Operations Manager

Reference: 4826090Job ID: 5413806Posted: 2026-09-09Closing date: 2026-12-07Location: BristolSalary: 50-60k plus benefits (per annum)Job type: PermanentWorking pattern: Full timeIndustry: Manufacturing & Production / Manufacturing and OperationsCompany: HaysConsultant: Graham SmithHays office: Southampton — Ground Floor, Clockwise, Mountbatten House, Grosvenor SquarePhone: 01202048611Email: View email address on click.appcast.io new company A leader in the healthfood and nutrients sector, with a growing stable of well-loved products sold through D2C and Retail channels. This brand is well established and going through an exciting period of sustained growth. Your new role As Operations Manager you will lead a team of approx 20 across Production and Warehouse functions. This is a hands-on role in a fast-moving environment, leading and supporting the teams, solving problems, and driving performance improvements. You will ensure all activities are completed safely, efficiently, and in line with customer requirements, with a clear focus on Quality. What you'll need to succeed You will have experience in a similar role, ideally in a Food / FMCG manufacturing business with solid foundations around Health & Safety and Food Safety standards. Your CV will demonstrate the ability to identify and deliver process improvements that help to improve measurable performance, capacity, and efficiency. You will be comfortable developing and using KPIs to understand performance, and any experience of improving data capture and use of dashboards is an advantage. Project work supporting capacity and efficiency gains is also useful; so experience of assessing layout and flow, assessing and adding automation, system upgrades etc is an advantage and should be detailed within your CV. Experience of liaising with Finance and Commercial Teams regarding Forecasting and Planning is an advantage, as is working in businesses where in-house capacity is supplemented by co-packers / co-manufacturing. This is a very people-focussed position, you will know how to lead with positivity and ambition, and enjoy developing a working culture that motivates and encourages people to succeed. It is also useful to have experience of BRC audits, Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement, HACCP level 3, Food Safety level 3, although training and support can be given. What you'll get in return This is an opportunity to take a key leadership position within an established but growing business, where there are genuine opportunities for ongoing career development. We are looking for someone who will enjoy setting the standards and supporting your teams in delivery of those standards. This is a B-Corp business with a purpose. The role is on-site Monday–Friday. What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. #4826090 - Graham Smith