Shift Operations Manager, Tullamore

Summary Drive performance, lead from the factory floor and shape the future of a fast‑paced food manufacturing operation.

Additional Benefits Company Bonus Scheme, Company Pension Scheme, Discounted or Free Food

The Role Our new Shift Operations Manager will play a critical leadership role within a complex, high-volume food manufacturing environment, reporting directly to the Head of Operations. This is a highly visible, hands‑on operational leadership position, responsible for end‑to‑end production management across both low‑risk and high‑risk manufacturing areas within a busy 24/7 operation.

Spending significant time on the factory floor, you will lead operational performance, coach and develop teams, drive safety and quality standards, and ensure production targets are consistently achieved across multiple processing and packing lines. This role will suit an experienced FMCG manufacturing leader who thrives in fast‑paced environments, enjoys building strong operational cultures and is comfortable balancing people leadership with process discipline and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the site’s ongoing operational transformation, helping to further align standards, behaviours and performance with wider Sofina Foods Europe operational excellence principles.

Your Key Responsibilities

Managing end‑to‑end production operations across both low‑risk and high‑risk manufacturing areas

Driving KPI performance across safety, quality, labour efficiency, yield, downtime and service delivery

Leading daily operational activity through hands‑on floor presence, pre‑start meetings and production reviews

Managing and developing a team of Supervisors across multiple departments and production shifts

Creating a strong safety‑first culture with clear accountability and high operational standards

Ensuring GMP, recipe compliance, traceability and quality standards are maintained throughout all processing cycles

Supporting continuous improvement initiatives across labour utilisation, waste reduction, line efficiencies and operational flow

Working closely with Technical, Engineering, Planning and Supply Chain teams to deliver operational targets

Managing production across a range of automated and manual processes including slicing, thermoforming, packing and cooking operations

Supporting customer, retailer and third‑party audits and maintaining strong compliance standards across the site

Leading people management activity including coaching, performance management and disciplinary processes where required

Driving operational consistency and engagement within a unionised manufacturing environment

The Ideal Candidate You will be an experienced Operations or Production Manager with a strong background in fast‑paced manufacturing environments and a genuine passion for operational excellence, people leadership and continuous improvement.

You Will Ideally Bring

Proven operational leadership experience within food manufacturing, FMCG or other highly regulated production environments

Experience managing high-volume production operations within low-risk and ideally high-risk manufacturing environments

Strong understanding of world‑class manufacturing standards, GMP compliance and food safety requirements

Experience leading large operational teams within fast‑paced shift‑based environments

A hands‑on leadership style with the ability to build credibility and presence on the factory floor

Strong people management capability, including coaching, performance management and culture improvement

Experience delivering operational improvement projects focused on efficiency, waste reduction and process optimisation

Knowledge of lean manufacturing methodologies including 5S, continuous improvement and waste elimination

Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability including RCA and preventative action planning

The ability to influence and engage diverse teams across varying levels of experience and backgrounds

Experience within unionised environments would be highly advantageous

Meat or protein industry experience would be advantageous

Equal Opportunities Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Schedule 12 Hour Shift, Day Shift

Location Tullamore, County Offaly

Hours of Work Full-time

Company Sofina Foods

Country Code IE

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