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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations, drive strategic direction, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Company: Join KP Snacks, part of the Intersnack family, known for its inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, healthcare support, and 25 days holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations management, strong leadership, and knowledge of lean methodologies.
- Other info: Be part of a close-knit team that values diversity and encourages personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join our snack-loving team at KP Snacks. We’re looking for an Operations Manager to bring your ideas to the table, grow your skills and be part of a team that values what makes you, you.
As Operations Manager, you’ll provide strategic direction for our Operations function at KP Tanfield, aligning with our Intersnack Working System (IWS) and lean methodologies. You’ll lead the site through the Autonomous Maintenance (AM), Progressive Maintenance (PM) and Initiative Management (IM) pillars, striving for zero loss and 100% engagement.
This is a highly visible leadership role where you’ll combine hands-on involvement with long-term strategic thinking. You’ll focus on building capability, strengthening processes and embedding a culture of continuous improvement, while taking full responsibility for operational efficiency, capability development and capital project delivery as a key member of the site leadership team.
What’s in it for you?
- Annual car allowance of £7,500
- Annual bonus scheme, with a strong track record of overachievement
- Comprehensive healthcare support – including Medicash Health Cash Plan or Private Healthcare, Digital GP, Best Doctors second opinion service and specialist cancer care
- KP Pension Plan – contribution matching up to 7% of your salary
- 25 days holiday, plus the option to buy more
- KP4ME – our online platform for benefits, discounts, wellbeing tools and more
What will you be doing?
- Provide strategic leadership for Operations, driving alignment with IWS and lean principles
- Lead and coach site line structures, building capability and fostering a culture of ownership and accountability
- Deliver against OGSM/CBN targets and a robust set of KPIs, ensuring continuous improvement across SQCPDM metrics
- Take full responsibility for operational performance, including P&L management and circa £4M controllable costs
- Manage and deliver capital projects, ensuring efficiency and compliance with Health & Safety and Technical standards
- Drive engagement and empowerment across 122 colleagues, operating 24/5 on a complex site producing 42 SKUs across multiple lines
- Champion IWS pillars (AM, PM, IM) and lead pillar activity to embed sustainable processes
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:
- Extensive experience as an Operations Manager in FMCG manufacturing, with strong exposure to engineering and project management
- Proven ability to lead change and build high-performing, self-sufficient teams – moving away from micromanagement
- Strong business acumen and ability to use financial data to drive improvement
- Knowledge of Health & Safety and Technical requirements for food manufacturing
- Hands-on leadership style with the resilience and confidence to influence at all levels
- Experience deploying lean methodologies (IWS or similar) and delivering operational excellence
- A track record of coaching and developing teams, promoting cross-functional collaboration and driving engagement
- Ability to balance short-term priorities with long-term strategic goals
Operations Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: KP Snacks
Contact Detail:
KP Snacks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for an Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching KP Snacks and their operations. Understand their IWS and lean methodologies so you can speak their language. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you’ve led teams, driven change, and improved processes in previous roles. This will help you demonstrate your hands-on leadership style and ability to foster a culture of accountability.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the KP Snacks family. Let’s get you that Operations Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in FMCG manufacturing and any relevant projects you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for operations and how you can contribute to our team at KP Snacks. We love hearing about your unique perspective and ideas.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, emphasise your hands-on leadership style and your ability to build high-performing teams. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and engage their colleagues, so let us know how you do that!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at KP Snacks
✨Know Your Lean Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on lean methodologies, especially the Intersnack Working System (IWS). Be ready to discuss how you've applied these principles in your previous roles and how they can drive operational efficiency at KP Snacks.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your hands-on leadership style. Think about times when you've successfully led teams through change or built high-performing groups. This is your chance to show how you can foster a culture of ownership and accountability.
✨Understand Financial Metrics
Since the role involves P&L management, be prepared to discuss how you've used financial data to drive improvements in past positions. Bring specific examples of how you've managed costs and delivered against KPIs.
✨Engagement is Key
KP Snacks values engagement across its workforce. Think about strategies you've implemented to drive team engagement and empowerment. Be ready to share how you’ve championed initiatives that promote collaboration and continuous improvement.