Business Improvement Manager in Maidstone

Company Description Fowler Welch (Part of the Culina Group) operates in the fresh produce sector providing time critical logistics solutions for major retailers, growers and manufacturers across the UK. At Culina Group we have a winning culture, we believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive. A place where you're valued, challenged, and inspired!

The Business Improvement Manager will be responsible for supporting the business core teams in initiating and implementing improvement projects and initiatives across all elements of warehouse and transport operations, as well as supporting functions.

Working hours: Monday to Friday. We are flexible for this role to be based at any of our sites across the country: Kent (Aylesford/Teynham), Evesham, Washington, Hilsea, Newton Abbot or Broxburn.

• Co-ordinate and work with site senior teams to identify improvement opportunities, which have a positive impact on operational and business performance across quality, cost, service and safety elements.
• Identify, agree and deliver improvement initiative objectives and timescales with site & regional leadership teams (Including as appropriate, local C.I. Champions).
• Produce clear operational improvement proposals, change plans and communicate to the relevant stakeholders as required, ensuring consideration for the cost benefit and complexity of delivering the change.
• Liaise with key stakeholders and subject matter experts to ensure the creation of fully considered and objective proposals and manage effective change processes where necessary.
• Ensuring plans and teams maintain structure, focus and deliver on the identified improvement projects for the region.
• Ensure savings generated through improvement initiatives are quantified and validated by Finance.
• Complete in depth and complex analysis to identify current performance and/or warehouse/transport trends used to support any improvements.
• Support the operational improvement implementation process; ensuring relevant operational teams have support and coaching throughout the change cycle.
• Utilise business central support teams including IT expertise to develop potential new ways of working as part of a depot / business improvement initiative.
• Complete analytical activity to measure potential and delivered benefits of any operational improvement proposal at either site, regional or business level ensuring capture of actual vs expected value.
• Provide regular communication updates on the progress of improvement initiatives at either depot, regional or business level.
• Act as a business control point to identify best practice and facilitate information sharing across the business, ensuring lessons learned are identified and shared.
• Ongoing collaboration - sharing best practice and generating ideas for future projects across the FW business, as well as wider Chill Division peers.
• Support and evolve tools and techniques to improve the business continuous improvement agenda.

• Logistics/Industry experience is highly desirable.
• Ability to apply Project Management and LEAN Methodologies to support the delivery of any given improvement initiative to completion.
• High level of communication and influencing skills required to ensure business stakeholders deliver the required savings and productivity initiatives.
• A proven track record managing project change within warehouse/transport operations.
• Ability to stay focused and proactively prioritise initiatives.
• Flexibility within the role to be able to contribute to a variety of areas within the operation.
• Able to demonstrate a high level of attention to detail.
• A strong operational warehousing/transport background.
• Able to work to tight deadlines.
• High level of expertise in MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
• Literate in warehouse/transport management systems.
• A proactive self-starter with the ability to work remotely.
• Should demonstrate the drive and desire to progress.
• Excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal, communication skills and the capability to interact at local to Senior levels.

As part of our drive to make Fowler Welch a great place to work, we are proud to be an inclusive and diverse organisation where we are committed to employee development and recognising success for hard working performers. Our dedicated learning and development programmes are open to every employee to give you the opportunity to shape your own future within logistics and continue to work in an environment where team culture thrives.

Our People are the driving force behind our success, which is why we offer a wide range of benefits which include:

• Annual Leave: Competitive holiday entitlement of 25 days plus the normal bank holidays.
• Company Bonus: We do our best work to succeed together. When we achieve our goals you'll be rewarded through our bonus scheme.
• Private Medical Cover: This gives you peace of mind, you have choice, flexibility and speed of access to the most clinically appropriate care via Bupa.
• Pension scheme: We want colleagues to enjoy a comfortable retirement so we offer a great contribution of 4.5% employee and 8% employer.
• Life Assurance: x3 your annual salary.
• Wellness: Via our Employee Assistance Programme we offer immediate access to a confidential telephone counselling and legal information service that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Eye Care Vouchers: We can provide you with substantial savings with free eye tests and discounts on prescription glasses.
• Reward & Recognition: We recognise that employees have gone the extra mile via Employee of the month and year, special recognition and long service awards.
• Everyday discounts: Via our benefit platform you will have access to over 50 retailer discounts for everyday savings!

If you meet the requirements for the above role and are looking for your next career opportunity please apply now and become a part of our #WinningTeam!