The Wonderfield Group has recently been purchased by Zensho Holdings, the leading food service company in Japan with a market cap of $5.5b and whose aim is to become the worlds largest food company, a position from which we can eradicate hunger and poverty from around the globe. We operate restaurants, factories, and thousands of sushi kiosks and have recently built a successful cut fruit business, Snowfruit. Combining this with the three businesses previously owned by Zensho, AFC, Sushi Circle and Sushi Take, results in annual sales of $2.5b and Ebitda in excess of $140m a year with an ambitious growth trajectory.
Our Purpose: We Believe in Better Food For Everyone, The Japanese Way… We continue to capitalise on consumer trends, spearheading category growth by bringing our proposition to more people around the world across more channels, in more locations, on more occasions and in more innovative ways. We are committed to purposeful progress and profit for the benefit of our people, our communities and our planet and we have a clear ESG strategy that delivers progress against nine UN sustainability development goals.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Continuous Improvement / Transformation Manager to lead and oversee the transformation initiatives within our high care ready-to-eat food manufacturing company.
The successful candidate will be responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing processes, without compromise to the required high standards of food safety and quality.
Job Description
This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong background in food manufacturing, Lean/ Six Sigma, end-to-end cost savings (labour, material cost and overheads), project management, and change management.
The role will involve challenging ways of working and driving sustainable improvement across the supply chain which deliver tangible results.
The Successful Candidate Will
Lead process improvements, conduct lean training, and facilitate kaizen events – driving continuous improvement projects and activities.
Lead and drive cross-functional teams in delivering cost outs (waste, yield, labour costs and overheads), delivering efficiency improvements, processes simplification, as well as standardising and facilitating efficiency for lean optimisation.
Work with Engineering in coordinating cost reduction-based capital investment projects.
Train team members on problem solving and Continuous Improvement tools and techniques.
Coordinate NPD/ EPD meetings activities and actions to deliver successful launches.
To work with all key stakeholders to develop and maintain a positive Continuous Improvement culture
You’ll be joining a business with exciting growth plans
You’ll work in a fast-paced environment, with a fantastic team culture
Staff discount for the Factory products as well as 50% staff discount across all Yo! Restaurants.
Strategic Planning:
Develop and implement transformation strategies
Drive and manage end-to-end cost savings in materials (waste, yield, PPV), labour (headcount, throughput rates, downtime) and overheads through continuous improvements including capital investments projects.
Evaluate, select, and oversee the implementation of technology solutions that support business transformation objectives, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and factory automation.
Develop on going pipeline of CI projects to generate new cost-out ideas and help consolidate next cost-out action pipeline.
Ensuring project and programme governance is adequate for all programmed projects
Process Optimisation:
Identify opportunities lead initiatives for process optimisation, cost reduction enhancement within the current value chain.
Implement and/or support counter measures and actions for P&L based continuous improvement projects
Perform Quality and Lean activities collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure cost out and efficiency project deliverables (milestones, process improvements, etc..) are met in a timely manner, contributing to established targets with no compromise on product quality / compliance, supplier continuity, and efficiency and risk mitigations.
Identify opportunities for automation and digitalization at the site and execute implementation of relevant digital tools.
Change Management:
Manage and support change initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions and minimal disruption to operations.
Lean actions include optimising the execution of the changes resulting from continuous improvements to support cost-out actions, ensuring operational alignment and ensuring continuity.
Lead change management efforts by effectively communicating transformation goals and engaging stakeholders at all levels
Functional Excellence - Best Practice Sharing
Coordinate NPD/ EPD meetings activities and actions to deliver successful launches
Project Management:
Lead transformation projects from inception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
Lead all site Operational Excellence projects, from planning and coordination to follow-up, ensuring they align with business goals and performance metrics.
Holding teams to project plans and reporting on project performance
Taking personal accountability to deliver results that deliver value to the business
Expected Qualifications
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, operations management, or a related field is desirable.
Certification in Lean Six Sigma or similar methodologies.
Certification in project management and/or change management is desirable.
Preferred Experience
Proven experience in leading business transformation initiatives and Continuous Improvement strategies within FMCG environment.
Be passionate about and experienced in identifying and driving continuous improvement and work in partnership with our manufacturing and site teams,
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all organisational levels.
Have in-depth knowledge of multiple Lean / CI / OPEX tools and methodologies.
Track record of project managing performance improvement in fast moving, demand volatile, operational environments
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making and performance optimization.
Proficiency in technology integration and change management methodologies.
Experience in end-to-end cost-out (value engineering and value analysis) initiatives.
Experience in coordinating and facilitating the NPD and EPD process with cross-functional teams to their successful launch.
Working Conditions:
This role may require occasional travel to other manufacturing sites.
Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed.