Operations Director

Operations Director - Hands-On, High-Ownership RoleRhondda, South Wales (On-site, 5/2)£75,000 – £125,000+ package (wide band for exceptional operators)ThePetFoodPeople is a fast-growing manufacturer of award-winning pet food, supplements, and nutraceuticals. As we scale, we are now hiring an Operations Director who can build, lead, and transformthe operational engine of our company.Our visionary founder is driving a pipeline of major innovations, world-first formulations, international expansion, and investment in advanced production technology. To unlock this next stage of growth, we now need an exceptional operator who can take full ownership of the day-to-day operationandbuild the systems that will carry us forward.This isnota corporate role.This isnota job for someone who manages from a distance.This is a role for the rare operator who builds excellence from the inside out.You will be stepping into the company at a pivotal growth stage, early enough to make your mark, and late enough that the foundations are in place. This is a builder's role, where you will establish the structure, systems, and rhythm that will carry the business through its next phase of scale.If you've scaled operations in FMCG, food production, manufacturing, or high-growth start-up environments, and you enjoy rolling up your sleeves while creating structure and capability, this could be the defining role of your career.What You'll Own> Operational Leadership (Hands-On)You will take full ownership of the daily running of the site, ensuring production, support, and despatch operate with pace, discipline, and accuracy.You will:Ensure production schedules run on planResolve bottlenecks and breakdowns in real timeSupport despatch, stock control, and customer experience as neededSet daily priorities and lead from the floorMaintain consistent operational performance with no drift> People Capability & Team Development (Make, Support, Deliver)You will elevate the capability, confidence, and discipline of the operational team.You will:Lead the team shoulder-to-shoulder on the floor and in the officeBuild the Make > Support > Deliver team structureHire high-calibre talent as the business scalesSet clear expectations, standards, and accountabilityAddress underperformance directly and professionallyBuild a culture of ownership, pace, and pride> Strategic Execution & Operational Future-ReadinessYou will translate the company's strategic priorities into operational reality.You will:Increase capacity, throughput, and efficiencyBuild the systems, SOPs, and operating rhythms that make growth possibleLead FSQMS, hygiene, compliance, and site readinessDrive continuous improvement and lean adoptionMake the business structurally independent of key individualsPrepare the facility for greater scale, higher standards, and future automationWho You AreYou are the rare combination of builder, operator, and leader:Start-up + scale-up experience (non-negotiable)Have built operations with limited resources (non-negotiable)Hands-on operator first, leader-builder secondDirect, clear, and comfortable with paceExperienced in FMCG, manufacturing, food, or nutraceuticalsThrives in pressure, urgency, and high expectationsObsessed with making things better, cleaner, faster, sharperMotivated by building something elite in a place where nobody expects itWhy This Role MattersWe are not aiming for average.We are building a0.1% world-class operationin a sleepy Welsh valley where no one expects it.If that excites you, apply.If it intimidates you, it's not for you.