About Freshly Prep'd
Freshly Prep'd is a fast-growing food manufacturing business based in Belfast, producing fresh, high-protein, chef-prepared meals for retailers, wholesale partners and direct consumers.
Founded with a simple belief that convenience should never mean compromise, we create nutritious meals that help busy individuals and families eat well without sacrificing taste, quality or convenience.
Since launching, we have grown from a small local operation into one of Northern Ireland's fastest-growing chilled meal manufacturers, supplying leading retailers and foodservice partners, Such as Spar, Tesco, Centra, Supervalu, Lidl & Aldi while continuing to invest in innovation, quality and operational excellence.
Today, our team produces thousands of meals every week from our Belfast facility, with ambitious plans to expand both our product range and market reach across the UK and Ireland.
We are not a large corporate manufacturer. We are an entrepreneurial, ambitious and fast-moving business where decisions are made quickly, improvement is encouraged, and great ideas can have a real impact.
As we enter our next phase of growth, we are investing heavily in our people, systems and infrastructure. This role represents a unique opportunity to help shape the future of the business, build operational excellence and play a key role in our journey towards becoming one of the leading fresh prepared meal manufacturers in the UK and Ireland.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Head of Operations will be responsible for the overall performance of the manufacturing operation, ensuring the business consistently delivers against production, quality, safety, service and financial targets.
This is not a role for someone who simply wants to maintain existing processes.
We are looking for a hands-on operational leader who can develop people, build systems, implement standards and create the operational structure required to support continued growth.
The successful candidate will oversee day-to-day operations whilst driving long-term improvements across production, planning, logistics, stock control, quality, reporting and team development.
You will be a key member of the senior leadership team and will play a critical role in helping the business scale over the coming years.
Why This Role Matters
The successful candidate will be one of the most important hires we make.
As a member of the senior leadership team, you will have the opportunity to influence the future direction of the business, strengthen our operational capability and build the foundations required to support our long-term growth ambitions.
This is an opportunity for an ambitious operational leader to leave a lasting mark on a growing business, implement meaningful change and help create a best-in-class food manufacturing operation.
Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Accountability
- Lead, manage and develop managers, team leaders and operational staff.
- Create a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
- Set clear expectations, objectives and performance standards across all operational departments.
- Coach, mentor and develop future leaders within the business.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and management meetings.
- Build a high-performing team capable of supporting future growth.
Building Systems & Standards
- Develop, implement and embed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all operational functions.
- Establish clear operational standards, reporting structures and accountability measures.
- Create systems that improve visibility, communication and performance management.
- Introduce best practices across production, planning, stock control, logistics and resource management.
- Build scalable processes capable of supporting significant future growth.
Operational Performance
- Oversee all day-to-day manufacturing operations.
- Ensure production plans are delivered safely, efficiently and on time.
- Monitor and improve key performance indicators across labour, waste, efficiency, quality and customer service.
- Drive productivity improvements whilst maintaining the highest standards of quality and food safety.
- Identify operational risks and implement effective corrective actions.
Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives throughout the business.
- Apply Lean Manufacturing principles to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
- Evaluate current workflows and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Drive projects that improve productivity, profitability and operational performance.
- Promote a culture of innovation, ownership and operational excellence.
Food Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality and legal requirements.
- Maintain and improve standards in line with HACCP, SALSA and customer requirements.
- Support internal and external audits.
- Promote a strong food safety and health & safety culture throughout the business.
- Work closely with the technical team to maintain best-in-class standards.
Strategic Delivery
- Translate business objectives into actionable operational plans.
- Support delivery of company growth, profitability and customer service targets.
- Monitor progress against strategic objectives and key projects.
- Lead operational projects including facility improvements, equipment installation, process automation and new product launches.
- Work closely with the Managing Director to execute the company's growth strategy.
Skills & Experience
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior operational leadership role within food manufacturing.
- Proven experience leading operational teams and developing people.
- Experience implementing systems, standards and process improvements.
- Demonstrable track record of delivering measurable operational improvements.
- Strong understanding of food safety, quality and compliance requirements.
- Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving capability.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills.
- Food Safety Level 4.
- HACCP Level 4.
- IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent.
Desirable
- Experience within chilled food manufacturing.
- Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement qualifications.
- Experience with ERP, MRP or production planning systems.
- Mechanical or engineering knowledge.
- Experience supporting a rapidly growing business.
What We Offer
- £55,000 - £60,000 salary dependent on experience.
- Performance-related bonus.
- Company vehicle (or vehicle allowance).
- Company pension scheme.
- Free meals during shifts.
- Employee discount on products.
- On-site parking.
- Company events.
- Ongoing professional development opportunities.
- The opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing and ambitious food manufacturing business.
Benefits
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Referral programme
- On-site parking
- Casual dress
- Company events
No Agency Contact Please
We are handling this recruitment campaign internally and are not seeking support from recruitment agencies at this time.
We kindly ask that recruitment agencies refrain from contacting us regarding this vacancy.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £55,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Store discount
Experience:
- Operations management: 5 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
