At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the implementation of the Intersnack Working System and drive operational excellence.
- Company: Join KP Snacks, a vibrant team making beloved snacks like McCoy’s and Pom-Bear.
- Benefits: Enjoy an annual bonus, comprehensive healthcare, 25 days holiday, and a pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or 5+ years in site leadership; Lean Six Sigma preferred.
- Other info: Be part of a close-knit culture that values diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
IWS Manager
Billingham (Home of McCoy’s, Pom-Bear and more)
On-site
Join our snack-loving team
We’re looking for an IWS Manager to join us at KP Snacks. If you’re ready to bring your ideas to the table, grow your skills and be part of a team that values what makes you, you – this could be your next big move.
About the role
The IWS Manager will lead the phased implementation of the Intersnack Working System (IWS) at the Teesside site. This role is pivotal in driving operational excellence, enhancing employee engagement, and eliminating losses. It also contributes to regional capability-building and cross-site collaboration.
What’s in it for you?
We believe in rewarding our colleagues and helping them thrive. Here’s a flavour of what we offer:
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Annual bonus scheme, with a strong track record of overachievement
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Comprehensive healthcare support – including Medicash Health Cash Plan or Private Healthcare, Digital GP, Best Doctors second opinion service and specialist cancer care
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KP Pension Plan – contribution matching up to 7% of your salary
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25 days holiday, plus the option to buy more
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KP4ME – our online platform for benefits, discounts, wellbeing tools and more
What will you be doing?
Site Leadership
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Lead the Teesside site through IWS phases to deliver CBN and OGSM targets
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Coach and develop IWS Deployment Coaches and Line Leads
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Drive colleague engagement using structured tools including PBAT/OHA, ‘Values & behaviours’ and the Best Companies Survey
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Collaborate closely with site leadership and employee representatives
Loss elimination & systems implementation
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Develop and deliver the Site Master Plan and 90-day plans
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Apply IWS tools including Push/Pull pillars, UPS, 6W2H, DDS, CILs and Defect Handling
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Lead root cause analysis to achieve breakthrough results in OEE and reduce downtime
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Embed and coach Daily Management Systems (DMS) and standard work practices
Support & capability building
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Provide coaching and calibrated assessments across all site Pillars, Departments and Line Structure Teams
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Share best practices and contribute to global IWS capability development
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Build leadership capability across site teams and Line Structure Teams
Who are we?
We’re KP Snacks, part of the Intersnack family. Across more than 30 countries, over 15,000 of us work together to make the snacks people love – from Hula Hoops to McCoy’s. In the UK, we’re a team of around 2,400 colleagues, based across seven sites and our Slough HQ. We’re proud of our close-knit culture, where we speak up, celebrate differences and push boundaries together.
We’re committed to inclusion
We’re building a workplace where everyone belongs. If you don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you – your unique perspective could be just what we need. And if there’s anything we can do to make the process easier for you, just let us know.
We’d love to hear from you if you can bring:
Education & Qualifications
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Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field. Alternatively, candidates with 5+ years in a site leadership role overseeing teams of 150+ people will be considered.
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Lean Six Sigma or equivalent lean systems certification.
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Coaching accreditation and project/programme management qualifications (preferred).
Experience
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Proven experience in food manufacturing or FMCG environments.
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Leadership experience in operational excellence or lean transformation.
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Budgeting, forecasting, and capital expenditure awareness.
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Proven track record of embedding continuous improvement within operations, transitioning ownership from a traditional CI department to frontline teams.
Skills & Attributes
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Leadership Through Others: Candidates must demonstrate how they’ve enabled, coached, and empowered teams—not just delivered results individually.
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Broad CI Perspective: While TPM expertise is welcome, candidates must show adaptability across multiple IWS pillars and methodologies.
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Influence & Presence: Ability to challenge constructively, contribute meaningfully in senior forums, and drive alignment across functions.
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Analytical & Technical: Strong problem-solving skills, intermediate Excel proficiency, and familiarity with structured problem-solving tools.
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Communication & Coaching: Clear, confident communication style with the ability to inspire and influence diverse teams.
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Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect operational improvements to broader business goals.
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Presence in Leadership Forums: Demonstrated ability to influence, challenge, and align senior stakeholders.
#LI-SC1 #LI-Onsite
IWS Programme Manager employer: KP Snacks
Contact Detail:
KP Snacks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IWS Programme Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at KP Snacks on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to operational excellence and team leadership. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers – it helps you showcase your experience effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for snacks and the industry! During interviews, share your thoughts on trends in food manufacturing or how you’d approach challenges at KP Snacks. It’ll show you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace IWS Programme Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the IWS Manager role. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our snack-loving team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role is all about leading teams and driving operational excellence, be sure to include examples of how you've empowered and coached others in your previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can inspire their teams!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at KP Snacks
✨Know Your IWS Inside Out
Make sure you understand the Intersnack Working System (IWS) thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with its tools and methodologies, like Push/Pull pillars and root cause analysis. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show how you can lead the implementation effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership experiences, especially how you've coached and empowered teams in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to drive engagement and operational excellence, as this is crucial for the IWS Manager position.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some problem-solving scenarios during the interview. Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you've used structured problem-solving tools in the past to achieve breakthrough results.
✨Connect the Dots to Business Goals
Think about how operational improvements link to broader business objectives. Be ready to articulate your strategic thinking and how your initiatives can contribute to KP Snacks' success, especially in terms of continuous improvement and loss elimination.