Production & Warehouse Lead - Wincanton

Purpose of the role:

The Production & Warehouse Lead role is pivotal in spearheading the comprehensive production operations within our facility. This role is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that safety protocols, quality standards, and customer service objectives are met consistently. This position provides clear guidance to the Operational Teams, fostering an environment that prioritises the delivery of superior standards, punctuality, safety, and fiscal responsibility.

This role carries full accountability for the plant's efficiency, conducting regular reviews and formulating strategic improvement plans to drive like-for-like sustainable enhancements. In collaboration with key stakeholders, this role plays a crucial part in cultivating a culture of Continuous Improvement, fostering innovation and efficiency at every level of the operation.

• Leading all organisation and departmental guidelines to the highest standard, with both People & Food Safety being the priority.
• Spearheads the development of people, working with both local and regional HR teams, with a clear focus on industry standard induction programs, robust training programs for all individuals within direct control, and clear succession planning in place for all roles within Production & Warehousing linking into the plants succession.
• Is accountable for the planning of all production & warehouse activity working closely with Supply Chain & Procurement, making sure we service our customers with the highest quality produce and service whilst maintaining budget.
• Is accountable for all operational KPI's within the described function, making sure clear measurement techniques are in place in order to prioritise continuous improvement and express clear escalation as and when required.
• Leads the management of our inventory portfolio with clear policies & procedures in place and effective monitoring tools, following robust cycle counting and annual stock takes.
• Head process improvement initiatives to ensure projects are completed efficiently.
• Analyse the operational processes and systems to identify areas of improvement, develop and implement policies and procedures that improve process efficiency. Identify process bottlenecks and constraints and provides solutions for eliminating those obstacles.
• Utilise data collection and analysis as a basis for recommending improvements.
• Develop processes / visual displays to effectively communicate real time operational performance and historical performance.
• Lead development of standard work/best practices.
• Collaborate effectively with plant leaders and associates to achieve agreement and buy-in for process changes & work standards.
• Support Operations activities for innovation projects.
• Support capacity expansion and capability strategy development process as appropriate.

• Broad experience in process improvement
• Capability to influence, initiate change and embed a process improvement culture
• Training and coaching skills are crucial (group dynamics, coaching attitude, etc)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to collaborate effectively with plant leaders and associates to achieve agreement and buy-in for process changes, work standards and new equipment/technology.
• Manage multiple priorities simultaneously, while driving projects to completion.
• Communicate effectively with employees at all levels of the organisation and be able to identify team members' capabilities and limitations and teach new skills.
• Flexibility and ability to prioritise work activities and projects, as well as capability to work with frequent interruptions.
• Proximity with life on the shopfloor is vital
• Willingness to work closely with the different teams in different shifts
• Practical mindset in organising trainings on the floor, in classroom settings etc