Head of Operations

Role overview

Sofina Foods Europe is seeking a senior site leader to oversee performance at Carroll’s Cuisine in Tullamore. This position carries overall responsibility for site operations and calls for a leader who can strengthen performance, steer improvement initiatives, and guide a diverse team spanning production, engineering, supply chain, finance, technical, and people functions.

The opportunity suits an experienced manufacturing professional who is already working at, or is ready to move into, a Site Director, General Manager, or Head of Operations level role. You will have significant autonomy to influence outcomes, backed by support from the wider Sofina Group.

What you will do

• Turn the wider business plan into a practical site-level roadmap owned by the Site Leadership Team.
• Ensure delivery of production, people, and financial targets across the site.
• Spot opportunities to raise efficiency through better processes and targeted capital spend.
• Put strong governance in place and use KPIs to support performance improvement plans.
• Develop a culture that encourages accountability, empowerment, challenge, and ongoing improvement.
• Lead the site’s commitment to food safety, hygiene, GMP compliance, and a strong quality mindset.
• Maintain a safe workplace in line with health and safety policies and SHE objectives.
• Drive the site’s continuous improvement, Lean, and MANEX agenda using structured problem-solving.

What the employer is looking for

The ideal candidate is a commercially aware and strategic leader who performs well in demanding, fast-moving manufacturing settings.

• Graduate-level thinking with strong analytical judgement and decision-making skills.
• At least 10 years’ experience leading large FMCG or high-risk ready-to-eat food manufacturing operations.
• Background at Factory Manager, Operations Director, or another senior leadership level.
• Good practical understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methods.
• Knowledge of own-label manufacturing, retailer compliance standards, and short shelf-life product environments.
• Qualifications in health and safety and food hygiene.
• Ability to contribute across strategic planning, team development, change leadership, and commercial decision-making.

Benefits

• Company bonus scheme
• Company pension scheme
• Relocation assistance

Additional information

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Location: Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland

Working pattern: Full-time, on-site

Vacancy code: 5620BR

Reference: NOIND

About Sofina Foods

Sofina Foods is a major food business with more than 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe. The company focuses on delivering quality meat and seafood products, with an emphasis on innovation, sustainability, customer satisfaction, and responsibly sourced products from over 50 protein sources across five continents. Its goal is to become the world’s most successful food company.

Equal opportunities

Sofina Foods is committed to inclusive hiring and a diverse workplace. Applications are welcomed from people of all ages, disabilities, gender identities, marital or civil partnership statuses, pregnancy or maternity statuses, races, religions or beliefs, sexes, and sexual orientations.

Why this role stands out

This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who wants to shape the future of a dynamic site while balancing strategic ownership with hands-on operational leadership.