Process Operations Lead - Stourton

Arla Foods Deutschland GmbH; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a strategic leader for their Continuous Improvement team. This role involves managing operations, driving performance, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You'll collaborate with various teams to implement best practices and ensure compliance with quality standards. If you have a passion for operational excellence and people management, this is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of dairy production while contributing to sustainability and innovation.

Benefits

Employer pension matched up to 6%

4 x annual life salary assurance

Flexible Benefits

Discounts with various retailers

Qualifications

• Experience in leading Total Performance Management and IL6S methodologies.
• Strong coordination skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Continuous Improvement team to achieve operational KPIs.
• Ensure compliance and quality objectives are met across the operation.

Skills

People Management

Operational Leadership

Continuous Improvement

Lean Manufacturing Principles

Problem-Solving Skills

Tools

Digital Tools

Job description

Job Description

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• Employer pension matched up to 6% (12% total contributory)
• 4 x annual life salary assurance
• Flexible Benefits - buy additional annual leave, reward gateway scheme - discounts with various retailers via my benefit platform.

Reporting to the Site Operations Manager, you will be responsible for leading and managing our Continuous Improvement (LCO) team. You will set day-to-day objectives for the team and deliver operational plans, whilst resolving issues and escalation points. You will work cross-functionally with teams on site, as well as the wider UK and global site teams, to share best practices and ensure our Dairy/Creamery is running to a best-in-class standard. You will be responsible for operational KPIs for your entire area.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Management: Ensure operating systems are accurately managed, maintained, and developed for responsive, data-based management of the operation. Resource and roster all aspects of the operation to deliver output and quality objectives while ensuring legal compliance.
• Team Leadership and Development: Maintain and develop a highly motivated team with a developing skillset for continuous improvement. Manage time and prioritize activities in conjunction with business plans. Set standards personally and monitor team performance.
• Communication and Collaboration: Communicate with global specialist networks and relevant third parties and suppliers to seek best practices and awareness of latest technologies. Work closely with other departments such as engineering and supply chain to ensure best practices are embedded.
• Continuous Improvement and Problem Solving: Monitor system faults across processes and work with supply chain specialists to resolve them. Collect relevant data, interpret results, and seek continuous improvement to set and achieve departmental KPIs. Assist engineering and department teams with problem-solving and maintaining equipment and processes at the highest standard.
• Training and Departmental Activities: Update and maintain training and SOP planning and sign-off. Drive dialogue and action planning within the department. Organize team workload daily, provide cover at meetings, and contribute to departmental activities.

To succeed in this role, you should be an ambitious, strategic, and strong leader with people management experience within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You should demonstrate strong skills in coordination and have extensive experience in operational and strategic leadership, with an understanding of continuous improvement, lean manufacturing principles, culture change, and stakeholder engagement.

You will also need:

• Experience leading Total Performance Management, IL6S (Integrated Lean Six Sigma), IWS (Integrated Works Systems), or similar methodologies
• Effective problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a high-speed environment
• Significant experience in leading and developing a team
• Previous experience implementing digital tools (preferred but not essential)
• Knowledge of BRC & retailer audits, quality, and safety standards

Additional Information

About Our Stourton Site

• Processes 2.2 million litres of milk daily
• Produces approximately 660 million litres of products annually from 16 automated filling lines
• Offers over 225 SKUs across 10 product groups, including Cravendale & BOB filtered milk, flavoured milk, creams, alcohol cream, custards, and cottage cheese
• Has received around £315 million in investment since 2004

About Arla

• A farmer-owned cooperative committed to fair pricing for farmers
• Innovators in sustainability, including poo-powered trucks and the world’s first 100% carbon-neutral dairy
• Producer of iconic brands like Lurpak
• A global business operating across multiple regions worldwide

Next Steps

Please apply via the provided link or contact Jess Thwaite, Talent Partner at Arla Foods. The closing date for applications is May 25th, 2025.

Join Us

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, dedicated to high-quality products, sustainability, and innovation. We value diversity and collaboration, striving to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.