At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations in a dynamic factory, ensuring safety and performance targets are met.
- Company: Join Arla, a global leader in the dairy industry with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, life assurance, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a complex site while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing operations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Are you ready to lead by example and keep a complex factory running smoothly around the clock, ensuring safety, quality, and performance targets are met? In this role, you’ll be the key contact for our Stourton site, setting direction across intake, process, production and despatch.
How you will make an impact?
As a Duty Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the site, setting targets and actions, optimising performance, and managing a cross-site team. You will champion safety, quality and compliance, drive resource optimisation, and collaborate with operations and support teams to meet site KPIs and budget.
- Lead daily site operations across intake, process, production and despatch, setting targets and actions to optimise performance.
- Promote a healthy, inclusive and secure working environment; ensure adherence to H&S standards/Cornerstone and manage non-compliance via LIA reporting.
- Safeguard quality and food safety across the site, ensuring compliance with Arla standards, policies and legal requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement and efficiency using APS, data-driven decision-making (SPC, MDE, SAP, MES, OEE, basic statistics) and support LCO teams.
- Coordinate resources and staffing with Area Team Leaders; coach and develop team members based on Our Leadership and Our Character.
What will make you successful?
You will bring experience leading operations in a manufacturing or plant environment, with a strong safety and quality mindset. You understand how to work within defined frameworks and budgets, and you’re confident using data-driven tools such as SPC, MDE, SAP, MES and OEE to guide decisions and improve performance. To thrive in this role, you’ll be a clear and calm leader who sets direction, challenges constructively and maintains team morale. You’ll work as a collaborative partner, building strong relationships across production, maintenance, logistics and engineering. At the same time, you’ll bring an organised, solutions-focused approach, able to prioritise effectively and make sound, data-driven decisions.
What do we offer?
You’ll join the Powerhouse of the North — Arla’s most complex site in the UK — with 15 filling lines, 190 SKUs and up to 600 million litres of raw milk intake each year. With recent investments totalling €80m and a team of 450 colleagues, Stourton offers a dynamic environment where you can grow, develop and make a real impact.
- Competitive salary
- Annual pay review
- Employer pension matched up to 6% (12% total contributory)
- 4x annual salary life assurance
- Flexible benefits including the option to buy up to 5 days’ annual leave and access to Reward Gateway discounts
- Strong career development and training opportunities (internal and external)
Would you like to join us?
If you want to lead operations and keep a complex site performing at its best, please apply as soon as possible as we will process applications on a continuous basis and close the recruitment once the right candidate is found.
For additional information, please contact Jess Thwaite jesth@arlafoods.com.
Shape the Future of Dairy
Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with natural, sustainable nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.
Duty Manager - Stourton employer: Arla
Arla is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment at its Stourton site, known as the Powerhouse of the North. With a strong focus on employee growth through robust training opportunities and a commitment to safety and quality, Arla empowers its team members to make a meaningful impact while enjoying competitive benefits such as a matched pension scheme and flexible leave options.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Duty Manager - Stourton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Arla, especially those in similar roles. They can give you insider info on what it’s really like to work there and might even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your data-driven decision-making skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used tools like SPC or SAP in past roles to optimise performance. We want to see that you can back up your claims with solid examples!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership style! Think about how you’ve motivated teams in the past and be prepared to share specific stories. Arla values collaboration, so highlight how you’ve built strong relationships across departments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re processing applications continuously, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances!
We think you need these skills to ace Duty Manager - Stourton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Duty Manager role. Highlight your experience in leading operations, safety, and quality management, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership approach. Share examples of how you've motivated teams and driven performance in a manufacturing environment. We love to see candidates who can lead by example and maintain team morale!
Be Data-Driven:Since this role involves using data-driven tools like SPC and SAP, mention any relevant experience you have with these systems. Show us how you've used data to make decisions and improve operations in your previous roles. It’s all about making informed choices!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It streamlines the process for us and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arla
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Duty Manager role at Arla. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities like leading daily operations and ensuring safety and quality standards. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Duty Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team, optimised performance, or handled challenges. Highlight your ability to maintain team morale and foster collaboration across departments.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using data-driven tools like SPC, MDE, and SAP, be ready to discuss how you've used similar tools in previous roles. Bring specific examples of how data has informed your decisions and improved operational efficiency.
✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance
Safety is paramount in this role, so be prepared to discuss your approach to maintaining health and safety standards. Share any relevant experiences where you've championed safety initiatives or managed compliance issues effectively.
