Head of Operations Excellence

We are FBC UK, Fox's Burton's Companies! We bake the UK's most incredible biscuits. FBC UK was a match made in heaven, with two of the top UK biscuits manufacturers (Burton's Biscuits and Fox's Biscuits) coming together to create one unique, integrated company. We are home to famous iconic brands, including Maryland, Fox's, Jammie Dodger & Rocky, to name just a few. We are proud manufacturing partners to some of the biggest UK retailers and household names. We bake our incredible biscuits at eight bakeries across the UK, located at Isle of Arran, Livingston, Blackpool, Llantarnam, Edinburgh, Kirkham, Batley & Dorset and our HQ in St Albans. Together, we employ circa 4,000 amazing colleagues across all our locations.

We know that the key ingredient to our success is our people, and the passion we have for our brands. You could be the jammy to our dodger, party ring to our Fox's or the choc-chip to our Maryland?! We knead people with innovative ideas, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the commitment to drive FBC UK to success. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that feels empowered to build a fulfilling and successful career. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) we create a supportive environment for people to thrive and strive to have more positive impact.

We understand that having formal and on-the-job learning opportunities is key to our colleagues' professional and personal growth. We are committed to providing an environment where everyone can learn from each other and grow through a variety of learning experiences. Our colleagues make our business special. With strong community values, we believe FBC UK is a more prosperous and fun place to work when people feel free to be themselves. We believe in the power of being authentic, entrepreneurial, and supporting each other whilst meeting our business goals.

About the Role: As Head of Operations Excellence, you will lead the coordination of Operations Metrics definition, analysis, and root cause investigation across the FBCUK network. This role is pivotal in driving a culture of excellence, enabling data-driven decision‐making, and embedding continuous improvement practices. You will champion performance transparency and partner with cross‐functional teams to elevate operational standards and deliver sustainable results. This role will involve regular travel across our bakeries in the UK, therefore your 'base' location will be your closest geographical site.

Main Responsibilities:

• Operations KPI Management

• Design, develop, and maintain Group‐level KPI dashboards (Industrial & CS&L).
• Monitor, update, and communicate KPI performance daily.
• Ensure KPIs are clear, aligned with business priorities, and consistently structured.
• Partner with Finance and IT to ensure data integrity and automation.
• Lead enhancements in data architecture (MES, ERP, WMS) and enable fact‐based performance reviews with site leaders.
• Define and implement the Zero Loss Culture strategy using TPM, Lean, and OPEX methodologies.
• Deliver capability‐building programs to empower teams in loss elimination.
• Support adoption of Daily Management Systems (DMS) and continuous improvement routines.
• Facilitate structured problem‐solving (A3, DMAIC), maturity assessments, and benchmarking.
• Identify and share best practices across UK plants.
• Promote a continuous improvement mindset and identify training needs.
• Recommend innovative solutions in processes, technologies, and systems.

• Support governance processes within the COO function.
• Ensure alignment between the Industrial Master Plan and Group strategy.
• Track and follow up on key initiative outcomes.

Who we are looking for:

• Significant experience of progressive operational leadership within a manufacturing environment, with a proven ability to drive performance, optimise processes, and build high‐performing teams.
• Experience within fast‐paced, high‐compliance industries such as FMCG, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals, with a strong understanding of industry‐specific regulatory, safety, and quality requirements.
• BSc in Engineering or a related Science discipline preferred, with a solid technical foundation to support operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven track record in designing, implementing, and sustaining manufacturing excellence systems, embedding best practices, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across multi‐site operations.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver tangible, measurable results — including increased productivity, improved quality, reduced waste, enhanced safety, and cost optimisation — through strategic operational initiatives.
• Skilled in change leadership, ensuring alignment across cross‐functional teams, and driving adoption of new processes, technologies, and systems to achieve long‐term business objectives.

Diversity Statement: FBC UK is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at FBC UK. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.