Despatch Team Leader - 6 month FTC in Telford

Who are we, and what do we do? You may not have heard of us, but there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed our products. Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country’s major supermarkets and well-known restaurants. We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door – meaning we have careers that cover a whole range of functions. We have major processing sites across England and Wales, and an agricultural network of over 350 farms, spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.

A little about our Telford site: Our advanced manufacturing site in Telford is one of our main processing facilities, processing up to 1.5 million birds per week. There are over 1,200 talented people employed at our Telford site, helping us to deliver high quality products to our customers and making the business a trusted leader in fresh foods. We’ve recently invested £2.3 million in technology and equipment, making it one of the most advanced food manufacturing facilities in the UK.

Job purpose: As a Despatch Team Leader, your role will be to support the Section Manager in managing the despatch processes and despatch colleagues in order to meet safety, quality, training, productivity and cost targets set by the company, consistently and cost-effectively. This role is a 6 month FTC.

Shift pattern: 4o4o 06:00-18:30 / 18:00-06:30

What will your key responsibilities include?

• Organise and motivate despatch staff to ensure they are working to their full potential, by accessing various IT systems including WMS and i-site.
• Help achieve agreed quality standards relating to temperature, pick accuracy, pallet presentation, and MHE compliance.
• Ensure the product is consistently despatched to the agreed standard and specification.
• Working with the MHE trainer and the Logistics Section Managers to help develop highly effective/performing teams.
• Escalate issues in a timely way through key personnel to include Production Schedulers/Transport Team Leaders and Logistics Section Managers.
• Deputise for the Logistics Section Manager, when required.
• Assist in the Management of the Companies’ Disciplinary and Grievance/Absence procedures by ensuring information i.e. Witness Statement, Return to Works etc. are collated appropriately.
• Ensuring staffing issues are dealt with effectively, consistently and fairly.
• Ensure the distribution of the workload throughout the despatch department is done in a fair and consistent manner.
• Complete iTrent for all weekly paid staff.
• Approve holidays within the current restrictions and update calendar and iTrent accordingly.
• Arrange overtime or cover with agencies when appropriate.
• Provide regular updates on shift progress through the escalation processes.
• Management of the bay procedures to ensure safety and adherence to SOP’s.
• Follow the defect procedure for MHE/Scan guns.
• To be aware of, understand, manage and adhere to the maintenance of good GMP.
• To be aware of, understand, manage and adhere to health & safety procedures, encouraging safe work behaviours.
• To be aware of, understand, manage and adhere to food hygiene procedures.
• To comply with and promote all Faccenda policies and procedures.
• Participate and promote the Faccenda Vision and Values.
• Ensure that within area of responsibility by an authorised employee trained critical control point (CCP) checks are conducted.
• Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time.

The duties of the post and job description will be regularly reviewed by the line manager. This list is neither exclusive nor exhaustive and you will be expected to carry out other reasonable duties as requested.

What you’ll need to be successful:

Knowledge & Experience:

• Essential: Extensive knowledge and experience of working in the East side Despatch environment, along with all process and procedures in place, including all palletising, picking and despatch areas. A proven track record in ensuring all aspects of team management are dealt with in an effective, consistent and fair manner. Experience of Invar systems including setting up loads and management of the WMS system to help improve operational efficiencies.
• Desirable: Experienced MHE operator. Relevant NVQ at Level 2. Understands and has utilised the current staff rotation plans to ensure all skills are utilised and colleagues are allocated duties in a fair and consistent manner. Understanding of computerised systems. Experience of training others.

Skills and Abilities:

• Essential: Ability to form good working relationships with all staff and managers. Ability to be able to co-ordinate, assess and train new and existing team members. Excel/computer skills. Good level of communication. Functional skills English and Maths Entry Level 3.
• Desirable: Experience in conducting investigations, return to works, absence review meetings and disciplinary processes. Knowledge of the Time Management System.

Attitude:

• Reliable with a good attendance record.
• Practical approach to problem solving.
• Personable and easy-going in nature but retaining firm control.
• Forward thinking and motivated.
• Quality conscious.

What we can offer you:

• £16.25 per hour.
• £2 UNS Weekly pay.
• Secure contract with long term career development opportunities.
• Access to our Employee Benefit Scheme.

What happens after you apply for this role? After you’ve applied, you’ll be contacted in due course by a Resourcing Officer at our Telford site, to discuss your application and CV further. There’ll also be a chance for you to ask us any questions you may have about the role. If you’re ready to work in a dynamic environment alongside talented people who take pride in delivering great results, apply today! We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.