Global Head of Manufacturing in Penarth

Main Purpose: Reporting to the Chief Supply Chain Officer, the Global Head of Manufacturing will play a pivotal role in leading, synergizing, evolving and coordinating the Global Manufacturing function across all Bata owned Manufacturing plants. This role will lead the development, implementation and alignment of Manufacturing strategies and operational activities across all related OpCos and be responsible for continuously improving performance, improving cost efficiency, upgrading capabilities, rooting out non value-add cost inhibiting aspects of the operations. This role will work to ensure the Bata in-house manufacturing footprint is competitively positioned, future facing and continues to position Bata as one of the leading Manufacturers in the Footwear industry with defined advantages for our in-house brands over the competition accordingly.

Core Accountabilities:

• Ensure profitable and progressive operation of the Group Manufacturing units as a whole by achieving and surpassing the estimated performance targets through planning, increased efficiency, better organization and optimal resource use – Man/ Material/ Machine.
• Participate in formation of Group Manufacturing’s Policies, Procedures and Methodologies to ensure local decisions are consistent with overall Group and Regional strategies.
• Develop analytical tools to assess cost saving opportunities within various spend categories taking into account product costs, reliability, and in-house labor components as applicable.
• Work with and lead local Production and/or Factory Managers to ensure that deadlines are met to reach company goals.
• Uphold standards that meet Group’s expectations for the entire Manufacturing process.
• Ensure local teams maintain a positive, amicable and productive relationship with respective unions / IL channels while ensuring Bata manufacturing continually has the workers’ best interests in mind.

MANUFACTURING & PROCESS:

• Work with the Chief Supply Chain Officer in continuing the process of modernization of the Group Factories.
• Responsible for implementing Global Manufacturing strategy; take ownership of the Global Manufacturing policy, guidelines and any associated documents.
• Ensure that manufacturing strategies and processes are in place to meet Group business objectives and operational needs in terms of price, quality, sustainability and delivery targets.
• Develop the appropriate organizational structure, resource plans and processes to support the Group Manufacturing objectives.
• Recommend and establish continuous improvement processes like Kaizen, ISO, 5S principles and LEAN at the manufacturing units and ensure that management and operational teams are equipped to utilize such processes/tools.
• Contribute to timely finalization of shoeline, with continuously improving and effective Manufacturing activities.
• Ensure local OpCos maintain all plants in safe working order with high standard of housekeeping and machinery, preventative/predictive maintenance and equipment in good working condition.
• Connect with manufacturing units across various Bata OpCos to keep track of best practices and implementation of the same.
• Direct and participate in experimenting with new methods of production, new technologies to contribute to the development and refinement of capabilities.
• Ensure that all the Factories operate in accordance with HS&E policies and procedures.
• Facilitate collaboration between factories, development, commercial and costing to achieve cost target.
• Evaluate the global challenges faced by the business and recommend local actions to mitigate risks and develop opportunities.
• In conjunction with local teams, ensure all external maintenance contracts are regularly reviewed to ensure best value.
• Drive improvements in reliability for key aspects of Factories by completing reliability studies and identifying best planned maintenance strategy.
• Ensure the implementation and evolution of QA/QC and Lab testing procedures.
• Inspire and challenge local manufacturing teams to be at the leading edge of new technologies and innovative manufacturing processes.
• Communicate across all levels of the organization as needed: ensure local teams are receiving and passing along appropriate information in a timely manner so that decisions can be made.
• Work with local Manufacturing teams to set the direction and create mutually agreed upon roles, responsibilities, accountabilities, goals and objectives that are clear and understood.
• Understand and implement all internal policies pertaining to the Manufacturing processes.
• Input and hold responsibility for local manufacturing budgets, and manufacturing P&L; coordinate the preparation of the local annual Manufacturing budget, forecasts and Capex proposals as well as ensuring compliance with legal standards.
• Drive processes/practices that ensure cost efficiencies, value/cost ratio and material specification/BOM and CBD accuracy.
• Establish processes for performance and capability based selection of external contractors, ABUs.
• Uphold the expectations in achieving appropriate balance for Bata on Make vs Buy allocation.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• 10+ years of experience, ideally working in Footwear brand in Manufacturing capacities.
• Bachelor’s / College degree or equivalent professional experience in lieu.
• Deep understanding of end to end Footwear production processes.
• Strong knowledge of Manufacturing solutions, technologies and strategies present within the industry.
• Strong familiarity with LEAN Manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience embedding continuous improvement activities throughout operations.
• Motivated self-starter, with the ability to work both independently as well as collaboratively with a team-player mindset.
• Strong team management skills.
• Entrepreneurial, “roll up your sleeves” attitude.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to multi-task.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly developed PowerPoint and Excel skills.
• Proficiency in analysing and synthesising quantitative data.