General Manager - Food Manufacturing

General Manager – Food Manufacturing Industry Based in Newhouse / Eurocentral area If you are keen to enhance your experience and career within an exciting, award winning & rapidly expanding food manufacturing organisation offering a superb working environment, this could be the role for you Newly created role with a rapidly expanding food manufacturing company for an experienced General Manager / Operations Manager with a track record in a similar role within the food manufacturing industry. Food manufacturing industry or drinks industry experience is ESSENTIAL and experience of working with the major multiples / supermarkets is beneficial. The General Manager is a key member of the team with significant responsibilities and a vital role to play in the development of the business. This role is crucial to the company’s success in designing, managing and improving all operational systems to meet business objectives efficiently with responsibility for shaping the work environment; allocating resources; developing managers and building the organisation, as well as setting and overseeing the delivery of the operations strategy. In addition the GM will play a key role in new projects including working with the IT Consultant in rolling out a new ERP implementation system in 2020 supporting Warehouse and Manufacturing functions. ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT: The General Manager reports to the Directors and will work in collaboration with Sales & Marketing; New Product Development; Technical & Quality; Finance; Health & Safety; IT and HR in a positive, helpful and friendly manner fostering an overall “Big Team Thinking “ mindset across all areas of the end to end supply chain. The General Manager will line manage the Production Operations Manager whilst having overall responsibilities for all devolved levels of operation management team from first line managers to Production Operations to ensure and have accountability for the operational performance of the business, as well as working closely with H&S, IT and HR Consultants. KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT Managing change through the implementation and development of proven change models and developing strategies and infrastructure to support significant growth in the business over the next 5 years: •Contribute to the development of the company’s business strategy; leading strategic growth in the areas of production, purchasing and distribution; •Identify key strategic priorities for production, purchasing and distribution, and translate these into a comprehensive strategic plan that will create medium and long-term improvements; •Communicate and engage the team in the broader strategy so that all employees, partners, suppliers and contractors understand the strategic plan and how it will achieve the company’s overall goals; •Motivate and manage teams of individuals responsible for delivering the strategic plan; •Monitor and report to the Board and the Management Team on the progress of the strategic plan, amending activities where required; •Link strategic priorities to targeted capital expenditure projects; proposing and communicating projects by setting out business cases for growth and productivity improvements; •Facilitate and drive critical strategic initiatives and projects through to completion; •Act as the Company’s principal advisor on all issues relating to operational functions, and keep up to date with the latest developments to ensure that the Company maintains its competitive position. PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION •Develop and implement all necessary policies and procedures to deliver operational business objectives; •Work with the Production Operations Manager, overseeing the production function to ensure that finished goods of the required standard are available to customers within agreed costs and at the right times & overseeing the warehouse and despatch functions supplying customers with the correct quantities of goods at the right times; •Develop and control the budget for operational services to ensure that they have all of the resources required to meet objectives within agreed financial parameters; •Allocate resources and set up teams, shaping long-term capability; PROCUREMENT AND PURCHASING •Establish and implement procurement and purchasing policies and procedures to ensure that the company has all the resources required within agreed costs and quality standards and at the right times; •Monitor Company purchases and spends to ensure that suppliers are meeting performance standards and the Company is receiving the best value for money in all areas of the business; •Evaluate suppliers, negotiating supplier agreements and managing supplier contracts on an annual basis; HEALTH & SAFETY •Work with the H&S Consultant to recommend, develop and implement all necessary plans, policies and procedures to maintain a safe and healthy work environment at all times; •Monitor health & safety risks and hazards in the work environment and maintain an effective health & safety management system; •Ensure that the business is legally compliant with all health & safety legislation. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY •Working with the IT Consultant on a new ERP implementation project rolling out in 2020 - integrate the main business processes through the implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning system to support Warehouse and Manufacturing function. •Work with the IT Consultant & recommend, develop and implement Information Technology strategies, policies and procedures that will enable operations to continue to improve productivity; ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT •Establish and implement an environmental management system to ensure that the company continuously reduces the impact of operations on the natural environment. SPACE MANAGEMENT •Plan and optimise the physical space that the business occupies to meet business objectives; •Continuously check the capacity for operational growth; •Link space management activities with the environmental management plan. LEADING AND DEVELOPING PEOPLE Develop a high performing team, who are committed to the delivery of the organisation’s objectives; while creating a great place to work; •Provide leadership to all employees, and line management to direct reports that values each person’s contribution and sets a culture of high performance. REPORTING AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Control operational costs including equipment efficiencies, waste, direct labour and materials, ensuring that operational activities are delivered cost-effectively, and in line with quality standards, regulation and legislation; •Manage directly or oversee the management of budgets allocated to operations following agreed priorities. Play a key role in hosting audits ensuring facility is audit ready at all times •Maintain AA BRC accreditation grading, and strict adherence to retailer standards by working in partnership with, and the expertise of the Technical Manager; •Meet customer needs and BRC audit compliance by ensuring that operational functions consistently adhere to the Quality Management System; •Comply with the Health & Safety Act 1974 and resultant regulations and codes of practice and following food safety and site security policy and procedures; •Continuous development of lean manufacturing processes. THE IDEAL CANDIDATE- The successful candidate will be an experienced General / Operations Manager who can demonstrate a successful track record within the Food / Drinks Industry in a similar senior Leadership role. The successful candidate will have / will be - Experience and understanding of procurement practices Project management experience Health & Safety Qualification IOSH Managing Safely – Food Industry standards Strategic elements of IT planning Environmental awareness and experience with Environmental Management Systems Budgetary Management and Profit & Loss Analysis Engaging senior leadership in CAPEX projects; creating and presenting business cases including ROI reporting; implementing and reporting on the outcomes. Play a key role in hosting audits ensuring facility is audit ready at all times An effective leader with an innovative, visionary approach and outstanding people management skills. Strategic and creative thinking - Anticipating future events and issues. Creating alternative scenarios.?? THE BENEFITS This is a superb role and a great opportunity to develop and further your career with this multiple award winning business, joining during an exciting period of growth and expansion. Driving licence and access to a car required. In return, the successful candidate will be offered a highly competitive basic salary and bonus structure. On application please advise re current salary, re salary expectations and re notice period. Please note that due to high levels of response, we may only be in touch with short listed applicants. Many thanks