General Manager

Description:

Why Greencore?
Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we're one of the UK's leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make everyday taste better.
As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we're proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between. In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn.
Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop.
Here in Consett, we have a team of around 280 colleagues. We produce a range of chilled ready meals for some of the UK's leading retailers, including Co-op, Sainsbury's and Weight Watchers.

What you'll be doing
As General Manager, you will lead and inspire teams across our Consett site, driving operational excellence, delivering key performance targets, and ensuring exceptional customer outcomes through a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement

Proven operational leadership experience, ideally within FMCG or a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Track record of leading large, multi-disciplinary teams (HR, Finance, Commercial, Technical) within a matrix organisation, influencing stakeholders and driving cultural change.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate teams and consistently deliver results.
Experience leading safety programmes, supported by IOSH/NEBOSH (or equivalent) and relevant site-specific safety training.
In-depth knowledge of food safety, hygiene, GMP, legislative compliance, environmental standards, and ethical practices, including modern slavery and customer requirements.
Strong understanding of colleague engagement, external stakeholder management, and community, retailer, consumer, and media relationships.
Experience with pay negotiations, Trade Unions, employee forums, and agency labour management is desirable.
Commercially astute with an understanding of retail market trends, consumer behaviour, product costings, P&L management, budgeting, and cost control.
Solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain operations, key customers, and suppliers.
Proven ability to lead business improvement, change, CAPEX, and investment projects.
Strong knowledge of modern manufacturing practices and technology.
What we're looking for
We're not all the same at Greencore and our differences help us to make every day taste better for all our stakeholders. We truly put our people at the core and are proud of our diversity.

Demonstrable operational leadership experience, ideally in a fast moving consumer goods environment
Experience leading large and multi discipline teams e.g HR, Finance, Commercial, Technical ideally in a matrix organisation, influencing a broad range of stakeholders to lead change and enhance culture
Dedication to ensure goals are achieved and the team stays motivated and focused
Experience having lead safety programmes, underpinned by IOSH/NEBOSH or equivalent and specific safety critical training appropriate to the site e.g., legionella duty holder training
Understanding of and experience relating to ethical codes of practice and standards, informed on modern slavery and customer standards
In depth understanding of food safety, hygiene, legislative requirements, and experience with GMP, operating a food safe factory to deliver robust compliance training delivery
In depth understanding of external environmental requirements and experience operating a facility in line with legislative expectations
Understanding of engagement drivers - colleague experience and external stakeholders (press/communities/retailers /consumers/public)
Experience having led pay negotiations, worked with Trade Unions and employee forums, and having managed an agency supply provision desirable
Understanding of the external market factors impacting retailers and consumer trends and demonstratable financial acumen and experience having built product costings
Demonstratable experience managing a P&L and understanding of levers and drivers or costs, having built, set, and managed budgets across a range of disciplines
Understanding of supply chain end to end, key customers, and suppliers at site level
Experience identifying and leading business change and improvements, including capex and investment projects
Understanding of modern manufacturing practices and technologyIf this sounds like you, join us and grow with Greencore, and be a part of driving our future success.

What you'll get in return

Competitive salary and job-related benefits, including bonus, car allowance and medical cover.
Holidays
Competitive matched pension contributions
Life insurance up to 4x salary
Company share save scheme
Greencore Qualifications
Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform
Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform
Enhanced parental leave and menopause policiesThroughout your time at Greencore, you will be supported with on the job training and development opportunities to further your career.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement before the stated closing date.
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