Job Description

Function: Manufacturing
Contract: Full time / Permanent
Salary: 65,000 - 70,000 depending on experience plus a significant benefits package including profit related bonus, private medical and car allowance
Location: Newburn, Newcastle
We are seeking a Manufacturing Excellence Manager to join our Newburn team at the very start of an exciting journey. With a recent multi million pound investment in a new gluten-free bread plant and further expansion on the horizon, this is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Manufacturing Excellence (MEX) at our site.
In this pivotal role, you will set the standards and drive the culture of continuous improvement, focusing on machine efficiency, Lean principles, and loss mapping. You'll champion techniques such as Gemba walks-observing the real workplace to identify improvements-and structured approaches like root cause analysis to reduce waste, enhance quality, and deliver incremental, sustainable change.
The Recipe
This role will set the standards, tone and status of Continuous Improvement and Manufacturing Excellence in partnership with our national Manufacturing Excellence team. As part of our continuous improvement strategy, our Manufacturing Excellence Manager will be responsible for developing and delivering the Manufacturing Excellence strategy across the operational activities, defining a clear plan on the sites for the continued improvement of the Manufacturing Excellence program.
Working directly for the General Manager the role holder will support our Newburn site based in Newcastle in the communication and implementation of the Manufacturing Excellence plan.
To be considered for this critical role, we're looking for a candidate with a clear, strategic vision, who displays strong initiative and drive for continuous improvement with a natural coaching and development style and a genuine interest in people development. Great teamwork and inspiring leadership are critical to the role.
Essential Ingredients

• Experience at Senior Manager level
• Significant operational and CI experience to include the delivery of a CI strategy
• Formal CI qualification e.g six sigma
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Excellence Operating Frameworks and Practices with demonstrative evidence of achievements
• Experience of leadership and process improvement in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to support the education, understanding and upskilling of our manufacturing teams, to drive business performance
• Ability to identify projects which will deliver benefits in both cost and capacity across the sites, optimising best practice, benchmarking key metrics and improving operating efficiencies
• Ability to challenge the operational status quo and will use problem solving tools to support improved business performance and growth
• A credible, approachable and resilient character with a determination to succeed
• Experience leading and influencing cross-functional teams
• Ability to gain the buy in of key stakeholders at site and across the wider business
• Experience managing complex change and/or transformation projects
• Strong belief in the importance of H&S within manufacturing/engineering
• Ability to communicate across all levels and work on own initiative.

Extra Dough
Last but by no means least you'll want to know what your breads worth:

• Car allowance
• A slice of the annual profits (discretionary profit share)
• Family time is important to us and we know it will be to you, so you will have 5 weeks holiday and bank hols. Plus the opportunity to purchase up to an extra weeks annual leave
• Award winning pension scheme with company contributions
• Private medical insurance, health screening and life assurance
• Products you will love along with deals and discounts for you and the family through our Extra Dough website
• Support for your health and wellbeing, including access to free physiotherapy, 24/7 access to a confidential helpline for practical advice and a comprehensive occupational health service

Key Accountabilities and Measures

• Within a site context define the implementation approach and execute the Focussed Improvement and Autonomous Maintenance pillars of the Manufacturing Excellence program, with demonstrable engagement of the Operations team, identifying projects which deliver benefits in cost and capacity across the estate.
• To develop a plan based on business priorities and strategic direction at a site level that will identify opportunities based on operational metrics. Lead the effective execution of the plan ensuring engagement of key stakeholders and operations managers.
• To engage and motivate site teams to deliver the ME strategy and promote a positive, proactive approach in associated project management.
• Ensure bakery controllable costs and manning levels are optimised across all sites through benchmarking and spread of best practice.
• Propose implementation of lean manufacturing processes where applicable
• To work effectively with Project Engineering and the broader ME team to identify and support any process improvement opportunities and operational efficiency improvements.
• To be responsible for maintaining own continuous professional development and knowledge to ensure the BMB, Business leaders and Managers have a reliable and professional service to meet business needs.

We respect and value difference. We look to create an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Companies that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, or any other aspect which makes them unique, are proven to be better companies. More importantly, creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work, is the right thing to do.

Skills Required