OPERATIONS AREA DIRECTOR

Tailor&Fox – your HR Business Partner, on behalf of a leading multinational services company , with a strong people-centric culture and a solid commitment to quality, and improvement , is looking to strengthen its Operations Area by recruiting an:

OPERATIONS AREA DIRECTOR – Food Industry

This profile will be accountable for the overall performance of a large, complex operational site in a fast-paced, time-critical environment.
The role ensures safe, efficient, high-quality end-to-end service delivery while leading the site through a significant transformation across strategy, organisation, people, processes, operating methods, and performance control systems.

The position combines a strong sense of urgency and hands-on operational leadership with a medium- to long-term strategic vision , ensuring immediate operational stability while building sustainable, structured, and scalable solutions.

The role carries full responsibility for operational excellence, financial sustainability, people leadership, regulatory compliance, ethical conduct, and customer satisfaction , in line with corporate standards, client requirements, and applicable local and international regulations.

The position oversees all activities related to production, warehousing and operations, internal logistics, and last-mile service delivery to external interfaces, with a workforce of approximately 300 employees.

Key responsibilities :

1. Overall Site Leadership

• Hold full accountability for the end-to-end management of the site, including production, operational logistics, transport services, and support functions.
• Ensure operational continuity, safety, quality, and on-time service delivery in a high-pressure, fast-moving operating environment.
• Act as the senior company representative towards clients, regulatory bodies, and local stakeholders.
• Ensure site operations are consistently aligned with corporate standards, contractual commitments, and customer expectations.

2. Financial Governance, Investments & Performance

• Own the site Profit & Loss and ensure long-term economic sustainability.
• Prepare and manage annual budgets and periodic forecasts in coordination with Headquarters.
• Define, prioritize, and manage site investment plans (CAPEX), ensuring alignment with operational needs, safety requirements, and return on investment.
• Monitor costs, productivity, service performance, and margins.
• Identify risks and drive corrective actions and cost-optimization initiatives without compromising quality, safety, or compliance.

3. Operations Management & Decision Making

• Define the operational organization model and production plans to meet demand, service levels, and efficiency targets.
• Lead and supervise site functional managers (e.g. Production, Quality, Transport, Maintenance, Logistics).
• Ensure consistent application of operational procedures, technical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage critical situations, disruptions, and operational emergencies with speed, clarity, and authority.
• Take timely and well-balanced decisions , including difficult and high-impact choices , in conditions of uncertainty and operational pressure.
• Evaluate and govern make-or-buy decisions related to production, logistics, and support activities, balancing cost efficiency, service quality, flexibility, and operational risk.

4. Workforce Planning & People Leadership

• Define and continuously review workforce planning in line with demand variability, productivity targets, and service requirements.
• Ensure optimal staffing models, shift structures, and skill mix to support operational performance and cost control.
• Directly manage the site leadership team and provide clear direction, priorities, and objectives.
• Set individual and functional goals aligned with business strategy and operational KPIs.
• Drive performance management, talent development, and succession planning.
• Promote a strong safety culture, accountability, and alignment with company values.

5. Change Management & Transformation

• Lead and govern complex change initiatives affecting organization design, operating models, processes, tools, methods, and control systems.
• Translate strategic direction into pragmatic and executable operational actions.
• Balance immediate operational fixes with the implementation of structured, long-term solutions.
• Act as a visible and credible change leader, engaging managers and employees through clarity, consi