An exciting opportunity has arisen, we are looking to increase our team at Hensol Castle Distillery and are currently recruiting for a Interim Manufacturing Excellence Manager.
Salary: Competitive
Contract: 37.5 hours per week/Interim (12 months)
Location: Hensol Castle Distillery
New role. Real influence.
Our distillery is on an exciting growth journey and we’re looking for an experienced Manufacturing Excellence leader to help unlock its full potential. Working alongside our leadership team, you’ll introduce Lean principles, drive best practice, improve operational performance and build the capabilities needed to support future growth and success. If you’re passionate about developing people and transforming operations, this could be your next challenge.
What you will be doing
You will play a pivotal role in shaping how our distillery operates, helping us build a culture where continuous improvement is part of everyday life.
Working alongside the leadership team, you will champion Manufacturing Excellence, embedding Lean ways of working, developing organisational capability and driving continuous improvement across Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Developing and implementing a Manufacturing Excellence roadmap that supports our operational and strategic objectives.
- Embedding Lean Manufacturing tools, methodologies and behaviours across the distillery.
- Identifying and eliminating waste, reducing process variation and improving operational efficiency.
- Leading continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis and structured problem-solving techniques.
- Using data and performance insight to identify opportunities and drive measurable business improvements.
- Establishing effective performance management routines and visual management processes that sustain improvements over the long term.
- Supporting the optimisation of production processes, asset utilisation and overall operational performance.
- Coaching, mentoring and developing leaders to build continuous improvement capability throughout the organisation.
- Delivering workshops and training that strengthen problem-solving skills, accountability and operational ownership.
- Acting as a trusted partner to the leadership team, helping to drive cultural and behavioural change.
- Leading improvement and transformation projects from concept through to successful implementation and embedding.
- Building engagement and ownership at all levels to create a proactive culture of accountability, collaboration and innovation.
- Championing the highest standards of safety, quality and compliance, ensuring all improvement activities align with regulatory and company requirements.
- Reviewing organisational structure and ways of working, and making recommendations to the leadership team on opportunities to improve efficiency, capability and accountability across the operation, including:
- Supporting the development of processes to trial new products outside of live production wherever practical, helping to maximise productivity during live production runs.
- Working with the relevant operational and engineering leads to review PPM, equipment capability and new product trial requirements, and recommending improvements that support maximum production uptime.
- Reviewing production planning and sequencing arrangements, including package type, liquid type, material availability and resource requirements, and recommending opportunities to improve efficiency and production flow.
- Supporting Production, Technical and Commercial teams in reviewing processes for customer specification sign-off, quality control, communication of issues and production out-turn reporting, identifying opportunities to strengthen controls and consistency.
- Reviewing actual manufacturing performance against agreed commercial assumptions and providing insight to the relevant teams to support future costing, planning and production decisions for the same or similar products.
- Analysing staffing requirements, labour utilisation and agency usage, and making recommendations to the Production Manager and leadership team on staffing models that can flex efficiently with seasonal demand and extended or double-shift requirements.
Role scope
The Manufacturing Excellence Manager will work in partnership with operational leaders to identify opportunities, develop improvement initiatives and build capability across the business. The role provides specialist expertise, analysis, coaching and support to help teams deliver sustainable performance improvements.
Operational leadership and day-to-day management responsibilities will remain with functional managers, with improvement initiatives developed collaboratively and progressed through the appropriate leadership and consultation processes.
What success looks like
Lean principles embedded across the operation.
Stronger leadership capability and accountability.
Measurable improvements in efficiency, productivity and profitability.
Reduced waste and process variability.
Sustainable improvements across Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People.
A proactive continuous improvement culture that will support the business as it continues to grow.
About You
You are an experienced Manufacturing Excellence or Continuous Improvement leader with a passion for driving change, developing people and delivering measurable results.
You will have:
Proven experience leading Operational Excellence, Manufacturing Excellence or Continuous Improvement programmes.
Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing tools and methodologies.
A track record of delivering sustainable improvements in productivity, efficiency and performance.
Experience leading cultural change and embedding continuous improvement practices.
The ability to coach, influence and develop leaders at all levels.
Strong analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills.
Experience within a manufacturing, production or process-driven environment.
Ideally, you’ll also have experience within food & drink, distilling, brewing or FMCG, together with knowledge of Six Sigma, TPM, OEE and Visual Management systems.
This is a rare opportunity to influence a growing business at a critical stage of its journey. If you’re excited by the challenge of embedding Lean principles, developing people and delivering sustainable operational improvements, we would love to hear from you.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Manufacturing Excellence Manager
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Hensol Castle Distillery, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Hensol Castle Distillery specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hensol Castle Distillery
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Hensol Castle Distillery, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Hensol Castle Distillery value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
