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- Tasks: Lead initiatives to enhance manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join pladis, a global leader in baking and confectionery with a purpose-driven culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving operational excellence and innovation in food processing.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in manufacturing, lean expertise, and a degree in business or engineering.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to bringing happiness with every bite.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive because we expect pace and agility, insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.
- Lead and support targeted interventions to improve value and reduce cost.
- Identify, justify and support in the delivery of Capex projects related to plant efficiency, productivity and reliability.
- Establish performance baselines and deliver improvement against agreed KPIs including OEE, cost base reduction, quality compliance and safety.
- Ensure data integrity and rigorous problem-solving (DMAIC/PDCA) in project execution and benefits tracking.
- Proven senior manufacturing leadership experience (e.g., multi-site or former Site General Manager).
- Demonstrated leadership, development and deployment of operational excellence and CI programmes across multiple sites.
- Extensive experience in food processing and packaging, as well as site and line design within large-scale FMCG.
- Experience operating within matrix organisations and influencing without direct authority.
- Lean/CI expertise with formal certification (Green Belt minimum; Black Belt advantageous).
- Strong track record in coaching, facilitation and change management.
- University degree in business, engineering or related field.
- Fluent in English; open, transparent and culturally savvy.
- Analytical, solutions-focused, resilient and able to deal with ambiguity.
- Capex project leadership and systems knowledge (digital tools for performance management).
- Understanding of TPM and behavioural change models (e.g., HPB, Insights).
- Commercial acumen and experience working across diverse teams and categories (snacking, bakery, biscuits, chocolate).
1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.
Final interview based on Leadership Success Model Assessment/role competencies.
Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite. Formed in 2016, pladis is the proud steward of over 300 years of family baking and confectionery experience. The expertise of our 16,000-strong global workforce spans 27 bakeries across 11 countries and is united by our purpose: to ‘bring happiness with every bite’.
Director - Manufacturing Excellence UK&I in Manchester employer: pladis Foods Limited
Contact Detail:
pladis Foods Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - Manufacturing Excellence UK&I in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Dive into pladis' values and mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their purpose-led approach. This will help you show that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those competency-based questions! Think of specific examples from your past that demonstrate your resilience, collaboration, and accountability. We want to hear how you've tackled challenges and led teams to success.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of networking! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to get insider tips about the interview process and what it’s like to work at pladis. It could give you an edge in your interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the pladis family. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Director - Manufacturing Excellence UK&I in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Purpose-Led: When writing your application, make sure to highlight how your values align with our purpose at pladis. Show us that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely want to contribute to bringing happiness with every bite.
Show Your Resilience: We love candidates who can bounce back from challenges. In your application, share examples of how you've tackled tough situations in the past. This will help us see your positive attitude and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrate Collaboration: Collaboration is key at pladis! Use your application to showcase your experience working in teams and how you’ve influenced others without direct authority. We want to know how you can bring people together to achieve common goals.
Keep It Relevant: Tailor your application to the role by focusing on your relevant experience in manufacturing excellence and operational improvement. Don’t forget to apply through our website – it’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands!
How to prepare for a job interview at pladis Foods Limited
✨Understand the Company Values
Before your interview, take some time to really get to know pladis and its core values. They’re looking for candidates who are purpose-led, resilient, and positive. Make sure you can demonstrate how your experiences align with these values during your conversation.
✨Prepare for Competency Questions
Since the first stage is a competency-based interview, think of specific examples from your past that showcase your leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly and effectively.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
For the second stage, be ready to dive deep into your technical knowledge, especially around Capex projects and operational excellence. Brush up on your Lean/CI principles and be prepared to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles, as well as any relevant certifications you hold.
✨Demonstrate Your Coaching Skills
Pladis values strong coaching and change management abilities. Think about times when you’ve successfully led teams through change or improved processes. Be ready to share these stories and highlight your approach to fostering collaboration and accountability within diverse teams.