So, what will I be doing?

As Production Team Manager, you will be working predominantly a days based role with a level of flexibility to lead and develop our operations team on a 4 on 4 off shift pattern in a 24x7 operation. 

You’ll ensure our raw materials are prepared and finished products are produced to the highest standards in the safest environment. As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, you will identify, lead and drive performance capability improvements through the engagement and development of your Operational Team and the Ways of Working supporting the  strategic plans of Crewkerne site. As well as making sure things are running smoothly, you’ll always be looking for ways to improve the quality, efficiency and production costs through engaging and supporting your team members and collaborating with other functions.

The role normally involves a 12 hr shift, working 4  on 4 off, and with a level of autonomy to manage your own time to support days & nights shift based operations teams.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, developing and coaching the team to ensure effective delivery of all our operational requirements

• Develop and implement a plan for your team that delivers an improvement to your overall team skills & capability, ensuring that it is in support our operational design framework and is fit for the future

• Embed the physical and cultural safety and environmental management systems within your team. Ensuring successful delivery of the standards, performance metrics and underpinning values

• Lead and nurture site culture within your team through the role modelling of the Yeo Valley values along with demonstrating a personal leadership commitment to “Our Yeo Valley”

• Develop the quality and food safety culture within your team, ensuring compliance to the Yeo Valley Manufacturing standards and enabling your team to deliver best in class product quality which exceed customer quality standards

• Planning, organising and directing day to day operations to deliver the operational flexibility that exceeds our customers’ expectations, supports the development of our people and champions operational excellence

• Effectively monitor and manage the team’s performance against our business KPIs, identifying and leading improvement plans,  corrective actions and embedding ways of working to deliver ongoing sustainable performance

• Support and coach your team to deliver effective cost control of labour, service delivery and material usage. Take ownership to drive ongoing improvements of our “Cost to Manufacture”, working across functions and engaging stakeholders with opportunities and improvements

• Leading and developing the team to focus on asset care and quality assurance. Leading continuous improvement activities providing measured improvements through application of CI principles

Sounds interesting, what do I need?

The important things:

• Relevant people management experience
• Ability to influence people at all levels
• Working knowledge of Continuous Improvement application - 5s, SIC, RCA's, visual management
• Demonstrable problem solving and analytical skills
• Proficiency in IT software such as Microsoft
• Excellent communication skills

Even better if you have:

• Health & Safety qualification, IOSH or other recognised qualification
• Experience of working with external auditors
• Dairy science qualification
• Experience of coaching and development
• Asset care/ autonomous maintenance experience
• Change management experience
• Quality Control or Quality Assurance qualifications/experience 

Why should I join the family?

We’re independent, British and proud to be making the highest quality yogurts, desserts and ice cream under the Yeo Valley brand and for many of the UK’s major retailers. Operating from four dairies and two logistics centres in Somerset and Devon, we employ over 1700 staff and produce more than 25% of the UK’s packaged yogurt.

We’re sure you don’t need convincing, but there’s a whole host of benefits that we offer including:

• Competitive holiday allowance
• non-contributory pension scheme
• life cover
• healthcare cash back plan
• cycle to work scheme
• subsidised Yeo Valley products and services
• preferential rates with our partners
• annual bonus (as part of the Employee Benefit Trust, based on company performance for the year)
• learning and development opportunities; we’re committed to ensuring all of our employees have the chance to grow

Our closing dates are a guide for when the application window should close, although we may close the advert sooner if we can. So, we recommend you get your application in straight away – and don’t miss the opportunity to join us!

Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide employment sponsorship to candidates at this moment in time.

Please note that Yeo Valley do not accept speculative agency applications; we will only accept applications from preferred suppliers that have been submitted to us via our recruitment portal at the point of instruction.