At a Glance
- Tasks: Own customer manufacturing projects from order to delivery, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
- Company: Join Zendlabs, a fast-growing UK contract manufacturer in health and wellness.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering innovative products to market quickly.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in project management within manufacturing or FMCG; strong organisational skills.
Zendlabs is one of the UK's fastest growing contract manufacturers specialising in sports nutrition, health & wellness, nutraceuticals and functional products. From concept through to formulation, procurement, manufacturing, packaging, fulfilment and delivery, we help ambitious brands bring innovative products to market quickly and successfully.
You will own every customer manufacturing project from receipt of the Purchase Order through to final customer delivery. Acting as the single point of ownership, you will coordinate Sales, Innovation, Procurement, Planning, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance and Fulfilment to ensure every project is delivered On Time In Full (OTIF). You will proactively communicate with customers, remove blockers, drive accountability across departments and ensure customers always know the status of their projects.
Purpose of the Role
To successfully deliver every manufacturing project by coordinating internal stakeholders, managing stage gates, providing proactive customer communication and ensuring products are delivered safely, on time, in full and to specification.
Key Responsibilities
- End-to-End Project Ownership
- Own projects from Purchase Order through to customer delivery.
- Manage timelines, milestones, risks and dependencies.
- Ensure projects remain on schedule and escalate risks early.
- Customer Communication
- Be the customer's primary point of contact.
- Provide proactive progress updates and manage expectations.
- Communicate delays professionally with recovery plans.
- Cross Functional Coordination
- Coordinate Sales, Innovation, Procurement, Planning, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Packaging, Fulfilment and Finance.
- Drive accountability and challenge missed deadlines.
- Financial Coordination
- Chase deposits, proformas and payment approvals before manufacture.
- Work closely with Finance to resolve payment issues.
- Systems & Reporting
- Maintain accurate updates in the ERP/project management system.
- Own the live project dashboard and reporting.
- Continuous Improvement
- Identify bottlenecks and recommend process improvements.
- Support automation and improved customer visibility.
Stage Gate Process
- Commercial Handover
- Purchase Order received
- Commercial handover complete
- Project created
- Financial Approval
- Deposit received
- Credit approved
- Product Approval
- Formula, specification, artwork and BOM approved
- Procurement
- Ingredients and packaging ordered and received
- QA goods-in complete
- Production Planning
- Production scheduled
- Resources allocated
- Manufacturing
- Batch manufactured
- Production documentation complete
- Quality Release
- QC complete
- Batch released
- Packing & Fulfilment
- Packed
- Despatched
- Tracking issued
- Customer Delivery
- Delivered OTIF
- POD received
- Project closed
Daily Project Governance
- Chair daily cross-functional project review meetings.
- Review live projects, risks, procurement, manufacturing, OTIF performance and customer priorities.
- Agree actions, owners and deadlines.
Requirements
Essential Experience
- Minimum three years managing manufacturing or customer delivery projects.
- Experience within manufacturing, FMCG, food, nutraceuticals or contract manufacturing.
- Excellent organisational and stakeholder management skills.
- ERP/MRP/project management system experience.
- Commercial awareness and customer relationship management.
Personal Attributes
- Customer obsessed
- Highly organised
- Proactive
- Commercially aware
- Assertive
- Calm under pressure
- Collaborative
- Solutions focused
- Naturally accountable
Key Performance Indicators
- OTIF delivery
- Customer Satisfaction (CSAT/NPS)
- Project lead time
- Stage Gate compliance
- ERP accuracy
- Customer communication SLA
- Deposit collection before manufacture
- Manufacturing schedule adherence
- Reduction in project delays
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Performance bonus
- Private healthcare
- Company pension
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Hybrid working
- Career development
- Supportive, ambitious culture
Customer Delivery Manager - Manufacturing in Paddock Wood employer: ZendBox
Zendlabs is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets ambition in the thriving sector of sports nutrition and wellness. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive salaries, and a supportive culture, Zendlabs empowers its team members to take ownership of their projects while enjoying benefits like private healthcare and hybrid working arrangements. Located in the UK, this fast-growing contract manufacturer provides unique opportunities for career development and collaboration across various departments, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Delivery Manager - Manufacturing in Paddock Wood
✨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 ZendBox, 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 Customer Delivery Manager - Manufacturing in Paddock Wood
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 ZendBox 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 ZendBox
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with ZendBox, 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 ZendBox 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.
