Process Technician (Logistics)

Unilever; Port Sunlight; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Unilever in Port Sunlight seeks a Process Technician (Logistics) to reduce distribution centre losses via continuous improvement of processes. You will lead the FI pillar within PSL Factory FI forums and drive RTS execution, coaching teams and improving safety, quality and on-time delivery.

The role demands FMCG logistics experience, strong problem solving and a collaborative change lead. Ad hoc travel to other sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering against service metrics.
• Problem solving and continuous improvement experience.
• Passion for automated systems and learning new things.
• FMCG logistics background.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Reduce safety losses through process improvement and implementation.
• Ensure safety policy conformance; coach teams for safe behaviour.
• Conduct regular inspections and housekeeping audits.
• Review, create or update risk assessments and close gaps.
• Rectify safety issues and lead shift investigations.
• Lead investigations into non-conformances and monitor QA points.
• Coordinate daily inbound/outbound plans with teams.
• Drive cost improvements; reduce non-value-added activity.
• Champion Run to Standard and maintain RTS master plan.
• Support change initiatives and training across the DC.
• Travel as required to other factories or sites.

Skills

Delivering against service metrics

Problem solving

Continuous improvement

Automated systems

Customer service

Job description

Job Title: Process Technician (Logistics) Business Function: Supply Chain, Operations Location: Port Sunlight Factories (Site Based)

JOB PURPOSE The role of the Logistics Process Engineer is to reduce logistics losses within the DC in order to better deliver on Unilever customer service requirements. This is achieved by ensuring optimal sustained running of the distribution centre via continuous improvement of our processes. Within this role, you will act as the DC FI Pillar lead within PSL Factory FI forums. You will also act as continuous process lead for Marula DC in the Logistics network discussions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety

To reduce safety losses via process improvement & implementation by

• Ensuring company safety policy, rules, and procedures are understood and followed at all times, encouraging everyone to behave safely and by challenging unsafe behaviour.
• Role modelling and actively contributing to a safety culture and safe working environment by identifying and reporting health or safety hazards and dangerous situations involving Unilever personnel, site contractors, and visitors.
• Coaching and developing team members to meet these requirements.
• Performing regular inspections/audits for good housekeeping and area safety, ensuring agreed actions are completed.
• Ensuring tasks are completed in line with Risk assessments.
• Review existing and new RAs, create RAs where none exist, & support other team members to do the same.
• Identifying & closing gaps within current risk assessment procedures, performing dynamic RAs when the situation requires.
• Ensuring immediate and appropriate actions to rectify safety issues, lead investigations into challenges which occur on their allocated shift.

Quality

Ensuring Quality policies, procedures and standards are understood and adhered to at all times. Coaching and developing team members to meet these requirements. Ensuring the timely and accurate recording of all quality data as required and any non-conformance following Consumer Relevant Quality Standards procedures. Ensuring immediate and appropriate actions to rectify quality issues following quality procedures.

• Leading investigations into non-conformances; ensure zero quality defects by analysing and eliminating all defects.
• Identifying quality critical control points, ensuring they are monitored and maintained.

Customer Service

The impact of the Process Engineers decisions will be immediate; therefore, an immediate response is required to address any issues which may arise. Continually review performance against targets, taking appropriate corrective action if required to maintain high customer service and avoid missed deliveries & demurrage. Anticipating and reacting quickly to problems in order to avoid impact to customer service. Working with stakeholders to identify loss streams and create a strategy to reduce the DC losses

Governing the loss reduction strategy in order to deliver the DC targets Coordinating daily & weekly inbound/outbound plan with relevant teams to align an optimised operation

Cost

Leading improvements to reduce non-value-added activity, including reducing Cost, Waste and Energy. KPIs include adherence to the Labour, and overtime budgets.

Run to Standard

As Process Engineer, you will champion the RTS methodology for the DC. This will include:

• Co-Creating and regularly reviewing the Run to Standard Master plan for the DC
• Owning and delivering against the FI pillar, reducing service losses by improving metrics such as OTIF, %plan completion & pallet residence time
• Ensuing framework, processes and documentation are optimised.
• Coaching others in the tasks, tools and theory behind RTS Training and Development Inputting to the DC operational and technical training matrix Identifying macro training gaps across the DC staff & develop strategy to close them. Coaching and training team members to close individual gaps.

Problem Solving

Downtime & challenges within the distribution centre have the potential to stop PSL factories and customer deliveries. A proactive response to problem solving and decisive decision making is essential to avoid losses and ensure general smooth running within the distribution centre. In this role, you will need to create and foster this culture across the team. An in-depth knowledge of the principles & parameters of the machines/systems will be needed to effectively perform these problem-solving tasks, as well as the human interactions and processes needed.

You will need to be capable and confident of using and training others to use UPS and other problem solving and improvement tools. As Process Engineer, it will be your responsibility to train and coach others on the use of problem-solving methodologies, influencing others to achieve results

Change

In this role you will need a proactive and collaborative attitude to change by:

• Identifying improvement opportunities, funding through capex proposals where applicable.
• Driving best practices in safety and quality assurance by implementing efficient processes and collaborating with colleagues.
• Leading and participate in change initiatives, such as new installations and trials.
• Track successes and failures where needed to provide feedback on successes and challenges.
• Supporting team members to ensure a smooth ramp-up and any procedural changes.
• Utilising project management tools and techniques to ensure the efficient use of resources.

ALL ABOUT YOU

Essential:

• Experience with delivering against service metrics
• Problem solving & continue improvement experience
• A passion for automated systems & learning new things.
• FMCG Logistics Background
• Strong customer service and communication skills

Desirable: Experience working in a Distribution Centre

The ideal candidate for this role displays the 4 Unilever behaviours in their work:

• Focus on what counts: Prioritise tasks that directly impact the safety, quality, performance and efficiency of the distribution process. Do whatever is within their control to understand the root cause of a problem and proactively take steps to fix it.
• Deliver with excellence: Strive for high standards in all aspect of work. Owning the responsibility to complete tasks in full and on time to maximise operational efficiency. Continuously look for ways to improve and suggest ways to remove non-value adding activities.
• Stay 3 steps ahead: Anticipate potential issues before they arise and prepare in advance for foreseeable activities. Be proactive in finding safer and faster ways of working to help the factory stay ahead of the competition. Be prepared for any disruptions, ensuring minimal downtime and smooth operations.
• Care deeply: Show genuine concern for the well-being of colleagues, consumers and customers. Respectfully calling out any behaviour that could put safety, quality or efficiency at risk. Be open to giving and receiving feedback enabling everyone to work at their best every day. By integrating these qualities, you not only embody the desired behaviours but also contribute to a more efficient, responsible, and supportive work environment.

Travel

Ad hoc travel, as per job requirements, including third party visits, external meetings or to other factories and Distribution Centres to share best practices.

Contacts

Effective communication and collaboration are essential skills for this role. You will regularly