Cell Leader (Production)

Unilever; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension scheme

Gym membership discount

Staff shop discounts

Company shares

Job summary

Unilever is seeking a Cell Leader in Leeds to oversee the performance of the cell across all shifts. You will lead the Cell Team, own Clean, Inspect & Lubrication, and govern EHS, Quality, and continuous improvement activities for the line.

You will report to the Site R2S Manager and manage 2 direct reports. Strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and a solid track record in manufacturing improvements are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership capability with the ability to coach and develop the Cell Team.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making under pressure.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication.
• Good analytical skills and comfort with data in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Owns daily, weekly and monthly line workflows and leads line teams.
• Aligns with Cost Deployment and 90-day loss elimination plan.
• Manages CIL processes: deployment, execution, KPI reporting, CI.
• Delivers EHS processes on the line in partnership with EHS.
• Manages Quality processes and prepares quality measures for meetings.
• Supports other line workflows and collaborates with cross-functional teams.
• Drives OEE improvements and reduces factory losses.
• Coaches operators to sustain AM standards and maintain line condition.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Effective communication

Analytical skills

Safety culture

Education

Engineering degree (Desirable)

Tools

Process control tools

Statistical methods

Job description

Job Title: Cell Leader

Business Function: Supply Chain, Operations

Location: Leeds Factory

JOB PURPOSE

The Cell Leader has overall responsibility for the performance of the cell across all shifts. They lead the Cell Team (PE, FT) and own Clean, Inspect & Lubrication standards, Environment, Health & Safety, Quality and all governance forums for the cell.

Structure

The Cell Leader Reports directly to the Site R2S Manager, the cell leader has 2 direct reports, the Process Engineer and the Focus Technician.

Key Dimensions

The role requires strong relationships with other cell members, FLM’s, Operators and shift Craft assigned to the cell. The role is part of the AM Pillar team for the site.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Owns the daily, weekly and monthly workflows for the line. Leads the preparation of the line team and facilitates the meetings.
• Owns the alignment with Cost Deployment and the 90‑day loss elimination plan for the line.
• Owns the CIL process for the line. This includes deployment, execution, reporting the KPI and continuous improvement of the process.
• Deploys and manages the EHS processes on the line in alignment with the EHS department. Prepares the EHS measures for meetings and assessments of upcoming deviations for the daily workflow.
• Deploys and manages the Quality processes on the line in alignment with the Quality department. Prepares the Quality measures for meetings and assessment of upcoming deviations for the daily workflow.
• Supports all other work processes in the line workflows.
• Coordinates the Cell/area in which they are accountable to deliver OEE improvements and reduce factory losses.
• Coaches’ operators, ensuring they are working to the AM standards to maintain basic conditions on the line to prevent breakdowns
• Owns the loss elimination cycle for the cell and executes distinct parts from loss elimination plans
• Leads problem solving sessions.
• Expected to be competent and qualified in problem solving techniques, being able to demonstrate and coach.

KPI/KAI for the role

• Safety Incidents, SSMA and SBO Completion
• Quality Incident investigations
• OLE, VR
• CIL Completion

ALL ABOUT YOU

Essential Criteria

• Computer literacy
• Effective written, verbal and presentational communication skills
• Strong technical knowledge across the site’s processes & lines
• Excellent analytical skills
• Strongly driven by a safety culture
• Some experience in statistics & process control tools
• Engineering based degree (Desirable)
• Able to champion and drive continuous improvement and operational changes.
• Able to work as part of a wider team and share best practices to help other teams.
• Advanced problem solver and able to work collaboratively with other teams and functions.
• Role models leadership on the floor, and leadership standard work mindset.
• Comfortable in challenging status quo, unsafe behaviours and processes.

Personal Qualities

• Self‑motivated, positive attitude
• Good team worker
• Proven record of operational improvement
• Demonstrated ability of teaching/coaching basic problem‑solving tools at all levels
• Effective communicator
• Able to engage, empower and enable people within the cell.

NOTES What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment. Whilst the role is advertised on a full‑time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family‑friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.