At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and motivate a team to ensure efficient store operations and high-quality standards.
- Company: Join Pilgrim's Europe, a collaborative and safety-focused FMCG leader.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 33 days leave, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while driving continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and experience in FMCG operations required.
- Other info: Access to ongoing training and employee wellbeing initiatives.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location - Ballymena (onsite role)
Working Hours - Monday to Friday - 15:00 - 23:30
Pilgrim's Europe is seeking an Operations Team Lead to join our Stores team in Ballymena, playing a key role in delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality operations in a fast-paced FMCG environment. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys leading from the front, driving performance through people, and embedding continuous improvement across day-to-day operations.
The Role
Reporting to the Senior Supply Chain and SAP Coordinator, the Operations Team Lead will have full responsibility for managing stores operations and leading a team of operatives to meet business objectives and key performance targets. You will be a visible leader on the shop floor, ensuring standards are met while supporting peak production requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate, and develop a team with clear objectives and accountability.
- Ensure accurate stock control, cycle counting, and effective stock rotation.
- Maintain product quality in line with customer specifications and company standards.
- Support internal and external audits and coordinate customer visits.
- Ensure sufficient stock availability to support service sites.
- Monitor equipment performance and liaise with maintenance as required.
- Support labour planning to optimise utilisation and reduce absence and turnover.
- Deliver against agreed Health & Safety, service level, technical, and efficiency KPIs.
- Ensure all incidents, near misses, and accidents are reported and investigated.
- Drive improvements in CSL, labour utilisation, packaging, and utilities.
- Train, coach, and motivate operatives, ensuring training matrices remain accurate and up to date.
- Complete performance reviews and provide regular, constructive feedback.
- Promote engagement and communication through daily huddles and team briefs.
- Support the deployment of lean and continuous improvement tools aligned with Profit Improvement Plans.
- Identify opportunities to reduce waste, optimise energy usage, and lower environmental impact.
- Take full responsibility for Health & Safety standards within your area.
- Ensure compliance with Pilgrim's Europe policies, statutory requirements, and safe systems of work.
- Act as a role model for safe behaviour, hygiene, and housekeeping standards.
What We're Looking For
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Proven people management and leadership skills.
- Self-motivated with strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
- IT literate and comfortable working with operational systems and data.
- Management experience within an FMCG manufacturing environment.
- Food processing knowledge.
- IOSH and HACCP experience or qualifications.
- Experience delivering continuous improvement initiatives.
- SAP system experience.
- A demonstrated ability to lead and deliver sustainable change.
Why Pilgrim's Europe?
- At Pilgrim's Europe, our people are at the heart of what we do. We offer a collaborative, safety-focused environment where leaders are empowered to make a real impact on performance, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Competitive salary
- 33 days annual leave including Bank Holidays
- On-site facilities - Canteen opened for late shift, free car park etc
- Pension scheme with employer contribution
- Life assurance
- Career development and Progression Opportunities within a large European business
- Ongoing training and leadership development
- Employee wellbeing initiatives, including access to support programmes
- Discounts and employee benefits platform - Help@Hand
- A strong focus on Health, Safety and wellbeing
If you're ready to take the next step in your leadership career, we'd love to hear from you.
Operations Team Lead - Stores in Ballymena employer: Pilgrim's Europe
Contact Detail:
Pilgrim's Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Team Lead - Stores in Ballymena
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local events, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence. Focus on articulating your leadership experience and how you've driven performance in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative. Plus, it gives us a chance to see your application in the best light possible.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Team Lead - Stores in Ballymena
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Operations Team Lead role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant FMCG background to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance and led teams in the past – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you’ve improved processes or led successful projects in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrim's Europe
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of the Operations Team Lead role. Familiarise yourself with stock control, health and safety standards, and continuous improvement initiatives. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your approach to leading and motivating a team. Think of specific examples where you've successfully driven performance or improved team dynamics. Highlight your ability to engage stakeholders at all levels, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as managing stock discrepancies or leading a team through a busy period. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Since the role focuses on driving improvements, be ready to discuss any continuous improvement initiatives you've led in the past. Share measurable outcomes and how you engaged your team in these processes, showing that you're proactive about optimising operations.