Plant Director

Top End jobs; England; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food production company in Haddenham, UK is seeking a Plant Director to lead operations for approximately 120 employees. The role involves enhancing safety, quality, and production while developing strategic plans and building strong interdepartmental relationships. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in food manufacturing within international FMCG environments, with strong leadership and transformation project skills. This strategic position offers a chance to influence operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in food manufacturing operations within international FMCG environments.
• Experience leading major transformation projects like plant construction and SAP implementation.
• Strong background in TPM and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop site operations teams to achieve business goals.
• Ensure compliance with global and regional quality and food safety standards.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives and identify cost improvement projects.

Skills

Leadership and team development

Process improvement

Safety management

Financial acumen

Education

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

Job description

Plant Director

Location: Haddenham, UK

Reporting to: Director EMEA Flavour Solutions Operations & Supply Chain

The Plant Director will lead and develop plant operations, overseeing safety, quality, production, inventory, engineering, and major projects for approximately 120 employees.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop site operations teams to achieve business goals in safety, quality, people, service and cost.
• 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 to 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 behavioural safety culture and, in collaboration with the EMEA HSE Manager, deliver a three‑year safety roadmap.
• Ensure compliance with global and regional quality and food safety standards (AIB, BRC, EFSIS, ISO 14001, etc.).
• Develop and deliver operational budget performance and COGS ownership, reporting results through agreed business KPIs.
• Identify and execute capital expenditure and cost optimisation 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.
• Inspirational leader able to motivate, develop and engage diverse teams.
• Comfortable navigating a matrix organization and customer visits.
• Experience leading major transformation projects (e.g. plant construction, SAP implementation, acquisitions).
• Strong background in TPM and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience working with Unions or Works Councils on significant organisational changes.
• 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.

How to Apply

Agencies: McCormick will work with external recruiting vendors through the Agency Portal. McCormick does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies unless previously contacted.

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 Confidence Scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.