Graduate Operations Coordinator

Mindful Chef Ltd.; Redditch; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Gym

Vitality health insurance

LinkedIn Learning

Mental health support

30 days holiday + bank holidays

Mindful Chef product discount

Job summary

Mindful Chef Ltd. is seeking a Graduate Operations Coordinator to own day-to-day performance across warehouse and production operations. You will use data and process scrutiny to keep the site safe, efficient, and aligned with service levels.

You will closely collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain and CI to root-cause issues and establish standard work. The role is hands-on, metrics-driven, and focuses on line efficiency, throughput, safety, cost control, and KPI delivery.

Qualifications

• 2:1 degree in a relevant subject (Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or similar).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with comfort working with data (Excel/Sheets).
• Willingness to be hands-on and visible on the production floor from day one.

Responsibilities

• Own daily production delivery and daily cross-functional reviews (Production, Engineering, Technical, Supply Chain, CS); ensure peak readiness.
• Process production files and system data accurately and on time; maintain operational records.
• Lead safety culture, SOPs, hazard/risk resolution, and incident investigations through to corrective action; maintain GMP/hygiene standards.
• Own line efficiency, throughput, and accuracy as tracked KPIs; drive productivity and remove bottlenecks.
• Lead process, layout, and change-management improvements; drive floor-level CI (5S, RCAs).
• Own warehouse standards, stock accuracy, and pick performance; coordinate maintenance planning with Engineering; close audit actions.

Skills

Operations management

Data analysis

Shop floor leadership

Problem solving

Lean/Six Sigma

Excel/Sheets

Education

2:1 degree in Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business or similar

Tools

SQL

BI tools

Job description

Where Growth has no Leash

Working with 2 Operations Managers, this person will own the day-to-day performance of warehouse and production operations, using data and process scrutinisation to keep the site running safely, efficiently, and consistently - while hitting the service levels customers expect.

This is a hands-on, metrics-driven role, accountable for line efficiency, throughput, and cost control across production, fulfilment, quality, food safety, and health & safety. Working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain and Continuous Improvement, this role digs into root causes, resolves issues fast, and builds systems and standard work that make improvements stick.

Working Schedule: Sunday - Thursday 9am-6pm, with occasional cover on other days.

About the role

What we are looking for

We're looking for someone who's genuinely energised by operational excellence, the kind of person who can't walk past a line without mentally calculating throughput, who tracks their own KPIs for fun, and who'd rather fix the process than firefight the same problem twice. A visible leader on the shop floor, the Graduate Operations Coordinator develops people, removes barriers to flow, and builds a culture of accountability, disciplined record‑keeping, and continuous improvement.

You are

You will

Operations & Safety

• Own daily production delivery and daily cross‑functional reviews (Production, Engineering, Technical, Supply Chain, CS); ensure peak readiness.
• Process production files and system data accurately and on time; maintain accurate operational records and documentation.
• Lead safety culture, SOPs, hazard/risk resolution, and incident investigations through to corrective action; maintain GMP/hygiene standards.

Performance & Improvement

• Own line efficiency, throughput, and accuracy as tracked KPIs; drive productivity and remove bottlenecks.
• Lead process, layout, and change‑management improvements; drive floor‑level CI (5S, RCAs) with the CI Lead.

Warehouse & Engineering

• Own warehouse standards, stock accuracy, and pick performance.
• Coordinate maintenance planning with Engineering; maintain PTW and contractor/visitor records; close audit actions (maintenance, GMP, hygiene, pest control); support foreign body investigations, traceability, and mock recalls.

Financial & People

• Own cost reporting and budget administration; track and log labour/agency/overtime spend; support capex planning with data.
• Lead, coach, and develop teams; maintain training records, skills matrices, PDPs, and succession plans; support recruitment/onboarding admin.

Reporting & Admin

• Produce clear KPI and cost reporting; maintain up‑to‑date SOPs, logs, and compliance records.
• Escalate risks early; track and close out audit, incident, and review actions; keep documentation audit‑ready.

Success Measures

• Safe, compliant, efficient operations delivered to budget, with accurate records, strong GMP/housekeeping standards, prompt action closure, and capable, accountable teams.

Your profile

• A 2:1 in a relevant subject (Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or similar).
• A genuine interest in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain - internships, placements, or work in FMCG/food/logistics is a plus but not essential.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with comfort working with data (Excel/Sheets as standard; exposure to SQL or BI tools a bonus).
• Willingness to be hands‑on and visible on the production floor, not just in meetings.
• Clear, confident communication - able to work across Production, Engineering, Technical, Supply Chain, and Customer Services from day one.
• A structured, methodical approach to problem‑solving (an interest in Lean/Six Sigma/CI principles is a plus).
• Resilience and adaptability - comfortable in a fast‑paced, early‑morning, shift‑based environment.
• Natural leadership potential - someone teams will want to follow, even without formal management experience yet.
• High attention to detail, especially around safety, compliance, and accuracy of records.
• Ambition to grow into a broader operational leadership role, with willingness to rotate across functions (Production, Warehouse, Engineering, CI) as part of development.

What you will gain

• Direct mentoring from senior operational leaders, with regular 1:1s and structured feedback.
• Real ownership from day one - you'll run daily reviews, own KPIs, and lead small projects, not just shadow.
• Exposure to the full end‑to‑end supply chain, from production planning through to dispatch and customer service.
• Hands‑on Continuous Improvement experience - 5S, root cause analysis - working alongside the CI Lead on live problems, not case studies.
• Structured development plan.
• Support toward relevant qualifications (e.g. IOSH, Lean/Six Sigma, food safety certifications) where useful to your development.
• A close‑knit cohort of fellow ex‑graduates plus regular check‑ins, so you're never navigating alone.
• The chance to make a visible, measurable impact early - in a business where operational decisions directly affect food safety, cost, and customer experience.
• A genuine growth trajectory - many operational leaders in the business started in graduate or entry‑level roles.

Why us?

• A competitive package that rewards your skills and dedication.
• Be part of a Better Business (B‑Corp), making a positive impact on profit, people, and planet.
• Join an award‑winning startup backed by the largest food and beverage company globally: Nestle
• Experience a workplace that feels like home, complete with free meals and a gym.
• Prioritise your well‑being with perks like Vitality health insurance, access to LinkedIn Learning, mental health support, Better Up AI Coaching and a generous holiday package (30 days + bank holidays).
• Enjoy a 50% discount on all Mindful Chef products.
• Enhanced policy of up to 6 months full pay primary parental leave and up to 6 weeks full pay secondary parental leave.

The process