Talent Guardian has been exclusively retained to source a Head of Operations for a dynamic role within the artisan food production sector.
Our client is a renowned leader in this unique environment and is seeking an exceptional candidate to lead their operational endeavours.
Job Purpose:
The Head of Operations at our client will play a pivotal role in managing production, packing, and warehousing operations, ensuring seamless coordination to meet customer orders across all key channels: Own Stores, Online, and Wholesale & Corporate. The primary focus will be on maintaining the highest standards of food safety, enhancing production efficiencies, and driving the implementation of further output-efficient processes.
Key Responsibilities:
Leads, motivates, and mentors a team of key managers, ensuring they possess the necessary skills to excel in their roles.
Monitors and enhances production efficiency, developing key performance indicators in alignment with the CEO's vision.
Collaborates with the Head of Planning to craft seasonal and daily production plans, optimising output to meet business goals.
Assesses and adapts operational size and efficiency in response to commercial requirements.
Develops resource planning strategies, enabling timely staff recruitment to meet seasonal demands.
Implements just-in-time principles in the purchasing cycle to minimise raw material working capital requirements.
Manages finished stock levels to align with sales plans and ensure accurate reporting.
Acts as the main point of contact between commercial teams and operations, resolving issues and facilitating effective communication.
Oversees equipment maintenance, partnering with external engineering experts.
Upholds rigorous food safety standards, fostering a culture of safety and hygiene among production staff.
Manages daily shift activities, providing leadership and coaching to the production management team.
Proactively addresses performance issues that may impact production targets and resolves them efficiently.
Ensures adequate staffing and resource allocation to exceed customer expectations.
Promotes and coaches lean manufacturing standards across the organisation.
IT Systems:
Collaborates with the CFO to develop and optimise IT systems for production, packing, and warehousing, with a specific focus on streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency.
People Management:
Defines clear performance objectives for team members, fostering exceptional performance.
Takes charge of recruitment, motivation, leadership, and development of personnel.
Conducts performance reviews and implements remedial actions where necessary.
Creates and manages a succession plan, ensuring key individuals are retained.
Food Safety/Health and Safety:
Maintains SALSA standards and implements necessary changes for certification.
Develops and executes health and safety plans to ensure a safe working environment.
Monitors and ensures compliance with food safety and health and safety regulations.
Transport:
Develops and implements transportation policies and procedures.
Ensures adherence to schedules and shipment deadlines.
Streamlines packaging and shipping processes.
Collaborates with the Customer Care Team to resolve customer issues and implement corrective actions.
Planning & Finance Departments:
Prepares budgets and forecasts in conjunction with the Planning & Finance departments, focusing on improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Aligns production plans with forecasts and financial targets.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
Collaborates with senior management to develop KPIs for teams and establishes a monitoring process, emphasizing efficiency improvements.
Ensures KPIs are in place and production targets are met while driving operational excellence.
Optimizes efficiency and reduces costs while maintaining resource levels.
Effectively communicates and implements changes across all teams.
If you are a dynamic and results-driven operations leader with a strong background in operations management in food production, and a passion for driving production efficiencies and implementing output-efficient processes, we invite you to apply for this challenging role.
Join our client and lead our operations to new heights of success.