Wco Specialist

**Purpose**:
As Australia’s most trusted manufacturer of natural health products and one of the Financial Reviews Best Places to Work in 2023, it couldn’t be a better time to join a truly purpose-led business. We are excited to offer the role of Operations Excellence Specialist (2 years fixed term)

This role will support, coach, and lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the World Class Operations (WCO) system across Braeside Operations, ensuring alignment and standardisation of practices across all group operations.

This role reports to the Operations Excellence Lead and will be based in our Braeside Operations in Victoria, working in a hybrid work environment of at least 3 days a week in office.

**Responsibilities include**:

- Collaborate with all functions in Braeside Operations to implement and embed WCO as a standard way of working across the business.
- Lead value stream evaluations, identifying bottlenecks and non-value-added activities to reduce lead times and increase efficiency.
- Scope and define improvement projects, including financial objectives, and develop project charters for execution.
- Manage low to medium complexity projects, ensuring efficient resource use. Facilitate Kaizen events to drive targeted process improvements.
- Standardise processes by implementing tools such as Standard Work (SW), 5S, Autonomous Maintenance (AM), and Short Interval Control (SIC).
- Provide mentorship and coaching on WCO tools like project A3, Problem solving, and RACI frameworks.
- Lead or support problem solving and performance issues sessions.
- Assist in developing WCO, including creating training materials and conducting training sessions on WCO tools and methodologies for employees.
- Lead and coach teams to build WCO capabilities.
- Support the development and implementation of a WCO capability matrix.
- Assess any changes being implemented for WHS risk and mitigate as required.
- Promote a quality first mindset within the team to ensure that product manufactured meets the quality and compliance requirements as required by TGA GMP principles.
- Ensure all activities are performed in accordance with corporate procedures and relevant GMP requirements.
- Changes to quality impact systems are assessed and documented through Change Control System.
- Identify and scope cost improvement opportunities across the site, and support project scoping and execution by providing coaching and mentorship to team members as needed.
- Drive operational cost savings through effective WCO implementation and targeted improvement projects.
- Support the development of a system for measuring and tracking of benefits of improvements made through WCO.
- Ensure all activities are completed on time and on budget with effective stakeholder communication.
- Demonstrate, role model, and champion the Blackmores leadership values by consistently exhibiting integrity, respect, and a passion for natural health.
- Deliver clear and effective communication at all levels of the organisation, ensuring alignment and understanding of key objectives.
- Understand and communicate the importance of relevant targets and KPIs, driving accountability for the team and individuals.
- Coach, develop, and support other functions to achieve company objectives, fostering an environment of growth and continuous improvement.Collaborate effectively and positively influence other parts of the business to enhance safety, quality, and operational efficiency.

**What we offer?**
- Opportunities to support your local community through paid community leave
- Great benefits to support your health and wellbeing, including access to discounted productsMental health support for you and your family through our Sonder assistance program

**Who are you?**
- Proven experience in supporting continuous improvement initiatives or managing site-wide operational systems.
- Extensive experience with continuous improvement methodologies, with a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma or equivalent preferred.
- Strong ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels within the organisation, demonstrating effective leadership and communication skills.Ability to mentor and coach teams, fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Blackmores Group is a leading natural health company with proud Australian heritage, with extensive reach across Asia Pacific. Founded by visionary naturopath Maurice Blackmore in 1932, our vision is to connect every person on earth to the healing power of nature by combining our knowledge of nature and science to deliver quality health solutions to people and their pets everywhere, every day.

Blackmores Group operates in over 12 markets, with headquarters and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Australia, and offices across South East Asia and China.
- Agencies please note: this recruitment assignment is being managed directly by Blackmores Talent Acquisition team. We will reac