Join Our Site Leadership Team at IPL Whittlesey!
We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for an Operations Manager to become a vital part of our onsite leadership team at our House Plants & Flowers facility in Whittlesey. If you are passionate about Operational Leadership and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, this role is perfect for you!
Position Details:
• Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm
• Location: IPL Whittlesey - Site Based
• Contract Type: Permanent
Key Responsibilities:
The Operations Manager will report into the Site Director and you will play a pivotal leadership role in driving performance, efficiency, and continuous improvement across our site-based operations
• Leading Site Operations: Oversee and inspire a large, multi-functional team across the Packhouse and Warehouse, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and operational excellence.
• Performance Management: Deliver against agreed operational objectives, KPIs, and targets. Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement by ensuring all colleagues appreciate their contribution to success.
• Continuous Improvement: Champion initiatives that enhance Health & Safety, Compliance, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People performance—embedding a mindset of operational excellence.
• Cost Efficiency & Budget Oversight: Partner with the Site Director to monitor budgets and implement cost-saving initiatives through lean methodologies, resource planning, and process optimisation.
• Workforce Planning & Development: Collaborate with the HR Business Partner to shape a scalable workforce structure. Promote learning and development opportunities that empower colleagues and adopt career progression within operations.
• Safety & Compliance Leadership: Take ownership of Health & Safety and Food Safety standards across the Packhouse and Warehouse, ensuring full compliance with internal SOPs and regulatory requirements.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to adopt seamless operations and shared success.
• Culture & Values: Act as a role model for our company values—fostering a respectful, inclusive, and high-integrity environment where colleagues feel valued and proud to work.
What We Are Looking For:
• Extensive Leadership Experience: Demonstrated success in senior operational leadership roles within large-scale, fast-paced environments—ideally in Food Production, FMCG, or Pharmaceuticals—where agility and precision are critical.
• Operational Excellence in Complex Settings: Proven track record of managing high-volume, highly automated production or factory sites, delivering consistent results through robust operational strategies.
• Health & Safety Expertise: Strong working knowledge of Health & Safety practices within a production environment, with a proactive approach to risk mitigation and compliance.
• Professional Credentials: Holds relevant qualifications such as IOSH and Audit certifications, and is degree-qualified or possesses equivalent industry experience.
• Collaborative People Leadership: Significant experience partnering with HR Business Partners to lead diverse teams of both skilled and unskilled colleagues, fostering a culture of inclusion, engagement, and high performance.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in building and maintaining strong relationships with senior stakeholders—clients, customers, and internal leaders—using clear, tailored communication strategies.
• Safety Culture & Root Cause Analysis: A champion of safe working environments, with a track record of embedding root cause analysis into operational routines to drive sustainable improvements.
• Performance-Driven Leadership: Adept at leading high-performing teams through effective performance management frameworks, coaching, and continuous feedback.
• Resilience & Decision-Making: Thrives in dynamic environments, demonstrating sound judgment and adaptability when managing shifting priorities and complex challenges.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced IT literacy and technical skills, enabling data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency.
What's in it for you?
At IPL, Forza, and Kober, we're dynamic businesses, dedicated to fostering the development of our colleagues and creating an exceptional work environment. We believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration to drive our success. To continue our growth, we're seeking individuals who embody our values, culture, and commitment.
In return, we offer opportunities for professional development, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
🛒 15% Asda In-store Discount
💰 Annual Bonus Scheme
🌴 33 days Annual Leave - Inclusive of 8 days bank holiday
💼 Enhanced pension scheme
🛡️ Life Assurance - All our colleagues benefit from life assurance of 4 x their annual base salary
🩺 Help@hand - Free, direct access to health and wellbeing support service, including unlimited video consultations with a UK-based GP 24/7, physiotherapy, and mental health support
🤝 Grocery Aid - We’ve partnered with Grocery Aid to provide our colleagues and their families with a wide range of emotional, practical, and financial support services
🚗 Electric Vehicle Scheme*
📱 Asda Mobile Discount - 30% off a wide range of Asda Mobile bundles and add-ons for our colleagues and one of their family members
🩺 Discounted health assessments - We have exclusively negotiated rates on Self-Pay BUPA Health Assessments for you and members of your household
🐾 Asda Pet Insurance discount – Up to 10% Discount
🏠 Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) - MAB can provide fee-free*, no-obligation mortgage and protection advice
💱 Exclusive Exchange Rates via Asda Money - our colleagues can get a better exchange rate for their travel money when buying currency through Asda Travel Money (TravelEx)
🚴 Ride-to-work scheme - We work with Evans to provide our colleagues with great savings across their range of bikes, clothing, and equipment
🧑⚕️ Care Concierge - The Care Experts. Talk to us - we're listening - Legal & General’s Care Concierge resource
Plus, lots more! Depending on job band, other fantastic benefits are also available including private healthcare, car allowances, and long-term incentive schemes.
Like what you’ve read? Then do your research, update your CV, and once you’re ready, hit the apply button. Don’t delay, apply today! 🚀