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
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What will this role achieve?
Reporting into the VP of Manufacturing for the UK&I region, The Director of Manufacturing Excellence in the UK&I is a key contributor to our performance journey across the supply chain, creating sustainable value.
The role holder will assess existing practices and provide leadership to design, implement and embed best-in-class excellence programmes that drive enhanced performance across key operating metrics, including line efficiencies, waste and losses, consumer complaints, quality and safety.
In addition to strategic programme ownership, the Director will build capability across sites through Lean and Continuous Improvement (CI) methodologies, coaching and certification pathways, ensuring a culture of continuous improvement and disciplined delivery.
What will be your key deliverables?
Manufacturing Excellence
- Own and drive continuous improvement of KPI performance, implementing data‑driven actions and cross‑functional initiatives to consistently meet or exceed benchmark targets of: ISL>98%, OE>75%, Net Losses<2%, reduction in Manufacturing Conversion Costs (MCC).
- Define and implement a practical site classification system to assess excellence maturity (performance, CI management capability, talent quality, operator engagement, labour practices).
- Create systematic pathways and levers for each site to progress sustainably from one maturity level to the next.
- Establish standards, targets, governance and periodic monitoring, with action plans that underwrite sustainable improvement.
- Focus areas include: line layout and plant flow; elimination of double touches and non–value-added activities; output per person and labour utilisation; labour models; deep understanding of line OE/OEE components including bottlenecks; smart automation opportunities; maintenance and line reliability; line scheduling patterns; losses management; and a zero-based approach to indirect costs.
- Foster a performance and CI mindset where operators are key agents of change.
- Support the design and implementation of systems and tools that enable digitalisation and efficiency.
- Lead on developing and implementing modern best‑practice methodologies, optimising asset performance, and embedding a culture of proactive, efficient, and sustainable maintenance across all operations.
Excellence Programme Leadership
- Design and deploy UK&I-wide excellence frameworks aligned with business strategy and corporate standards.
- Lead the rollout of Lean and CI toolsets across multiple sites; ensure consistency and alignment with wider pladis excellence methodologies.
- Develop and maintain a robust, prioritised pipeline of improvement projects to meet financial and operational targets.
- Facilitate the Goal Deployment (Hoshin) process and establish governance for delivery (cadence, reviews, escalation).
Capability Building & Coaching
- Deliver Lean training and oversee Green and Orange Belt certification pathways; sponsor Black Belt projects where appropriate.
- Coach site leaders, teams and individuals to embed CI behaviours and standards into daily operations.
- Build and sustain a culture of engagement and empowerment that drives ownership of results and continuous improvement.
Performance & Project Delivery
- Lead and support targeted ("narrow and deep") interventions to improve value and reduce cost.
- Identify, justify and support in the delivery of Capex projects related to plant efficiency, productivity and reliability.
- Establish performance baselines and deliver improvement against agreed KPIs including OEE, cost base reduction, quality compliance and safety.
- Ensure data integrity and rigorous problem-solving (DMAIC/PDCA) in project execution and benefits tracking.
Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management
- Act as the UK&I link to the wider Excellence community; share best practices and replicate success across sites.
- Influence and collaborate across all levels (operators to executives) to drive alignment and adoption of excellence standards.
- Support creation and communication of Site Strategies and Transformation agendas; build a compelling case for change and sustain momentum.
Governance & Standards
- Set and maintain UK&I excellence standards, measurement frameworks and audit routines.
- Run periodic reviews, maturity assessments and health checks; implement corrective actions and share learnings.
- Champion risk management and compliance across safety, quality and food integrity within excellence programmes.
Key Performance Indicators
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and OE components (availability, performance, quality).
- Health & Safety metrics (e.g., Lost Time Accidents, Behavioural Safety leading indicators).
- Quality compliance (audit scores, process capability, consumer complaint rates).
- Employee engagement scores and CI participation.
- Cost base reduction, value delivery and brand profitability.
Bring your experience!
Essential
- Proven senior manufacturing leadership experience (e.g., multi-site or former Site General Manager).
- Demonstrated leadership, development and deployment of operational excellence and CI programmes across multiple sites.
- Extensive experience in food processing and packaging, as well as site and line design within large-scale FMCG.
- Experience operating within matrix organisations and influencing without direct authority.
- Lean/CI expertise with formal certification (Green Belt minimum; Black Belt advantageous).
- Strong track record in coaching, facilitation and change management.
- University degree in business, engineering or related field.
- Fluent in English; open, transparent and culturally savvy.
- Analytical, solutions-focused, resilient and able to deal with ambiguity.
Desirable
- Capex project leadership and systems knowledge (digital tools for performance management).
- Understanding of TPM and behavioural change models (e.g., HPB, Insights).
- Commercial acumen and experience working across diverse teams and categories (snacking, bakery, biscuits, chocolate).
What will the interview process be?
- 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
- 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.
- Final interview based on Leadership Success Model Assessment/role competencies.
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 (if eligible by grade)
- Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
- Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan
- Private medical Insurance (if eligible by grade)
- 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
- Discounted gym membership – Carlisle and Chiswick only
- 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.