Site Excellence Lead

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don't compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

Click "Apply" to get started.

Reporting to the Factory General Manager, the Site Excellence Lead plays a key role in delivering the overall site strategy and is accountable for the development and delivery of the site Excellence strategy aligned to the pladis Global excellence framework across the Aintree Site.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a strategically vital workstream, delivering a range of operational objectives, strategic projects and culture change. You will report directly to the Factory General Manager at Aintree. You will also coach, support and facilitate improvement initiatives through both Team Managers and Operator groups in line with the pladis global Excellence framework.

Whilst the role is site based in Aintree, travel to other sites and supporting projects at other sites will be encouraged, and this will support benchmarking across both the home site and other pladis sites The role is not shift based but will require you to be flexible in supporting the delivery requirement of business / project initiatives.  

What will this role achieve?

Overall ownership and accountability for the site Excellence strategy that delivers improved safety, quality, service and cost. Participation in the development and execution of the sites culture change and programme and zero loss strategy will be a priority, as well as actively facilitating a team development of the Excellence principles. You will facilitate the delivery of medium to long term strategy to enable the factory to reduce it's cost base through the site productivity agenda.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Champion a strong health & safety culture by role-modelling safe behaviours and ensuring site policies are consistently followed.
• Lead, mentor, and develop cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement in operational performance and excellence.
• Develop and execute the site's Productivity Programme, including strategic planning, performance metrics, and targeted interventions.
• Facilitate the implementation and sustainability of Excellence tools through training, coaching, and collaboration with Team Managers.
• Identify, propose, and lead Capex projects focused on plant efficiency, while sharing best practices across Pladis sites.

Bring your experience.

Essential

• Proven experience in manufacturing, ideally within FMCG, with strong knowledge of Excellence methodology and lean tools.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and deliver multiple improvement projects, with a solid grasp of OU/OE and loss reduction.
• Skilled in working within unionised and cross-functional environments, fostering collaboration and shared goals.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels and present effectively.
• Highly motivated and resilient, with strong IT, numeracy, and literacy skills, and a passion for continuous improvement.
• Black Belt qualified (or working towards) with a track record of driving operational efficiency and strategic planning.

Desirable

• Proven experience in budget management, Capex systems, and implementing Excellence plans with TPM and commercial awareness.
• Strong understanding of behavioural development tools (Insights/HPB) and continuous improvement methodologies.

pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process. Some processes may differ, but we will keep you updated

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Car allowance, paid monthly
• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business's annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan
• Private medical Insurance
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme 
• 25 days + bank holidays 
• Holiday Enhancement Scheme
• 1 Volunteering Day per year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial Wellbeing Support
• Access to great training and development opportunities

Our Values

Purpose led – We're energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite

Agile – We're ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.

Positive – We're highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better

Resilient - We're persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward

Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together

Best mix of ingredients

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we're a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that's as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.