Emma Symonds

Director

Contact

emma@truenorthtalent.co.uk

Authority Statement

Emma Symonds is Director of True North Talent and a leading specialist in Food and Drink Manufacturing recruitment, with 20 years’ experience in permanent and interim hiring, executive search and talent strategy, supporting organisations and senior leaders across the UK food, drink and manufacturing sectors.

Bio

I have over 23 years' experience recruiting permanent professionals across middle/senior management and exec level roles within Operations, Technical/Quality, NPD, Commercial, Supply Chain and Engineering and Continuous Improvement.

I love being a part of the ever-evolving Food and Drink manufacturing industry in the UK and Europe.

Throughout my years of experience I've had the privilege of connecting talented professionals with exciting opportunities that fuel their careers.

What drives me? My relationships are so important to me. I want to work in partnership with businesses with similar values to ours. I have built my reputation on integrity and honesty and this will never change.

Outside of work I am a busy Mum who is always trying to balance my priorities and it never gets easier, but I thrive on a challenge. Everything I do is for my little boy and I want to show him that hard work pays off!

I am also married to another recruiter so that is a challenge in itself! 😉

Dream dinner party trio:

Elton John
David Beckham
Adele

On the menu:

Grilled Halloumi with sweet chilli sauce
Fillet steak with peppercorn sauce, chips and vegetables
Lemon Tart

...then I would ask Adele and Elton John to entertain!

Get in touch with Emma .

Use this form to send us a message, and we’ll get back to you shortly.

Testimonials.

Emma was great - she checked in regularly and gave me all the information I need to make the transition into a new role seamless.

Very friendly and professional service.

Head of Technical

1/17

Emma Symonds has been an absolutely pleasure to work with!. She was friendly, personable and asked thought provoking questions to ensure I was well suited for the organization.

Would highly recommend connecting with Emma.

General Manager

1/17

I had the pleasure of working with Emma at True North, and I can't recommend her highly enough. From the very first conversation, Emma was incredibly professional, engaging, and attentive. Emma took the time to really understand not just my background and skillset, but also my long-term aspirations.

Emma's commitment to finding a role that was the right fit – not just any job, was key for me. She listened carefully, and matched me with an opportunity that aligned perfectly with both my experience and where I wanted to go professionally.

Communication throughout the process was impeccable right up to my first day in role and follow up checkins. So, If you're looking for a recruiter who truly cares and goes the extra mile, I highly recommend Emma and the team at True North.

General Manager

1/17

Contacted by Emma regarding a position, regular contact throughout the whole process from screening right through to final interview and contract negotiations with my new employer.

Would highly recommend.

Head of HSE

1/17

Emma and the team have been brilliant in supporting me into a new role. I highly recommend and will definitely use their services again.

Thank you.

Head of Operations

1/17

Emma has been amazing in helping me secure my latest role. She is really attentive, listens and understands what you need. Her warm and friendly natures means she’s incredibly easy to talk to and even after the role is secured, she enjoys to catch up with you to make sure everything is OK.

Thanks Emma for all your help.

Senior Factory Manager

1/17

Emma has placed a number people into our business including recently 2 site leads. On every occasion she has taken the time to fully understand our business and the specific needs of the roles. She is very well connected across the industry and her extensive experience in recruitment really shows.

When necessary she has actively listened to feedback from early candidates when proposing more candidates for consideration. Emma handles all recruitment in a professional manner making working with her easy.

I am also aware that Emma always works professionally with potential recruits as well as the organisation she is recruiting for.

Group Operations Director

1/17

From the first time I enlisted TNT’s help I was impressed by the way they took the time to listen to what you really needed for your role and how you liked to work. They deliver not only a best in class professional service but also a personalised service that works for, and with, you every step of the way.

Whether I am looking for an interim or a permanent role I have only ever had CV’s from them that I instantly want to progress to interview and most often to offer. I don’t hesitate to recommend them for all your recruitment needs.

Head of NPD

1/17

I have recently worked with Emma at True North Talent to secure my current role and I couldn't be more grateful for all her support and professionalism. For one reason or another my recruitment process was longer than anticipated but thanks to Emma the whole experience was stress free, ensuring continuous communication with myself and the hiring business throughout.

Emma is extremely personable and a pleasure to work with, if ever I am searching for a new job, True North will be the first place I turn to.

Commercial Account Manager

1/17

I highly recommend True North Talent! Emma found me via LinkedIn, and I had a great experience working with her; she supported me through each stage of the recruitment process and helped me to secure a role I am now very excited to start.

Thank you Emma!

Procurement Manager

1/17

I recently had the pleasure of working with both Amy and Emma to secure my new role and they were fantastic from start to finish.

In preparation for my interviews they were good at telling more about the process and people who I was meeting and upon receiving my offer they were really easy to work with on ensuring it was best for both parties.

National Account Manager

1/17

I’ve worked with Emma for many years across several assignments and she is always true to her word, operating at pace, maintaining total professionalism with trust and integrity.

Emma balances the requirements of the business whilst recognising the needs of the candidate too. Emma always maintains regular and prompt communication throughout each assignment and has the uncanny knack of always keeping your interests first and foremost.

Operations Director

1/17

I worked with Emma at True North Talent recently and she secured me my new role. The service and the professionalism from Emma was outstanding.

The role is exactly what I was looking for and I was kept me up to date and regularly checked in with throughout the entire process. Will definitely be using True North Talent again. Thanks Emma!

HR Business Partner

1/17

Emma was brilliant! Secured a fantastic role with an excellent company very quickly.

Highly Recommended - Thank-you.

NPD & Process Development Manager

1/17

What a fantastic service and support from True North Talent. Emma kept me updated throughout the recruitment process and most of all the support provided was second to none. I have dealt with many recruitment companies over the past few years and none have lived up to the services True North offer. They were professional throughout and most importantly kept it friendly and supportive.

A big thank you to Emma for helping me secure a dream job.

Head of Engineering

1/17

Working with Emma to secure my new position has been fantastic. From the beginning all the way through to starting my new role Emma has been engaging, easy to talk to and full of enthusiasm. Communication and industry knowledge absolutely first class.

If you have the chance to work with True North Talent, don’t let it pass you by.

Project Engineering Manager

1/17

Working with Emma was a good experience. She was quick to provide information and answers my calls or called back same day.

Factory Manager

1/17

Emma's Jobs

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FEATURED

SUPPLY CHAIN

Head of Supply Chain Operations

Fochabers, UK

Six figure package

Permanent

Six Figure package | Fochabers | Site-based with travel

The Opportunity

This is a senior leadership opportunity to shape the supply chain strategy of Baxters Food Group, an established food manufacturer with a strong heritage and operations across Europe.

With responsibility for production planning, customer service, logistics and distribution and inventory, you will create a more connected, responsive and efficient supply chain that supports both customer service and the Group’s wider strategic ambitions.

The Role

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will lead Baxters’ European supply chain operations function, with accountability for production planning, customer service, logistics and distribution.

In this role, you will:

Develop and implement the European customer service and logistics strategy, establishing clear priorities, performance measures and standards. Lead production planning across multiple manufacturing sites, creating greater transparency, stability and consistency. Own the master production schedules, working closely with Factory General Managers to align capacity, resources and supply requirements. Manage third-party logistics relationships, driving improvements across cost, service, compliance and sustainability. Establish and manage meaningful supply chain KPIs, using data to explain performance, anticipate risk and inform better decisions. Champion the use of Oracle ASCP to create more reliable, repeatable and effective planning processes. Ensure supply chain considerations are embedded within new product launches, supporting effective execution and speed to market. Lead, coach and develop teams across customer service, logistics and production planning, creating greater accountability and collaboration. Take ownership of relevant budgets and cost centres, balancing customer service, operational efficiency and working capital requirements.

The Challenge

This is not a role focused solely on maintaining existing processes. You will need to connect supply chain activity across multiple sites, challenge established ways of working and create a clearer, more consistent operating model.

You will work with experienced and confident operational stakeholders, so you must be comfortable challenging constructively, influencing at senior level and turning complex operational data into clear commercial insight.

About You

We’re looking for someone with:

Essential

Senior supply chain leadership experience gained within food, drink or another fast-paced manufacturing environment. Broad experience across production planning, logistics, distribution and customer service.
Experience leading supply chain activity across multiple manufacturing sites.
A strong track record of improving supply chain processes, performance and service levels.
The credibility and confidence to influence Directors, senior managers and operational leaders.
Strong commercial awareness, including experience managing budgets, costs, service performance and working capital.
Proven experience leading, coaching and developing supply chain teams. The ability to lead change and continuous improvement initiatives through to measurable results.
Desirable

Experience supporting a European or international supply chain network.
Knowledge of Oracle ASCP or a comparable advanced planning system.
Experience improving third-party logistics performance and supply chain sustainability.
Involvement in new product introduction and supply chain innovation.
About Baxters Food Group

Baxters Food Group is an established food manufacturer with a proud heritage, recognised brands and operations across the UK and Europe.

This role is based at the company’s Fochabers site in Moray and offers an experienced supply chain leader the opportunity to make a visible impact on customer service, operational performance and long-term strategy.

Working pattern: Predominantly site-based in Fochabers, with travel across the wider Group as required

Importantly, this is an opportunity to shape a significant European supply chain function and influence how Baxters approaches planning, customer service, logistics and distribution for the future.

We are seeking applications from talented Heads of Supply Chain, Supply Chain Directors, Heads of Supply Chain Operations, Logistics Directors, Planning Directors and Customer Service and Logistics Directors who live within or can relocate to Fochabers, Elgin, Keith, Huntly, Inverness, Aberdeen or the surrounding areas of Moray and North East Scotland.

Interested?

If you’re an experienced supply chain leader within the food and drink/FMCG manufacturing sector and this sounds like the kind of opportunity you’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply directly to our retained consultant Emma Symonds at True North Talent for a confidential conversation about the role, quoting Ref No ES/TNT/3403.

We may hold your data, as per the privacy policy detailed on our website.

We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.

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