UK - Ashford
General Services
Permanent contract
Ardo supplies its continuously growing markets around the world with high quality fresh frozen vegetables, herbs, and fruit with 3,200 employees and 16 production, packing & distribution sites in 7 different countries.
The family business sells in more than 100 countries and has a turnover of more than 1.4 billion euros.
The proximity of our factories to our crops is one of our key strengths and ensures that only minutes are lost between harvest and locking in the product’s natural goodness in our freezers.
Ardo's purpose is to preserve nature’s gifts for future generations by providing fresh frozen, plant-based food while minimising our impact on the planet.
Ardo achieves this goal thanks to an integrated network of growing areas, production units, freezing units, packaging equipment,logistics and stringent quality control.
The group's know-how and flexible structure ensure that it can respond quickly to the newest trends and that innovative products can be brought onto the market quickly.
Here’s what you’ll do:
This is a newly created and highly strategic leadership role designed to provide senior operational oversight across the company’s UK manufacturing footprint.
The successful candidate will take full operational responsibility for:
A high-volume frozen fruit and vegetable repacking facility in Ashford
A specialist frozen herb production site in Eye, Suffolk
The role will sit as part of the UK management team and will lead the Production, Engineering, Technical and Supply Chain functions across both locations.
The business is seeking an experienced operational leader capable of creating a highly engaged, performance-driven and inclusive culture focused on:
Safety
Service delivery
Operational excellence
Supply chain performance and optimisation
Quality standards
Continuous improvement
Cost control and profitability
This appointment represents a key strategic hire for the UK business and requires an individual who can provide strong leadership presence, operational rigour and cross-functional collaboration. A key focus of the role will be to strengthen and optimise supply chain operations across the UK sites, ensuring effective coordination between manufacturing, planning, logistics and customer requirements.
Site Overview
Ashford, Kent
The Ashford facility operates 5 production lines repacking frozen fruits and vegetables from bulk octobin storage into retail packaging.
The Site Director will hold full responsibility for:
Production
Engineering
Quality / Technical
Supply Chain
Operational performance
Site culture and engagement
The focus will be on ensuring service levels, efficiency, safety and quality standards are consistently achieved through a high-performing operational team.
Eye, Suffolk
The Eye facility specialises in frozen herb production.
The Site Director will oversee:
Production planning and execution
Quality and technical standards
Safety compliance
Cost performance
Supply chain coordination and planning
Cross-functional collaboration with the wider Herb Community including Agro, Technical and Engineering teams
Strong collaboration with wider Group support functions across multiple disciplines will also be required.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and oversee Production, Technical, Engineering and Supply Chain departments across both UK sites
Drive operational excellence through safety, quality, service, supply chain performance and productivity improvements
Create a high-performance and inclusive working culture across all functions
Develop and execute operational and supply chain plans aligned to business objectives and budgets
Strengthen supply chain capability across planning, inventory management, warehousing and logistics operations
Ensure effective coordination between manufacturing, customer demand and supply chain activity to optimise service delivery
Reduce operational and supply chain costs while improving productivity and efficiency across product lines
Ensure adherence to all Health & Safety and Environmental regulations
Set and communicate ambitious operational and production targets
Maintain strong communication and collaboration between all departments
Provide leadership, coaching, motivation and development to site teams
Escalate operational risks, issues or obstacles appropriately to the Group Manufacturing Director
Establish workflows and operational policies that improve efficiency without compromising product quality or integrity
Manage workforce planning and staffing schedules to optimise operational output
Maintain all production-related documentation and reporting systems
Ensure all products meet required customer specifications and quality standards
Develop production plans aligned to customer requirements and operational capabilities
Oversee the preparation and evaluation of production proposals
Manage site resources effectively to minimise downtime and maximise productivity
Deliver weekly and monthly KPI reporting related to operational performance, supply chain effectiveness and production costs versus standard
Represent the business professionally with customers and external stakeholders
This is where you recognize yourself:
Thorough understanding of food production processes, management obligations (including statutory obligations), requirements and dynamics
Excellent project management skills
Leadership with ability to drive a team
Proven track record of successfully training employees in productivity, continuous improvement and safety
Working knowledge of Health and Safety and Environmental regulations
Ability to coach and mentor employees on a one-on-one basis as well as a group
Good communication skills, with the ability to give messages up and down the organisation effectively.
Previous experience of working with SAP is desirable
What’s in it for you?
We offer you the opportunity to be part of an authentic and sustainable international company, with real growth opportunities and the freedom to actively participate in shaping the business and the opportunity to develop professionally.
You will receive a full remuneration package in line with the level of this position.
We care for our people and create family-friendly surroundings by offering flexibility work arrangements.
