Head of Production

Dechra are a growing, global specialist within the world of veterinary pharmaceuticals. Our expertise is in the development, manufacture, marketing and sales of high quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide.

Here at Dechra, our values are embedded within our culture and thrive within our family of almost 2000 colleagues globally. From manufacturing to marketing, (D)edication, (E)njoyment, (C)ourage, (H)onesty, (R)elationships and (A)mbition are at the heart of our everyday operations and the way we do business.

The Opportunity

The Head of Production role is fully responsible for leading, managing and defining the production delivery of the Skipton site with consideration of the commercial benefit for the wider Dechra strategic plan. The Head of Production operates as a member of the Site Leadership Team (SLT) with shared vision, objectives & key performance indicators (KPIs).

The Head of Production sets priorities, including support function personnel aligned to the Manufacturing and Filling & Packing Value Streams, and holds people accountable for delivery of performance across people, safety, quality, delivery and cost (P,S,Q,D,& C) to ensure the business requirements from the Value Streams are delivered on time, to specification and to budget.

• Average 36-hour working week (with a day off every other Friday!!)
• Opportunities for training and development
• 22.5 days annual leave + Bank holidays
• Option to buy a week's holiday each year
• 8% Employer Pension Contribution
• Company Car or Car Allowance
• Private Health Care and Healthcare Cash Plan
• Annual bonus scheme
• Free access to the Headspace App
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free on-site parking

So, what will you be doing? This role has a broad and varied remit and the successful candidate will have responsibility for duties including:

Responsible for optimising the people, safety, quality, delivery and cost (P,S,Q,D,& C) performance of all production processes by;

• routinely applying One Dechra Production System (ODPS) methodology
• leading by example to ensure Dechra values and "ways of Working" are routinely applied
• Training and developing staff to build capability, competency, flexibility & ownership in the team

People

• Ensure that the Value Streams (VSs) have the capacity (numbers & roles) to cost effectively deliver customer service demands.

Product

• Supply VSs customers on time, in full, right first time.
• Ensure NPD & TT projects are well planned and executed through multi-functional teams to deliver requirements on time, to specification & to budget.

Performance

• Lead VSs to deliver to target or better across the "balanced scorecard" of P,S,Q,D & C.
• Lead and support the development of the use of ODPS in the VSs to drive performance improvement and develop the capability of the VSs teams to effectively use ODPS tools & techniques.

Plant

• Ensure that the plant, equipment and services has the capacity and capability to cost effectively deliver customer service demands and business requirements.
• Ensure that plant, equipment and services are operated and maintained to deliver reliable service.

Processes

• Ensure VSs adherence to use of systems within the business and support the implementation of new systems and processes as appropriate.
• Deliver business objectives through strategy deployment, the use of the X-Matrix and supporting objectives cascade ensuring all team members understand their contribution to the business goals.
• Create a safe working environment across the VSs with a focus on driving health, safety and environmental improvements to benefit the business, employees and key stakeholders.

Other

• Be the Site Director's "Number 2", providing opportunities for delegation and development, and lead the site as appropriate in the absence of the Site Director.

Key Performance Indicators

• Deliver performance to target or better across the "balanced scorecard" of metrics covering People, Safety, Sustainability, Quality, Delivery and Cost (P,S,S, Q, D, C)
• Ensure compliance to all Health, Safety and Environmental regulatory requirements & routines
• Support Dechra's Sustainability initiative's, improving the site's sustainability performance
• Quality Management System On Time Performance (QMS OTP); Improve the quality processes closing out of specification (OOS), deviations, corrective and preventive actions (CaPa) & change controls within the agreed time frames
• Ensure delivery of compliant products on time in full (OTIF) within budget

• Proven record of in-depth expertise, experience and performance delivery in manufacturing, process, filling and packing operations within the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, health and personal care, food, confectionery, beverage, or similar highly regulated production environments.
• Experience of working within a GMP environment
• Ability to demonstrate commercial and business acumen
• Experience and knowledge of continuous improvement , Lean / Operational excellence

Due to the nature of our business, all successful candidates will be required to complete a basic DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service check) before employment can commence, and at regular intervals during employment. This check will be paid for by Dechra.