Site Operations Manager - Co. Cavan

Site Operations Manager (Technical)

Role Overview
This role demands a leader with a solid technical foundation in food processing, particularly in canning and cooking operations. A technical qualification and hands-on experience in these areas are key, along with proven operational management expertise.

Reporting to the Group Operations Manager, the primary focus is on overseeing and improving daily plant operations, including production, quality, efficiency, and maintenance. The position is also responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant safety, quality, and environmental standards while driving organizational policies and strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Oversee and manage day-to-day operations across the assigned site and related activities, ensuring productivity and compliance with customer and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with the sales and planning teams to create and implement robust production and storage plans.
• Build and maintain customer relationships, addressing service, delivery, and quality requirements alongside the sales team.

Production and Performance

• Support new product initiatives and manage site resources in coordination with Group technical teams.
• Monitor production metrics daily, focusing on cost reduction, margin improvement, and achieving KPI targets.
• Implement and manage a preventative maintenance program to minimize equipment downtime and enhance productivity.
• Ensure production goals, yields, and quality standards are consistently achieved.

Budget and Planning

• Prepare and manage the site’s annual budget, tracking expenses and identifying areas for cost savings and capital improvements.
• Plan and oversee staffing and training requirements in line with HR and productivity standards, in collaboration with the Group Industrial Engineer.

Team Leadership

• Provide strong leadership across production teams to drive safety, quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct performance reviews, manage underperformance, and maintain accurate records following company policies.
• Foster a culture of safety, holding team members accountable for their responsibilities.

Compliance and Reporting

• Maintain compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Provide detailed reports on labour efficiency, absenteeism, recruitment, uptime/downtime, and agreed KPIs.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement using Lean tools and methodologies. Collaborate with the Group Lean Manager to reduce non-value-added activities and streamline processes.
• Develop and implement operational enhancements to boost efficiency, reduce inventory, and minimize costs.

Communication and Collaboration

• Act as a key liaison with departments including sales, quality, HR, safety, and logistics.
• Facilitate effective communication through regular team meetings, updates, and noticeboards.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong technical expertise in food processing, specifically canning and cooking processes.
• Proven experience in operations management within a manufacturing environment.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient in analyzing production metrics and driving performance improvements.

Key Partnerships

This role involves close collaboration with the following teams:

• Sales and planning
• Quality and technical specialists
• HR and safety teams
• NPD and logistics

This is a critical leadership role designed for an experienced professional who can balance technical knowledge with operational excellence while fostering a culture of safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement.