Manufacturing Operations Manager

Mondelēz International; Chirk; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mondelēz International in the UK is seeking an experienced manufacturing leader to own transformation and operational planning. You will drive IL6S and Factory of Future initiatives, lead governance, and push for zero-loss performance across safety, quality and efficiency.

You will mentor teams, develop talent, and partner with cross-functional peers to deliver measurable improvements and sustainable outcomes across the plant.

Qualifications

• Proven operational and manufacturing leadership in the CPG or food industry.
• Strong communication, coaching, and leadership skills.
• Technical background with financial acumen and project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the transformation agenda with IL6S and FoF line-centric organization.
• Coach and develop the team, tracking engagement and capability metrics.
• Develop and execute annual manufacturing plans aligning safety, quality, cost, delivery, and sustainability.
• Establish governance with regular reviews and escalation protocols.
• Drive talent, capability and engagement strategies with succession planning.
• Partner with multifunctional peers to achieve shared KPIs.

Skills

LEAN

Six Sigma

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Job description

Job Description

Are You Ready to Make It Happen at Mondelēz International?

Join our Mission to Lead the Future of Snacking. Make It With Pride.

You will be personally accountable for the following areas:

Transformation & Continuous Improvement Ownership

• Own and drive the change/transformation agenda: Lead implementation of IL6S (Integrated Lean 6 Sigma) phase journey, FoF (Factory of Future) line-centric organization and roles — including AM (Autonomous Maintenance), PM (Progressive Maintenance), and the integrated 6-star model within operating line teams — with defined milestones and timelines to progress teams into self-sufficiency.
• Be personally accountable for role-modeling Values and Principles: Demonstrate consistent coaching, mentoring, and development of the team, measured by engagement scores, capability assessments, and succession pipeline health.

Operational Planning & Target Delivery

• Own the development and execution of Manufacturing annual operational plans and targets: Deliver against Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Sustainability, and Engagement goals aligned with the site's Compelling Business Need.
• Be accountable for cascading, communicating, and embedding plans and targets: Ensure documented alignment and verified understanding of priorities, focus areas, and KPIs with Line Leaders and all employees.
• Report monthly on progress against plan: Provide clear root-cause analysis and corrective actions for any performance gaps.

Performance Governance & Zero-Loss Culture

• Establish, own, and chair a robust Governance framework: Review, control, and continuously improve operational performance with defined review cadences (daily, weekly, monthly) and escalation protocols.
• Be accountable for embedding a zero-loss mindset: Measured by year-over-year loss reduction targets and benchmarking against best-in-class performance both internally and externally.
• Drive the Operating team to identify, prioritize, and deliver improvements: Track all improvements to technology, culture, capability, and operating systems through a documented improvement register with assigned owners and deadlines.

Standards, Compliance & Governance

• Be accountable for ensuring all Manufacturing standards, governance, and compliance requirements are in place and effectively implemented — including:
• Corporate Quality, Food Safety & GMP
• Health, Safety, Security, Environment & Sustainability
• Code of Conduct, Policies & Principles
• Operational Standards, Local Legal Requirements & Internal Audit Norms
• All other procedures as updated from time to time
• Own audit readiness of the plant at all times: Conduct regular self-assessments, maintain documented corrective actions, and track closure to ensure zero critical non-conformances.

Talent, Capability & Engagement

• Be accountable for the Talent, Capability, and Engagement strategy for the Manufacturing team: Own the identification and execution of critical levers to attract, retain, and develop talent at all levels — both technical and behavioral.
• Deliver measurable outcomes including:
• Defined succession plans for all critical roles
• Year-over-year improvement in engagement scores
• A documented workforce capability roadmap aligned to future business needs
• Partner proactively and effectively with all multi-functional peers: Collaborate internally and externally (outside the plant) to achieve shared objectives, goals, and KPIs — with joint accountability agreements where applicable.

What you will bring

A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career, along with the following demonstrated experience and knowledge:

• Proven operational and manufacturing leadership preferably in the CPG/Food industry: Demonstrated, results-driven experience in LEAN, and Six Sigma tools and concepts — evidenced by measurable improvements delivered.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and leadership skills in a team-based environment: Demonstrated abilities in analytics, structured problem solving, and building high-performing teams — both verbal and written.
• A proven technical background with strong financial and business acumen: Proven project management skills and hands‑on knowledge of industrial maintenance and manufacturing equipment — with a track record of translating business strategy into operational results.

More about this role

Work schedule: 100%

Relocation Support Available?

No Relocation support available

Business Unit Summary

We value our talented employees, and whenever possible strive to help one of our associates grow professionally before recruiting new talent to our open positions.

Our people make all the difference in our succes

Mondelēz International is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Excited to grow your career?

We value our talented employees, and whenever possible strive to help one of our associates grow professionally before recruiting new talent to our open positions.

Job Type

Regular

Manufacturing support

Manufacturing