At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure smooth food production and dispatch operations.
- Company: Join Planthood, a fast-growing health food startup in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, career growth, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Immediate start available with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic food business focused on health and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in food production and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 13.75 - 14.9 £ per hour.
Join one of the UK's fastest-growing food businesses.
Are you looking for an opportunity to grow your career in a fast-paced, ambitious food business?
Do you enjoy leading a team, solving problems on the production floor, and making sure operations run smoothly?
If you're passionate about food production, efficiency, and delivering high-quality products to customers, we'd love to hear from you.
We're Planthood, one of the UK's fastest-growing health food companies.
Our mission is simple: to help people live healthier, happier lives by making delicious plant-based whole foods more accessible.
From our production kitchen in East London, we prepare and deliver thousands of meals across the UK every week.
Since launching from Hilary & Will's kitchen in 2020, we've cooked over 4 million meals, appeared on BBC Dragons' Den, and grown by more than 300% year-on-year.
Role Overview
The Operations Coordinator (Depositing & Dispatch) is responsible for coordinating and leading one of the most important areas of Planthood's production operation.
Our production process is divided into two key departments: Kitchen Production and Packing & Dispatch Production.
Once our chefs have prepared sauces and meal components, your team takes over.
You'll oversee the depositing process, ensuring our chef made sauces are accurately portioned into pouches using our Riggs Autopack depositing machines, before being sealed using our continuous stand-up sealing machine and prepared for dispatch.
As Planthood continues to scale, you'll help lead the introduction of our new twin-head depositing machine and support the launch of our hot filling operation, playing an important role in the next phase of our production growth.
You'll coordinate a small production team, keep production running efficiently, maintain high food safety and quality standards, and ensure customer orders are produced accurately and on time.
This role combines production coordination, team leadership, equipment ownership, food safety, operational reporting and continuous improvement.
Working closely with Production, Quality Control, Warehouse and Operations teams, you'll play a key role in ensuring products move efficiently through production and into our customers' homes.
Key Responsibilities
- Production Coordination
- Coordinate daily depositing and packing operations to achieve production targets..
- Allocate tasks and manage workflow across the team throughout the shift..
- Monitor productivity, efficiency and output during production runs..
- Adapt production plans in real time to respond to operational changes..
- Ensure production plans are completed accurately and on schedule..
- Lead by example and create a positive, motivated and accountable team culture..
- Depositing Operations
- Coordinate the daily operation of our Riggs Autopack Model 1000 depositing machines..
- Ensure hot and cold sauces are deposited accurately and consistently..
- Oversee the sealing process using our continuous stand-up sealing machine..
- Ensure packaging, sealing and labelling standards are maintained..
- Monitor allergen controls and food safety procedures throughout production..
- Minimise waste and maximise production efficiency..
- Support new product launches and production trials..
- Equipment Ownership & Process Management
- Become the operational owner of the depositing and sealing equipment..
- Carry out machine start-up, shut-down and routine operational checks..
- Troubleshoot day-to-day equipment issues and resolve minor faults where possible..
- Escalate maintenance issues where required and work with relevant teams to minimise downtime..
- Support the implementation of new equipment and production technologies..
- Dispatch & Stock Control
- Coordinate finished goods counts and dispatch readiness..
- Ensure products are organised, labelled, counted and prepared correctly for shipment..
- Maintain accurate production and dispatch records..
- Support stock accuracy and product traceability..
- Work closely with the Warehouse and Dispatch teams to ensure smooth operational flow..
- Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure team adherence to HACCP, allergen management and food safety standards..
- Complete and review production records and operational documentation..
- Support investigations into quality issues and operational incidents..
- Escalate food safety, quality and compliance concerns appropriately..
- Maintain audit readiness within the depositing and dispatch areas..
- Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, support and motivate the depositing and dispatch team..
- Train and onboard new team members on production processes and equipment..
- Monitor team performance and maintain accountability to standards..
- Conduct regular coaching and feedback conversations..
- Support the development of team capability and future talent..
- Communication & Stakeholder Liaison
- Act as the main point of contact for depositing and dispatch operations..
- Communicate effectively with Production, Quality Control, Warehouse and Operations teams..
- Use Slack, spreadsheets and production reporting tools to communicate operational updates..
- Flag production risks, delays, shortages and operational concerns..
- Support coordination across departments to ensure production targets are achieved..
- Continuous Improvement
- Identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement..
- Drive improvements in production efficiency, workflow and organisation..
- Support the implementation of new systems, processes and operational changes..
- Contribute ideas that improve productivity, quality and team performance..
- Key Skills & Competencies
- Previous experience in a food manufacturing or production environment..
- Experience leading or coordinating a small production team..
- Strong organisational and time management skills..
- Confident leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach and support others..
- Good understanding of food safety, hygiene and HACCP principles..
- Confident numerical skills and ability to work with production targets and operational data..
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets..
- Comfortable using communication tools such as Slack and email..
- Ability to troubleshoot operational and equipment issues..
- Strong communication skills and ability to work across multiple departments..
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced production environment..
- Key Behaviours
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability..
- Leads by example and sets high standards..
- Proactive and solutions-focused..
- Calm and organised under pressure..
- Positive, professional and supportive..
- Committed to food safety, quality and operational excellence..
- Strong attention to detail..
- Open to learning and continuous improvement..
- Ambitious and motivated to grow with the business..
What We Offer
- A chance to join one of the UK's fastest-growing food businesses..
- Opportunities to develop your leadership skills and progress your career..
- A supportive, ambitious and collaborative team environment..
- The opportunity to make a real impact as we continue to grow.
- About Planthood
Planthood is a fast-growing 100% plant-based meal delivery startup, providing restaurant-quality, finish at home meal kits across the UK, with a strong focus on health and sustainability
Experience
Required
Languages
English – Advanced
Employment
Full-time
Salary
Starting time
Immediate start!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Operations Coordinator (Depositing & Dispatch) employer: Planthood
At Planthood, we pride ourselves on being one of the UK's fastest-growing health food companies, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture that fosters personal and professional growth. As a Production Kitchen Supervisor in Leyton, you'll lead a passionate team dedicated to transforming lives through plant-based cuisine, while enjoying competitive salary packages and opportunities for career advancement in a dynamic environment. Join us to make a meaningful impact on health and sustainability, all from our bustling London kitchen.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Coordinator (Depositing & Dispatch)
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like Planthood.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Planthood!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Planthood, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at Planthood, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Coordinator (Depositing & Dispatch)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Planthood, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Planthood.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Planthood. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Planthood. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Planthood
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Planthood’s mission.
