At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a cultural transformation in pet food manufacturing for continuous improvement and ownership.
- Company: Join Mars Care and Treats, a leader in the pet food industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and access to Mars University for personal development.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team focused on building a better tomorrow.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming manufacturing culture and performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing excellence and change leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Job Description
The Opportunity
We are looking for an exceptional Manufacturing Excellence Lead to lead a significant transformation of how we operate our pet food manufacturing site here at Mars Care and Treats Birstall.
We are looking for a leader who can change the culture of the factory — moving the organisation from reactive problem solving and dependence on specialists towards a culture of ownership, prevention, structured problem solving and continuous improvement.
You will lead the deployment of our Mars Manufacturing Excellence program (MSE – Mars Supply Excellence), working across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and site leadership to create a high-performing organisation where everyone owns the performance of their area and every loss becomes an opportunity to improve.
The successful candidate will be highly visible on the shop floor, credible with operators and technicians, and equally comfortable influencing and challenging the site and regional leadership teams.
Your Mission
Your mission will be to build a manufacturing culture based on
- Zero-loss thinking
- Total associate ownership
- Prevention rather than firefighting
- Fact-based problem solving
- Strong standards and disciplined execution
- Continuous improvement as part of everyday work
- Leadership ownership of performance
- Developing people and capability
You will lead pillar leads and teams to create the systems, routines and behaviours that make this culture sustainable.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Site Manufacturing Excellence (MSE) Transformation
- Own and lead the site's manufacturing excellence strategy (MSE) and transformation roadmap.
- Establish a clear maturity journey for the factory, with defined standards, milestones and measures.
- Lead the organisation through a significant cultural and behavioural change programme.
- Build a strong zero-loss mindset, ensuring the organisation systematically identifies, prioritises and eliminates losses.
- Establish the management systems, routines and governance required to sustain the transformation.
- Partner with the Site Leadership Team to make manufacturing excellence a core part of the site's operating strategy.
- Build Total Associate Ownership
- Create an environment where operators, technicians and leaders take ownership for the performance and condition of their areas.
- Build ownership of standards, equipment, quality and performance at the point of work.
- Develop frontline capability to identify abnormalities, understand losses and solve problems.
- Create a culture where people are encouraged and expected to improve the way they work.
- Embed Manufacturing Excellence (MSE) & Daily Management
- Develop and embed MSE methodologies including leading and aligning pillars on safety, quality, autonomous maintenance, planned maintenance, focused improvement and education & training.
- Strengthen daily management and performance routines across the factory.
- Establish clear standards and escalation processes for abnormalities and performance gaps.
- Develop robust problem-solving capability using appropriate structured methodologies.
- Use regular reviews and maturity assessments to identify gaps and drive improvement.
- Ensure MSE becomes part of the site's daily operating system, rather than a separate programme.
- Coach Leaders & Build Capability
A critical part of this role is building capability rather than becoming the person who solves every problem.
- Coach site leaders, managers, team leaders and frontline associates in MSE methodologies (Manufacturing excellence).
- Develop a network of strong pillar leads, champions and subject-matter experts.
- Build leadership capability to sustain the transformation after individual projects are complete.
- Challenge leaders to own their area's performance and improvement agenda.
- Develop training and coaching programmes appropriate to different levels of the organisation.
- Share best practice and create a learning culture across the site.
- Lead Change Across the Factory
- Act as the visible leader and champion of the transformation.
- Create a compelling vision for why the organisation needs to change and what good looks like.
- Build engagement and commitment across all levels of the factory.
- Identify and address resistance to change.
- Communicate progress, celebrate successes and maintain momentum.
- Work with leaders to ensure new behaviours are reinforced through systems, recognition and accountability.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who has demonstrated that they can change both performance and culture in a manufacturing environment.
You will ideally have
- Significant experience in
TPM, IWS, Operational Excellence, Manufacturing Excellence or Continuous Improvement deployment.
- Proven experience leading a significant transformation within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong practical understanding of TPM principles and loss-elimination methodologies.
- Experience embedding autonomous maintenance and operator ownership.
- Experience developing daily management and performance systems.
- A track record of delivering measurable improvements in OEE, reliability, productivity, waste, quality and cost.
- Strong coaching and change-leadership capability.
- The ability to influence senior leaders while building genuine credibility with shop floor teams.
- Experience working in a high-volume FMCG, food, beverage or similarly complex manufacturing environment would be advantageous.
- Why This Role Matters
This is an opportunity to fundamentally change the way an entire manufacturing site operates.
You will have the opportunity to take a factory on a genuine cultural and operational transformation journey , building the capability, ownership and systems required to deliver world-class manufacturing performance.
If you are passionate about people, manufacturing, loss elimination and creating lasting change , this is a role where you can have a significant and visible impact.
What can you expect from Mars?
- Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
- Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
- An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Manufacturing Excellence Lead in Batley employer: Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates
At Mars, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions the voice of the Pet Parent. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through best-in-class learning opportunities, including access to Mars University, and a competitive salary and benefits package. Join us in a purpose-driven environment where your contributions directly impact pet parent trust and advocacy, all while working alongside a diverse team dedicated to making a difference.
Contact Details:
Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Excellence Lead in Batley
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✨Leverage the Power of Internships
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✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates, 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!
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Excellence Lead in Batley
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 Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates 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 Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates, 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 Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates 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.
