Head of Manufacturing

Reporting to the Commercial and Strategy Director the Head of Manufacturing is responsible for developing the overall manufacturing strategy ensuring its effective implementation to deliver quality products via costeffective production processes.

Youll work with the Manufacturing Unit Management teams to ensure performance is optimized within a safe working environment. You will be accountable for overseeing all aspects of the manufacturing operations and leading the growth of the assigned manufacturing units including identifying future capability opportunities.

The manufacturing units will play an increasingly important part in the Sysco GB proposition and supply chain. These units are required to operate in line with Syscos high standards for food safety and quality as well as health and safety whilst delivering highly consistent innovative and crafted products that differentiate the Sysco offering in the market.   Youll also be required to provide detailed proposals for the organisational design of the manufacturing structure across the Sysco GB business as well as developing business case details for future growth opportunities supporting strategic growth by leading scaleup production activities as well as providing expertise to the delivery of approved manufacturing expansion projects.

You will oversee 2 manufacturing units based at the Fresh Direct Bicester site the Fresh Kitchen operation and the M&J unit. Fresh Kitchen produces a range of condiments sauces and pickles and M&J provides fresh fish and seafood to the food service industry.  As such you will be required to work on site in Bicester for a minimum of 3 days per week.  However you will also support the Carver & Co business which is a small meat production unit in Wigan so there will also be a regular requirement to travel to the Fresh Direct Wigan site.  The role will operate within a future context of MultiUse Sites to include Proteins Produce Short Life Chilled and Frozen as a result flexibility with travel is required where on occasions you may be required to travel to other Sysco sites in the UK.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement manufacturing strategies aligned to growth plans developing innovative manufacturing techniques and processes as well as supporting NPD.
• Integrate all sites into a Sysco standard way of working and maintain a safety culture with a H&S Index of 0.
• Deliver site QMS standards and support & deliver AA BRC at all manufacturing units developing a culture of AuditReady Every Day.
• Develop and integrate generic daily and weekly operating reports (DWOR) for all manufacturing units and develop and install KPIs/KRAs for all unit leadership roles with integration across all sites.
• Oversee the management of labour & labour variance material variance waste downtime service levels complaints and RTMs driving improvements across all measures and activities
• Lead continuous improvement and lean manufacturing practices through the implementation of Continuous Improvement Programmes (Ci) implementing Six Sigma opportunities and Short Interval Control practices to reduce costs improve employee safety and food safety as well as improve overall productivity including the identification of automation opportunities and crossunit collaborations.
• Working with Manufacturing Managers and their teams develop and deliver methodologies / planning systems to all sites to implement JustinTime (JIT) manufacturing (e.g. Kaban) enabling effective inventory control throughout the supply chain reducing stock holding and preserve/improve cash generation.
• Coach and develop the Manufacturing Managers Production Managers and Production Supervisors to further develop skill sets and capabilities creating selfmanaged unit leaders who will develop selfmanaged teams.
• Review effectiveness of structures providing proposals and business cases for changes to roles and team structures ensuring the operating model is efficient and fitforpurpose to support future growth opportunities.
• Implement regular reviews of SKUs and lead SKU rationalization programmes to encourage use of common ingredients and reduce complexity.

About You:

Proven experience in a senior manufacturing role within a food production environment is essential. The ideal candidate will have an indepth knowledge of food safety with extensive experience working across multiple manufacturing sites including high care low care and various product types.

You will have a proven track record within large corporate organisations where health and safety standards as well as brand integrity are paramount. Youll demonstrate the ability to plan and deliver against tight deadlines while also being commercially astute with experience in managing budgets effectively. Your robust knowledge of food manufacturing processes and quality control combined with familiarity in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies will be key in optimising production efficiency. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required to build effective relationships with departments across the business.  Excellent problemsolving and decisionmaking capabilities with strong experience in production design and setting up new units is required. Equally a customercentric approach is required with the ability to support business growth through customer interactions would be desirable.

In return youll receive a competitive base salary attractive car allowance or company car enrolment into the annual bonus incentive plan and private medical healthcare for you and your family. We offer colleagues an additional holiday purchase scheme to top up the standard 25 days awardwinning food products at virtually cost price and a range of perks and discounts through our online benefits platform.

Additional Information :

At Fresh Direct everyone is welcome. We dont want you to fit our culture we want you to help define it and we actively celebrate the unique talents of each and every colleague. We dont just look at your CV were more focused on who you are and your potential. As part of our values we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone has a voice is appreciated and has the same opportunities. We work hard to ensure that everyone feels part of our business as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone belongs and thrives at Fresh Direct and we recognise that Fresh Direct can only thrive when everyone feels they belong. Well do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process speak to our resourcing team who will be happy to support you. 

Fresh Direct

Built on a passion for food and feeding the nation at Fresh Direct we are dedicated to making life as easy and efficient for the chefs cooks and caterers we serve across the country. We are the leading specialist supplier of locally and globally sourced fresh produce and dairy across Great Britain bringing the best of the seasons to chefs menus.   

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Fulltime