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- Tasks: Lead and inspire a large operations team in a dynamic pet nutrition environment.
- Company: Join Mars, a top-rated workplace focused on innovation and employee growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, and generous parental leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that champions safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years in high-speed manufacturing; passion for people development and operational excellence.
- Other info: Great career growth potential with access to mentoring and training.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen at our Pet Nutrition Care & Treats Birstall site for an Operations Manager to join the Site Management Team as a senior leader. This role is pivotal in shaping and delivering the site strategy, with a strong emphasis on Safety, Quality, Cost, and People. You will lead a large operations team, drive cultural transformation, and champion operational excellence through effective leadership, strategic vision, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership & Collaboration: Champion and support the delivery of the site strategy, ensuring alignment with Safety, Quality, and Cost objectives. Play a critical role in the Site Leadership Team (SLT), fostering collaboration and strong relationships across all site functions. Contribute to long-term strategic planning and decision-making for operational manufacturing excellence.
- People Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 12 direct reports and 250 indirect reports, creating a high-performance culture through coaching, engagement, and continuous development. Drive talent management, succession planning, and organizational development within the Operations team. Embed safety and quality mindsets and behaviours; drive a cultural change towards ownership and responsibility on-site.
- Operational Excellence: Accountable for delivering site production targets and optimizing the use of resources. Implement and sustain Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives to optimize equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and drive continuous improvement. Lead the OPEX agenda on site, identifying and executing the roadmap for continuous improvement and cultural change. Manage balanced scorecards/KPIs covering safety, quality, efficiency, and cost for both short- and long-term goals. Deliver on production conversion cost targets for the site.
- Safety & Quality Compliance: Ensure delivery of required standards across Safety, Quality, and Food Safety compliance areas, fostering a "safety-first" mindset. Champion initiatives to maintain the highest standards in food safety and workplace safety for all associates.
- Innovation & Digital Transformation: Leverage automation and digital manufacturing tools to enhance operational efficiency. Train and support teams in adopting new technologies, driving digital execution and confidence.
What We're Looking For:
- Proven People Leader: Passionate about developing talent and engaging associates; able to motivate and coach teams in a manufacturing setting.
- Operational Expertise: Minimum 2-3 years' experience leading complex, high-speed manufacturing operations, ideally within FMCG.
- Strategic Thinker: Experience with site-level strategic planning; skilled in managing KPIs and balanced scorecards.
- Continuous Improvement Advocate: Demonstrated expertise in lean principles (e.g., Six Sigma), TPM, and driving operational improvements.
- Technical Background: Degree or relevant qualification in a technical or business field preferred.
- Tech-Savvy: Experience with automation, digital manufacturing tools, and the ability to drive technology adoption.
- Growth Potential: Ambition and capability to develop into future business leadership roles (e.g., Plant Manager).
What Can You Expect from Mars?
- Consistently ranked among the UK's Top 10 'Great Places to Work' since 2016.
- Competitive salary, yearly bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Equal Parental Leave: 52 weeks off (26 paid at 90% salary) for all new parents.
- Mentoring and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.
- Purpose-driven work environment focused on building a better world tomorrow.
- Succession potential for director-level roles through strong performance and personal development.
Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or neurodiversity during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form.
Operations and Lean Manager in Batley employer: MARS Care & Treats
Contact Detail:
MARS Care & Treats Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations and Lean Manager in Batley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Birstall site 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 diving deep into the company’s values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their mission in pet nutrition.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your experiences in driving cultural change and operational excellence. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Mars.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations and Lean Manager in Batley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations and Lean Manager role. Highlight your experience in leading teams, driving operational excellence, and any relevant lean principles you've applied. We want to see how your skills align with our site strategy!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Mention specific examples of your leadership and continuous improvement initiatives that relate to our goals.
Showcase Your Achievements: When filling out your application, don’t just list your responsibilities—show us your achievements! Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you've improved safety, quality, or efficiency in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MARS Care & Treats
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of operations management, especially in a manufacturing context. Familiarise yourself with lean principles, TPM, and how they apply to the pet nutrition industry. This will not only show your expertise but also your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a potential leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to mentor and develop teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged and motivated your team in previous roles. Highlight any specific initiatives you led that fostered a high-performance culture.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategic Vision
Think about how you would contribute to the site strategy and long-term planning. Be prepared to discuss your experience with KPIs and balanced scorecards, and how you've used them to drive operational excellence. This shows you're not just a doer, but a strategic thinker.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Prepare to talk about your experience with continuous improvement initiatives. Whether it's through lean methodologies or digital transformation, be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven change and improved processes in your past roles.
