Operations Manager

The Arnott’s Group  

The Arnott’s Group portfolio of brands continues the 160-year legacy of the Arnott family, providing quality, great-tasting food to create delicious moments for consumers across the world.

About the Role

We’re seeking a proven Operations Manager to lead one of Arnott’s largest and most complex manufacturing sites. Based in Virginia, you’ll oversee a workforce of over 500 across 11 production lines, driving safety, quality, cost, and performance outcomes.  As part of the Site Leadership Team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping culture, embedding continuous improvement, and delivering against ambitious transformation goals — including capital investment programs.  This is an opportunity to influence site strategy, inspire a high-performing workforce, and grow your leadership career. 

The Perks

• Free onsite parking & discounted health insurance
• Bonus eligibility
• Discounted Arnott’s products
• Leadership development & clear progression pathways
• Play a key role in site transformation projects
• Join a long-tenured, passionate team who care deeply about what they do
  
  

What your days look like:

• Lead and inspire a large operations team — including Manufacturing Managers, Shift Managers and Continuous Improvement— to deliver on safety, quality, and performance goals
• Champion a strong safety culture by setting high standards and role modelling the behaviours we want across the site
• Drive delivery of the site production plan, ensuring resources, schedules, and capacity align with business demand
• Partner with Planning, Maintenance, Quality, and Safety leaders to resolve production challenges and optimise plant performance
• Lead site efficiency programs and relentlessly pursue waste reduction
• Actively engage with employees on the floor — listening, coaching, and creating feedback loops that build ownership and accountability
• Manage a significant operational budget, balancing cost control with a strong focus on safety and quality outcomes
• Play a key role in major site projects, including capital investment upgrading lines and embedding new technology
• Contribute to the broader Site Leadership Team, influencing culture change and supporting our journey toward a high-performance, engaged workforce

The ingredients for success:

• 10+ years’ experience in large-scale manufacturing, including 5+ years in senior leadership
• Proven ability to build high performing, engaged teams
• Strong background in food/FMCG manufacturing highly desirable
• Expertise in Continuous Improvement, lean manufacturing, safety and quality systems
• Resilience, adaptability, and exceptional communication skills
• Tertiary qualifications in engineering, food science or related discipline highly regarded

To Apply:  

If this sounds like your next opportunity, please follow the link and apply.    

We value diversity in our workforce. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please inform our team so that we can work together to support your needs throughout the recruitment process.  

*We do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies.