Plant Director

Laurenshekwerk; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global food manufacturing company is seeking a Plant Director to lead operations at the Haddenham site. This role involves developing teams, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards, and implementing a strategic plan aimed at continuous improvement. Ideal candidates will have a background in food technology or engineering, extensive experience in FMCG environments, and strong leadership skills. The position offers a full-time commitment in a multicultural environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in food manufacturing operations within FMCG environments.
• Experience leading major transformation projects is a plus.
• Results-driven and self-managed, with a hands-on approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Site Operations teams to deliver business goals.
• Ensure compliance with quality and food safety standards.
• Develop and implement a three-year strategic plan.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Continuous improvement

Cultural awareness

Excellent communication

Education

Graduate in Food Technology, Engineering, Science, or Supply Chain Logistics

Job description

Plant Director – Laurens Hekwerk West BV

Location: Haddenham, UK.

Reporting to the Director EMEA Flavour Solutions Operations & Supply Chain, the role will be responsible for leading and developing the plant. The scope of responsibility within manufacturing includes health & safety, production, material/inventory control, planning & scheduling, engineering and leadership of major projects, with around 120 employees overall.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Haddenham Site Operations teams to deliver business goals from a Safety, Quality, People, Service and Cost perspective.
• Continue to develop a positive, empowered Safety and Quality Culture on Site
• Lead the Journey To Excellence Programme to develop a Continuous Improvement Culture
• Develop and implement a three-year strategic plan, mobilizing resources to translate vision into action.
• Build strong relationships with Marketing, Engineering, Commercial, and R&D teams to understand business challenges and align operations with cost and efficiency objectives.
• Participate actively in the S&OP process to deliver superior cost, efficiency, and service performance.
• Manage working capital levels in line with business needs and commitments.
• Support commercial units through transformation, innovation, and service improvement initiatives.
• Lead a behavioural safety culture and, in collaboration with the EMEA HSE Manager, develop and deliver a three-year safety roadmap for the site.
• Ensure compliance with global and regional quality and food safety standards (AIB, BRC, EFSIS, ISO14001, etc.).
• Develop and deliver operational budget performance and COGS ownership, reporting results through agreed business KPIs.
• Identify and execute capital expenditure and cost optimization projects.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives, including lean manufacturing, TPM, and CCI programs aligned with EMEA and Global strategies.
• Identify and implement cost improvement projects across manufacturing and distribution.
• Lead talent development, succession planning, and performance management in partnership with HR Business Partners.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and foster a culture of high employee engagement.

Candidate Profile

• Graduate in Food Technology, Engineering, Science, or Supply Chain Logistics.
• Extensive experience in food manufacturing operations within international FMCG environments.
• Experience working within a range of business cultures; international assignment is a plus.
• Previous multi-country operating experience is a plus.
• Inspiring leader able to motivate, develop, and engage diverse teams.
• At ease to navigate in matrix organization and customer visits.
• Experience leading major transformation projects (e.g. plant construction, SAP implementation, acquisitions) is a plus.
• Strong background in TPM and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience working with Unions or Works Councils on significant organizational changes is a plus.
• Strategic thinker with strong business and financial acumen.
• Results-driven and self-managed, with a hands‑on approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to influence at all levels.
• Flexible and adaptable, capable of balancing strategic and operational priorities.
• Commercially focused, with proven ability to deliver performance through collaboration and innovation.
• Strong cultural awareness and ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Management. Industries: Strategic Management Services

How to Apply

Agencies: McCormick as needed will work with external recruitment vendors through our Agency Portal. Unless previously contacted, McCormick does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies.

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.