Factory General Manager

Factory General Manager

Location: Ashford

Established in 1957, our Ashford site is home to some of the UK’s most iconic food brands, including Paxo, Batchelors, Angel Delight and Birds. Today, the site operates two highly automated manufacturing centres, producing over 300 products across 21 production lines, supported by a skilled and committed workforce of around 420 colleagues.

Following an internal promotion, we are delighted to offer the opportunity for an experienced General Manager to join our team.  As Factory General Manager, you will have full accountability for the performance, safety and future success of the site. You will lead all aspects of day‑to‑day operations while shaping and delivering a clear 5‑year strategic vision, working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders across the business.

At Premier Foods, we’re proud of our people‑first culture. This role offers the opportunity to lead in an environment where colleagues are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, take pride in what they do, and grow their careers while delivering outstanding results.

What you’ll be doing

• Creating and sustaining a safe, inclusive working environment, leading a strong behavioural safety culture to reduce accidents and near misses
• Ensuring food safety, quality and GMP standards are consistently achieved, reviewed and continuously improved
• Championing the site HACCP programme, ensuring appropriate resource, governance and review
• Driving reductions in customer complaints and waste through effective maintenance strategies and continuous improvement
• Establishing robust performance review mechanisms to support delivery of objectives at site, team and individual level
• Owning the site talent and succession agenda, developing current and future leaders
• Actively fostering a culture of engagement, accountability and high performance, where people can do their best work
• Developing and delivering a 5‑year Factory strategy, with clear tracking and governance to ensure progress
• Aligning functional structures, objectives and KPIs to deliver Business and Operations strategies
• Leading a cost reduction programme through cross‑functional collaboration
• Delivering a capital investment programme that supports the long‑term vision of the site
• Managing relationships with Local Authorities, Regulatory Bodies and Trade Unions, delegating appropriately to site experts
• Steering continuous improvement initiatives from concept through to delivery
• Ensuring clear, transparent and effective site‑wide communications, delivered through structured briefings
• Taking accountability for key site decisions, including safety, quality, capital and overhead spend, senior recruitment and employee relations matters

What we need from you

• Significant senior operational leadership experience within FMCG or a comparable manufacturing environment
• A proven track record of leading large, multi‑functional teams to deliver strategic and operational goals
• Experience of succeeding in complex, fast‑paced and changing environments
• Strong commercial capability, with experience of building and delivering robust operational budgets
• Demonstrable success in identifying and implementing manufacturing and operational improvements
• Experience of leading transformation and cultural change
• Proven project management capability across continuous improvement, operational efficiency and major capital projects
• The ability to coach, mentor and role‑model the behaviours and values required for success
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills at all levels
• Well‑developed negotiation skills, with experience of working constructively with Trade Unions

What we offer you in return

• Highly competitive salary
• Car allowance
• On‑target bonus
• Generous pension contribution
• A comprehensive range of corporate benefits

At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome. 

We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.