At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational excellence initiatives to enhance manufacturing performance and drive continuous improvement.
- Company: Join a fast-growing global biscuits and confectionery business with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, strong development opportunities, and a culture that values safety and collaboration.
- Other info: Flexible location with regular travel to manufacturing sites and exposure to a diverse international network.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of snacking.
- Qualifications: Experience in snacking/confectionery industry and strong operational excellence skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Want to help us bring happiness to the world?
Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people?
Then this is the place for you.
As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire.
We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.
To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led , resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility , we 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
Click “Apply” to get started.
- Job Title
- Senior Operational Excellence Manager
- Location
- Flexible / Global (with regular travel to manufacturing sites)
- Role Purpose
The Senior Operational Excellence Manager will play a critical role in driving world‑class manufacturing performance across pladis’ snacking and confectionery operations.
This role will lead the deployment of operational excellence frameworks, improve safety, quality, cost and service performance, and embed a strong continuous improvement culture across multiple factories.
The successful candidate will bring deep experience in the snacking and/or confectionery sector , strong manufacturing and operational excellence expertise , and the ability to influence at all levels in a complex, global organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Lead the design, deployment and sustainment of pladis’ Operational Excellence (OE) framework across manufacturing sites, aligned with global standards and local needs.
- Drive measurable improvements in
OE%, cost, losses, quality, conformance to plan, and safety performance using problem‑solving methodologies.
- Coach and challenge factory leadership teams to embed continuous improvement behaviours and ways of working.
- Identify, prioritise and execute improvement initiatives with clear business cases and quantified benefits.
- Manufacturing Performance & Capability Building
- Partner closely with site, regional and global manufacturing leaders to improve end‑to‑end operational performance.
- Support capability building across factories through training, coaching and hands‑on support (e. g. Lean tools, root cause analysis, standard work).
- Ensure consistency of KPIs, performance management routines and best‑practice sharing across the network.
- Act as a subject‑matter expert for operational excellence within the snacking and confectionery manufacturing context.
- Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Champion a strong safety‑first culture , supporting continuous improvement in safety performance and risk reduction.
- Ensure OE initiatives fully align with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements typical of the snacking and confectionery sector.
- Support reduction of losses, defects, and variability through robust problem‑solving and process control.
- Change & Stakeholder Management
- Lead change initiatives across multiple sites and geographies in a matrix organisation.
- Influence senior stakeholders and factory leadership teams without direct authority.
- Work cross‑functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, R&D and Digital teams to deliver integrated improvements.
- Support digitalisation and data‑driven decision‑making initiatives where relevant to manufacturing performance.
- Key Requirements
Experience
Proven experience in the snacking and/or confectionery industry is essential .
- Significant experience in manufacturing and/or operational excellence roles within FMCG or food manufacturing.
- Demonstrated track record of delivering sustainable operational improvements in a factory environment.
- Experience working across multiple manufacturing sites and cultures, ideally in a global or regional role.
- Technical & Functional Skills
- Strong knowledge of
Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, CI tools and structured problem‑solving .
- Solid understanding of manufacturing KPIs such as OE%, net losses, service and safety metrics.
- Experience embedding standard work, performance management routines and continuous improvement systems.
- Familiarity with food safety and quality systems relevant to snacking and confectionery manufacturing.
- Leadership & Behavioural Skills
- Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills at all organisational levels.
- Ability to coach, develop and challenge teams to drive behavioural change.
- Structured, data‑driven and pragmatic approach with a strong delivery mindset.
- Comfortable operating in a complex, matrixed, international environment.
Education & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related discipline.
- Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt / Black Belt) strongly preferred.
- Fluency in English required; additional languages are an advantage.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to shape and elevate operational excellence across a leading global snacking company.
- Exposure to a diverse international manufacturing network.
- A culture that values safety, continuous improvement, collaboration and growth.
- Competitive reward package and strong development opportunities within pladis.
pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce.
All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.
We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List.
If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL.
We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.
Global Manufacturing Excellence Senior Manager employer: pladis
At pladis, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive employer that fosters a culture of collaboration and growth. Located in the vibrant Chiswick area of London, our team enjoys access to iconic brands and a supportive environment where entrepreneurial spirits can thrive. With a commitment to employee development and a shared passion for bringing happiness to consumers, pladis offers unparalleled opportunities to make a meaningful impact while working alongside like-minded colleagues.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Manufacturing Excellence Senior Manager
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like pladis, 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 Global Manufacturing Excellence Senior Manager
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 pladis 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 pladis
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with pladis, 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 pladis 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.
