Director of Operations, Cumbria - £Six-Figure Executive Package
Grosvenor Talent has been exclusively retained to appoint a Director of Operations for a highly significant UK manufacturing and processing operation.

Our client is a market-leading organisation specialising in the sustainable processing of animal by-products (rendering) and food waste into value-added outputs, including pet food ingredients, agricultural products, and renewable energy.

With a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and circular economy principles, the business continues to invest in its infrastructure and operational capability. The Cumbria site represents one of the organisations most important assets, both in scale and strategic importance, serving as a key hub within a wider national and international network.

The Role

In this newly created role, reporting directly to the Group Operations Director, the Director of Operations will assume full accountability for the leadership and performance of the site.

This includes operational delivery, regulatory compliance, financial performance, and the ongoing development of a high-performing leadership team.

This is a broad and influential role requiring a balance of strategic oversight and hands on operational engagement.

The successful candidate will be expected to drive performance, enhance operational efficiency, and embed a culture centred on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The position also carries significant external interface, representing the organisation with regulatory authorities, local stakeholders, and the wider community.

Key Accountabilities

The Director of Operations will lead all aspects of site operations, ensuring the consistent achievement of business objectives and performance targets.

They will maintain rigorous standards across health, safety, environmental, and quality compliance, ensuring alignment with both regulatory requirements and internal governance frameworks.

A core focus will be on operational excellence, identifying opportunities to optimise processes, improve productivity, and manage cost effectively.

Equally important is the leadership dimension, with responsibility for building capability across all teams and fostering an engaged, accountable, and safety-led culture across the workforce.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking an experienced senior operations leader with a strong track record within animal by-products manufacturing / processing, or a very closely related industrial environment (eg abbatoirs, slaughterhouses, tanneries, meat packing and processing).

The successful candidate will demonstrate deep understanding of health, safety, environmental, and quality frameworks, alongside proven experience in driving operational improvement and managing complex site operations.

They will bring strong commercial awareness, coupled with the ability to operate both strategically and at a hands-on level. This is a hands on role. This role is based on site

Crucially, they will be an authentic and credible leader, capable of influencing at all levels, building trust with stakeholders, and leading teams through change and performance transformation.

My Client is seeking candidates with a steady employment history, not candidates with multiple short term moves, especially in recent years.

Take advantge of this remarkable opportunity to join my successful, growing, ambitious and entrepreneurial Client; apply with your CV today.

Director of Operations, Cumbria - £Six-Figure Executive Package