Based in North Devon and founded in 2010, Moo Free is a multi-award winning, leading dairy free chocolate manufacturer dedicated to treating those who either choose not to or can’t eat dairy.
Through our market positioning and high level of manufacturing expertise, we are experiencing a huge amount of demand for our products with the business achieving 50% growth in 2 years.
Moo Free is a truly unique business. We are committed to our responsible sourcing, diverse employment approach (where we support people with additional needs to gain employment), 0% of waste to landfill and a number of initiatives to help reduce our environmental footprint. It is because of this we are now a B-Corp certified business.
The Role
The Operations Manager will play a key role in overseeing day-to-day production activities. Their primary responsibility will be to ensure the optimal performance of our production lines, whilst continuously driving improvements in manufacturing efficiency. This includes managing staff, production schedules, quality control, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. A strong emphasis will be placed on maximising line performance, minimising downtime and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality products within budget.
Key Responsibilities:
Production Line Management: Oversee the performance of our production lines to ensure smooth, efficient operations with minimal downtime. You will monitor critical Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) like Productivity, line speed, and Efficiency/Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
Process Improvement: Continuously identify areas for improvement in line performance, waste reduction, and process optimisation. You will implement lean manufacturing techniques and lead initiatives to boost production efficiency and capacity.
Team Leadership: Lead, motivate, and develop the production team. Ensure team members are well-trained and meeting performance targets. Collaborate with supervisors and team leaders to manage shift schedules, maintain proper staffing levels, and address operational issues.
Production Planning and Scheduling: Work in close co-ordination with the planning team to create and execute production schedules that balance customer demand with optimal line utilisation. Adapt plans as necessary to accommodate changing requirements or production challenges.
Quality: Uphold the company's high-quality standards by enforcing compliance with food safety such as HACPP, BRC our Quality Management system (QMS) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Support the Technical Team throughout site visits from customers and auditors.
Health & Safety Compliance: Be responsible for and oversee and maintain a safe working environment by ensuring adherence to healthy and safety regulations. Conduct regular risk assessments, audits, and safety drills to minimise accidents and cultivate a safety-focused workplace culture.
Cost Management: Collaborate with the Logistics and Procurement teams to effectively manage operational budgets. Control labour and material costs by tracking performance metrics and identifying opportunities for cost savings without sacrificing quality or output.
Downtime & Maintenance: Work with the Engineering and Maintenance teams to reduce machine downtime by scheduling preventive maintenance, addressing equipment malfunctions promptly and troubleshooting production line issues.
Team Collaboration: Liaise with cross-functional teams including; Technical, New Product Development (NPD), Procurement and Logistics to ensure smooth coordination between production and other departments.
Essential Criteria
* 3+ years of experience in a similar role
* Proficiency with Microsoft Office
* Strong organisational and communication skills
* Strong ability to multitask
* Comfort working with multiple groups within business