Our client is an established and successful food manufacturing business specialising in high-quality, ready-to-heat meal solutions. Operating within a complex, fast-paced production environment, the business services a diverse customer base with an extensive range of products.

With a team of approximately 55 employees and ambitious plans for the future, the organisation is looking to strengthen its leadership capability through the introduction of a newly created General Manager position.

The Opportunity

Reporting into the Senior Leadership Team, this is an opportunity for an experienced, commercially minded operational leader to take ownership of the day-to-day running of the business, driving operational excellence whilst ensuring performance remains closely aligned with broader commercial objectives.

This is very much a hands-on leadership position. You'll be equally comfortable reviewing business performance and identifying opportunities for improvement as you are spending time on the production floor, engaging with employees and understanding the operational challenges firsthand.

Acting as the key link between the Senior Leadership Team and the wider business, you'll play an important role in developing a high-performing, accountable and positive workplace culture.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading day-to-day operations across a complex food manufacturing environment, ensuring quality, efficiency and customer delivery expectations are consistently achieved.
• Translating commercial objectives into operational plans, measurable outcomes and clear performance expectations.
• Identifying opportunities to improve productivity, manage costs, reduce waste and strengthen overall business profitability.
• Providing visible, approachable leadership across the workforce, building engagement, capability and accountability at all levels.
• Overseeing operational planning, resource allocation and production performance across a diverse product and customer portfolio.
• Driving continuous improvement across systems, processes and ways of working, whilst maintaining high standards of food safety, quality and compliance.
• Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team to provide meaningful operational insights, identify opportunities and support the organisation's continued growth.

About You

We're looking for a commercially astute, people-focused leader who enjoys being close to the operation and takes genuine pride in developing teams and improving business performance.

You'll bring demonstrated success in an operational leadership or general management capacity, ideally within food manufacturing, FMCG or another complex, production-led environment.

Experience within cook-chill manufacturing, particularly across multiple customers and a diverse SKU portfolio, would be highly regarded, although we're equally interested in speaking with individuals who can demonstrate transferable experience and a strong track record of results.

Importantly, you'll bring:

• Proven experience leading operational teams and delivering measurable improvements in business performance.
• Strong commercial acumen, with an understanding of the relationship between operational efficiency, cost management, customer outcomes and profitability.
• A hands-on, visible leadership style, with the ability to build credibility and trust across all levels of an organisation.
• Experience managing operational complexity, competing priorities and customer expectations.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with practical execution and sound day-to-day decision-making.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to challenge existing processes and introduce meaningful improvements.

What's on Offer

This is an opportunity to make a genuine impact within an established business that values its people, takes pride in its products and is committed to continued improvement and growth.

With the support of an engaged Senior Leadership Team, you'll have the opportunity to shape operational performance, develop the team and play a meaningful role in the organisation's next chapter.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Hayley Morrison at Perigon Group on 0458 006 964, or apply directly with your resume.