Operational Performance Partner

Operational Performance Partner

Pléchâtel (FR) | CDI | Full-time | Site-based We’re excited to be recruiting for an Operational Performance Partner to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced operational finance professional, perfect for someone passionate about using financial insight to drive operational excellence, performance improvement, and business growth within a manufacturing environment.

About us

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, well-established, and award‑winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our family of brands includes Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher's, Classic, Pro‑Nutrition, and Ultra Premium Direct, along with a number of partner brands that trust us to produce food on their behalf. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel, and Crick produce a wide range of dry, wet, and baked foods enjoyed by dogs and cats all over the world. Our ambition is simple: to become a global leader in pet nutrition.

Responsibilities

• Partner with factory leadership teams to understand operational performance and develop meaningful reporting that supports decision‑making.
• Build understanding of key factory cost drivers, including labour, materials, and fixed costs, explaining performance variances and identifying improvement opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relevant KPIs that provide clear visibility of factory performance.
• Analyse operational and financial data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Challenge performance constructively, working with operational teams to agree and deliver improvement actions.
• Improve reporting processes and ways of working to ensure information is accurate, relevant, and valuable to site leadership.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning activities in collaboration with operational teams.
• Collaborate with finance and operational colleagues across the UK and France, sharing best practice and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain a strong presence within the factory to understand processes, build relationships, and identify opportunities to improve operational performance.
• Present performance insights clearly to stakeholders, turning complex data into actionable recommendations.

About you

• Previous experience in a manufacturing environment is essential, with a strong understanding of factory operations and production cost drivers.
• Experience in operational finance, manufacturing finance, controlling, cost accounting, or a similar business‑partnering role.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, investigate root causes, and translate findings into practical actions.
• Confident using reporting tools and systems to analyse and communicate performance information.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and challenge constructively.
• Commercially minded, curious, and comfortable working at both strategic and operational levels.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to manage priorities and work autonomously.
• Passion for continuous improvement and identifying better ways of working.
• Comfortable with occasional travel across UK and France sites.

Language Requirements

• French fluency is essential, as this is a Pléchâtel‑based operational business‑partnering role. The successful candidate will work closely with French‑speaking site leadership teams and operational colleagues and must be comfortable presenting performance insights, influencing stakeholders, supporting budgeting activities, and communicating on a daily basis in French.
• Strong professional English skills are required, as the role is part of an international Operational Finance team and includes regular collaboration with UK‑based finance and operational stakeholders.
• Applications from candidates who do not speak French fluently will not be considered.

Benefits

• Hybrid and flexible working policy
• Annual bonus linked to individual and company performance
• Company‑funded private healthcare (100% employer‑paid health insurance)
• Additional retirement savings scheme
• People and Pets First benefits, including discounts across our product range
• Dog‑friendly workplace – bring your dog to work
• Opportunities for development and growth within an international business

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the colleagues and communities we serve. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We make hiring decisions based on talent, potential and the experience you bring.

We are also committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring equitable access and opportunity for all. If you need any adjustments or support to take part in our recruitment process, please let us know by emailing #INDHP.