Job Description

Job Title: Assistant Operation Manager

Location: On-site in Kendal, Cumbria

Salary: Competitive

About us:

Join one of Europe's fastest-growing nutrition success stories.

Kendal Nutricare creates world-class nutrition for every stage of life -- from Kendamil infant and toddler formula to Kendalife adult nutrition. We're a family-owned, purpose-driven business with big global ambitions.

In 2025, we were ranked the UK's fastest-growing food and drink company, with Kendamil now one of the fastest-growing baby brands in the world, the No.1 Organic formula in both the UK and USA, and available in 40+ countries (and counting).

As the only British infant formula manufacturer, we're proud to produce our award-winning products here in the UK using British full-cream milk, with no palm oil or unnecessary additives -- trusted by families worldwide.

We're on an exciting path - join us!

The role:

We are seeking a hands-on Assistant Operations Manager to support the Operations Manager in the daily delivery of production within a food manufacturing environment. This role plays a key part in ensuring consistent shift performance, full compliance with food safety and quality standards, and effective utilisation of people and equipment.

This is a full-time position based at our Kendal headquarters, working Monday to Friday, 8am - 4pm.

What you'll be doing:

Support the Operations Manager in day-to-day production delivery Ensure adherence to SOPs, GMP, food safety, and hygiene standards Monitor and manage KPIs including efficiency, yield, waste, downtime, and performance vs plan Lead and support shift teams to deliver safe, efficient production Act as a key link between shifts and cross-functional departments Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste and downtime reduction Support maintenance prioritisation and effective breakdown management Maintain audit readiness and support audits, investigations, and corrective actions Support team development, engagement, and succession planning Deputise for the Operations Manager when required

What you'll need:

Essential

Experience in a food manufacturing environment or similar production/industrial setting Strong understanding of production processes and operational KPIs Knowledge of GMP, food safety, H&S, and quality systems Proven leadership and people-management capability Confident communicator with an operational mindset

Desirable

Degree or HND in Manufacturing, Engineering, or equivalent experience Food safety and GMP training HACCP Level 2 or 3 Experience with infant food standards or willingness to develop

What you'll get from us:

The opportunity to work for the fastest growing infant milk brand in Europe, alongside a young talented team dedicated to serving thousands of passionate customers.

We offer to all our employees:

25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) A pension scheme Employee Assistance Programme Life Assurance at 2 x basic salary
Free parking
Subsidised breakfast Free gym membership
Health Cash Plan
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 35,000.00-40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension
Ability to commute/relocate:

Kendal LA9 6NL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

Engineering Management: 5 years (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Location:

Kendal LA9 6NL (preferred)
Work Location: In person