VPK’s entrepreneurial spirit is in every fibre of our company. All around the world, our people are given full responsibility and trust, empowered to run our business as if it was their own. Taking ownership triggers initiative. It’s how we attract talent and manage to keep it, despite the fact that we have evolved from a family business into a powerful, privately-owned multinational. Our intrinsic level of accountability is what makes us so great to work for.
An exciting opportunity has become available for a strong and demonstrated Operations Director to lead operations across our UK & Ireland sites.
A key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation by driving continuous improvement in safety, operational efficiency, fostering innovation and maximising market opportunities. The Operations Director will be responsible for developing and leading the operational strategy as part of the overall business strategy to take an already profitable business to even greater levels of success.
If you are a strategic thinker with a proven track record in operational leadership, we invite you to explore this career-defining opportunity and be an integral part of our journey towards sustained excellence.
About the role
* Responsible for the overall safety performance in the sites by ensuring delivery of programmes, procedures and KPIs in accordance with VPK’s safety programmes.
* Develop and implement a strategic and sustainable plan for UK Operations working closely with VPK Group colleagues and sharing best practice to deliver at least budgeted objectives.
* Lead a team comprising of Central Operations who support operational excellence activity across all sites in the region, and of Plant General Managers who lead each of the production sites.
* Drive the effective planning and delivery of site performance targets to meet current and future customer requirements.
* Accountable for planning and setting of maintenance and capital investment budgets for all plants, equipment, buildings, transport etc. within agreed plans and budgets.
* Lead change management programmes, developing and engaging a multi-skilled workforce, ensuring a customer focused, continuous improvement culture with a commitment to driving excellence in all operational areas, specifically health and safety, product quality, productivity, delivery and human resources.
* Champion the effective selection, training, growth and development of operational colleagues to attain organisational goals.
* Accountable for overall performance of UK manufacturing facilities, including P&L performance, delivery of annual 'Plan/Budget’.
* Implement a waste reduction programme and eradicate non-value-added activities.
* Monitor & improve cost-productivity measures (output per FTE etc.), and drive year-on-year cost reductions through improved efficiencies and performance.
* Ensure manufacturing is underpinned by appropriate headcount, equipment and systems that offer the most effective solution for future business growth.
Skills & experience required
* Preferably a Bachelor’s degree/ MBA qualified, the successful candidate will have proven experience in a Head of/ Director level role, preferably in a multi-site packaging/FMCG organisation.
* Inspiring individual and team motivator with strong people management skills.
* A clear and confident communicator, able to maximise the full potential of an experienced senior team.
Additional
* Regular travel will be required to all VPK sites in the UK and Ireland with occasional travel to Europe