Factory Operations Manager

A fantastic opportunity to work with an ever-growing food group at one of their sites in Shropshire. They're looking for an experienced Operations Manager to join their team and be responsible for the factory and oversee production.

Role and Responsibilities

Customer Service

• Achieve 100% Service Level through fully achieving the daily production plan.
• Take full responsibility for the achievement of the production plan and ensure clear and timely communication of any service issues.
• Support the Site Director and Supply Chain Manager, clearly communicating in a clear and timely manner any production issues that may affect customer service levels.

Health and Safety

• Working closely with the Health & Safety team, take responsibility for health and safety. There is no higher priority than safety on site.
• Specifically maintaining high Health and Safety standards ensuring compliance with Health and Safety Policies and Procedures for both employees and contractors.
• Assist the Health and Safety team in achieving the completion of Risk Assessments.
• Take action regarding any Health & Safety issues seen or that are reported in a timely manner.

Quality

• To take full responsibility for the quality of the product produced on site through management of and compliance with quality systems.
• Ensure all quality checks and CCPs are completed as required. Drive a culture of quality and food safety within the factory and work with the Technical Manager, Site Director implementing Foods Quality culture plan.
• To demonstrate particular attention to the detail of the finished goods and strive to meet the required quality of the product and packaging.
• Ensure the condition and hygiene of the site facility is to the highest food manufacturing standard by communicating and working with the Hygiene Manager.
• Take action regarding any non-compliance issues that are seen or reported.
• Alongside the Technical Manager, ensure the site maintains and develops its BRC accreditation and other relevant standards and audits.
• To work with the Technical Team to ensure EHO and Food Legislation recommendation are met or exceeded.

People

• To take full responsibility for all people management activities including absence management, appraisals, discipline, grievances.
• To determine and ensure the achievement of the skills & training requirements of the team to fulfill current and future business needs.
• To lead, coach and motivate the team to achieve individual and departmental development. Provide coaching and support to the line management team on HR policies and employee relation matters.
• To develop and train direct reportee’s while addressing underperformance.
• To work on creating a strong team and taking overall responsibility for their actions.
• Facilitate and develop an open culture of proactivity where people take pride in what they do & feel a sense of involvement and self-worth.
• Lead by example having and generating a fair and consistent approach with all employees.

Factory Performance

• To take full responsibility for factory productivity and performance via measurement, monitoring and analysis of factory information including material loss, output, line utilisation, labour efficiency, quality, hygiene and energy.
• Deliver the factory production plans, support the completion of the plan and the maintenance of the systems with the Supply Chain Manager.
• Ensure targets are met for both labour cost percentage and absolute labour cost.
• Ensure a daily operational review takes place with all departmental managers to review daily KPI’s.
• Attainment to plan to be tracked through short interval control and any variance to plan reasons to be recorded, clearly communicated.
• Work with the Continuous Improvement Lead to drive improved performance within all areas and foster this approach within the site.
• Ensure all factory data is consistently completed and all required reports issued on time to the business. 
• Manage and actively reduce wastage and giveaway to set agreed targets for both product and packaging.
• Oversee the effective and efficient use of all equipment & machinery, ensuring optimum line performance is achieved. To make sure machinery is well maintained and looked after.
• Ensure any improvements to the site are undertaken in a cost-effective and timely manner.
• Identify and implement cost savings.
• To monitor and ensure that the appropriate team structure is in place for each department, resourced by the right number of people, to ensure that objectives are achieved with maximum efficiency.
• To ensure that Health and Safety performance is continually monitored and improved upon in terms of a reduction in Health and Safety related incidents.
• Work closely with the Engineering Manager to maximise plant performance and ensure the necessary maintenance is completed. Any other reasonable request from either the Site Director or Director.  

Projects / Expenditure:

• Ensure site discretionary spending is appropriate to the business needs (eg PPE)
• To oversee the successful launch of all new business. Paying particular attention to staffing, machinery, quality, and delivery.
• Identify projects and potential capital expenditure plans to develop the site to improve Safety, Quality, and Service and improve profitability.
• Manage and track the site projects with appropriate Site Director or Manager.

Key Skills

• Proven track record as Manufacturing Manager, Factory Manager or Operations Manager level within FMCG Manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years’ experience at least at this level.  
• Must have previous high-risk experience.
• Ideally some bakery experience.
• Commercial awareness IOSH Safety Certificate Advanced Food Hygiene and HACCP Certificate Experience of managing and leading large teams.
• Knowledge of industry related Health and Safety requirements.
• Successful track record of managing large teams. Excellent IT skills.