Leader - Operations

Forza Foods Ltd; Sittingbourne; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

IPL Sittingbourne is seeking a proactive Leader - Operations to manage and mentor a site-based production team at our Fresh Produce packing facility in Sittingbourne. The role emphasizes coaching, safety, and continuous improvement within a fast-paced FMCG environment.

You will partner with People, Training and Compliance teams to ensure staffing, training, and policy adherence, while driving cost-effective operations and meeting customer deadlines.

Qualifications

• Experience in Operations/Factory/Warehouse supervisory roles.
• Proven ability to lead and coach teams; strong people skills.
• Experience in fast-paced Production/FMCG/Manufacturing environments.
• Ability to work to targets and drive performance.
• Good communication across levels and teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage a site-based team and ensure coaching and performance reviews.
• Work with People team on pay, ER, changes and recruitment.
• Oversee training to ensure competence and proper SOP adherence.
• Cascade objectives to achieve operational targets and report concerns to SOM.
• Support Health & Safety policy updates and compliance within area.
• Monitor costs and implement lean improvements to reduce waste.
• Drive continuous improvement and SIC-based harvest projects.
• Ensure compliance with Third Party/Governing Body rules (BRC/ISO).
• Maintain relationships with internal/external customers and stakeholders.
• Approve timesheets for payroll and manage scheduling.

Job description

About The Role

Join Our Dynamic Onsite Production Team at IPL Sittingbourne!

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Leader - Operations to become a vital part of our onsite Production Team at our Fresh Produce packing facility in Sittingbourne. If you are passionate about Production & Leading and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, this role is perfect for you!

Position Details

Schedule: 4 on 4 off, 7am - 7pm

Location: IPL Sittingbourne - Site Based Role

Contract Type: Permanent

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Responsible for the management of a site based team
• Ensure that your Site/Shift/Line Reports and their Teams are coached and mentored using our STEP values, effective 121’s and performance reviews with the aim of providing a "great place to work" for colleagues
• Work closely with the People team to support Colleagues within your area in regards to Pay, Employee Relations, Requests for Change and Recruitment
• Work with the Training team to ensure that all colleagues are competent to carry out their roles effectively
• Ensure objectives and tasks are cascaded to individuals to meet your Operational objectives, flagging concerns to the SOM
• Support the SOM and Compliance Team with their initiatives by ensuring that all Health and Safety policies and procedures are updated, communicated and adhered to within your area
• Work with the SOM monitoring costs and suggesting improvements which will reduce cost through lean efficiencies, resource planning etc
• Support the SOM in implementing a continuous improvement culture within the Operational business
• Ensure that your area meets all Third Party / Governing Body (BRC, ISO etc.) rules and regulations
• Monitor plant reliability and resources, reporting any concerns what will delay customer orders being met
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with all relevant internal and external customers
• Carry-out detailed investigations into H&S and people issues, producing required reports & forwarding to relevant colleagues
• Update Management systems as required
• Develop and monitor appropriate KPI’s across all areas of responsibility, ensuring these are used to improve shift performance
• Drive the Harvest project through use of Short Interval Control (SIC), SIC review day/night action boards, checklist reviews and scheduled meetings
• Colleague’s timesheets to be authorised in a timely manner, in preparation for Payroll processing
• Allocating raw stock to required jobs and updating the scheduler as required

What are we looking for?

• Proven experience of working within Operations/Factory/Warehouse site ideally within a Warehouse/ Operations/ Factory in a supervisory role
• Proven ability to lead and coach colleagues skilled and unskilled;
• Significant and relevant experience of working within a fast paced Production / FMCG / Manufacturing environment
• Experience of working to targets and ensuring team meet targets
• Able to develop good working relationships with a variety of colleagues both internally and externally
• Good communication at all levels
• Excellent priority management
• Problem solving / root cause analysis
• Good working knowledge of Health and Safety policies and procedures and application within a Production Site
• IT Literate (Intermediate level)

What's in it for you?

At IPL, Forza, and Kober, we're dynamic businesses, dedicated to fostering the development of our colleagues and creating an exceptional work environment. We believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration to drive our success. To continue our growth, we're seeking individuals who embody our values, culture, and commitment.

In return, we offer opportunities for professional development, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Discretionary company bonus
• Company pension
• Colleague discount: 15% off your shopping at Asda from day 1 for you and a nominated user
• Discounted rates and special offers on Asda services such as Mobile, Pharmacy, Opticians, Personal Loan, Pet Insurance, Travel Insurance, Travel Money, Tyres, Breakdown Cover
• Free access to wellbeing services such as Stream, 24/7 virtual GP, counselling, health and dental cash plans and a 24/7 employee assistance helpline
• Asda Allies Inclusion Networks - helping colleagues to make sure everybody is included and that our differences are recognised and celebrated
• Excellent parental leave policies, including maternity & adoption leave, paternity leave, shared parental leave, neonatal care leave, and support for those doing fertility treatments.

Plus, lots more! Depending on job band, other fantastic benefits are also available including private healthcare, car allowances, and long-term incentive schemes.

About Us

Our purpose here at IPL, Forza & Kober is simple, we are one team who creates exceptional value for our customers and our mission is to support Asda on their journey to becoming #2 in the marketplace.

Through our people we live and breathe our values and we play to our strengths, but we also support each other’s development. We are a community of passionate individuals who possess a wide variety of skills and expertise, who work collectively to form a high performing team and a company to be proud of.

We are committed to a fully inclusive business that is representative of our customers, locations and the communities we serve. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of sex, age, race, religion, gender or sexual identity and socio-economic background. We are committed to making a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues.

We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values, culture and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Our culture is our people and our people are our culture!