Head of Operations

Main Purpose of Job

As part of the Site Leadership Team the Head of Operations will lead the Operations and Supply Chain teams across the Erith site. Overall responsibility for all these areas, ensuring successful delivery of daily targets and strategic development.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for delivering KPIs across all Operational areas, including safety, quality, productivity, cost, delivery, people.
• Lead the Operational teams in delivering world class service levels to our customers whilst engaging at every level and setting standards others aspire to.
• Responsible for all areas of production, both Ready Meals and Convenience Foods factories.
• In conjunction with the Head of People and Development ensure long term people plans are in place to ensure fully skilled and compliant teams are in place to meet the demands of the business both sort and long term
• Support and drive Management Development Programmes to grow a capable management team across Operations
• Gather and analyse operational data to resolve trouble spots and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work closely with the Process & Quality departments to consistently deliver products that will exceed our customers’ expectations and will delight our consumers.
• Coach and mentor, the Operations management team. Develop succession plans in each team & identify candidates suitable for progression.
• Play a key role within the Senior Leadership Team and the strategic direction of the site
• Identify opportunities for investment to improve efficiency or quality, creating appropriate business cases and presenting these to the SLT/Exec to gain approval

Qualification & Training

• H&S Qualification – IOSH / NEBOSH- Desirable
• CI training / qualification - Desirable
• Degree level education or equivalent experience

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience of the Ready Meals food category and knowledge of high-risk food manufacturing are essential
• Experience in very short shelf-life chilled manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership skills
• Experience of direct interaction with the UK’s major grocery retailers
• Industry respected Operational professional
• Experience of leading significant successful change management programmes

Personal Attributes

• Skilled in leading teams by persuading and influencing
• Highly motivated, determined, and resilient
• Team player
• Driven to achieve goals through people
• Approachable and collaborative