Head of Warehouse and Production -Food Manufacturing

The new Head of Warehouse and Production for this food manufacturing site located in Park Royal will be responsible for managing a small team across warehousing, packing, dispatch, and site engineering. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Head of Warehouse & Production will play a key role in supporting the growth of this SME/food brand, including overseeing the integration of new machinery in 2025.

Client Details

My client is a privately owned, well-established food brand manufacturer with over 10 years of experience, supplying one of the UK's largest retailers. With plans for growth and steady expansion, they are now seeking to strengthen their senior leadership team by adding a knowledgeable candidate with expertise in food manufacturing, dispatch, warehousing, production, and engineering.

Description

This role requires a strong leader with a mix of operational management, technical knowledge, and people skills. The individual must efficiently manage warehousing operations, ensure machinery and site maintenance, handle packaging processes, and collaborate with various departments to ensure the smooth flow of goods from production to packing. This position is integral to maintaining operational efficiency and meeting production goals, especially during peak periods.

• Warehousing: Overseeing the storage and organization of inventory. This includes managing warehouse layout, stock rotation (e.g., FIFO - first in, first out), and optimizing storage space.

• Park Royal: Likely refers to a specific location (perhaps a warehouse or site). The role involves managing operations specific to this site.

• Stock and Counts: Maintaining accurate stock levels and conducting regular stock counts (including inventory checks and reconciliation). Ensuring the right quantities of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished goods are available.

• Call-offs: Refers to the process of making inventory available when needed, usually in coordination with the production and supply chain teams.

• Ordering of pallets, packaging materials: The head of this role is responsible for maintaining an adequate supply of packaging materials, ensuring that raw materials and packaging supplies (e.g., boxes, bags, pouches) are consistently stocked to meet production needs.

• Site Management:

  • Machinery/equipment maintenance/engineering (PPM): Ensuring regular maintenance and servicing of machinery, such as packaging equipment, to avoid downtime. The head would manage preventative maintenance (PPM) schedules, ensuring that all equipment remains functional and in good condition.
  • Site facilities/maintenance: Overseeing the physical site's upkeep, including general maintenance of the building and infrastructure (e.g., utilities, plumbing, lighting).
  • Site security: Responsible for managing security at the warehouse and packing site to protect assets, staff, and inventory.

• Packing Department: This is a critical part of the role:

  • Overseeing the team that packs popcorn into various packaging forms (e.g., pouches, bags, jars). This includes ensuring efficient operations and adherence to product quality standards.
  • Optimizing processes in the packing department to improve speed, reduce waste, and maintain safety standards.

• People Management: Managing a team of approximately 18 people, with the potential to grow to 40 during peak periods. This involves training, performance management, conflict resolution, and ensuring that the team is motivated and productive.

• Labour Cost Budgeting and Control: The Head of Warehouse and Site and Packing is responsible for managing the budget related to labor costs. This includes forecasting staffing needs, managing overtime, and optimizing shifts to meet production needs without overspending.

• Supporting Order Prioritization with the Supply Chain Team: Collaborating with the supply chain team to prioritize orders based on urgency, production schedules, and customer demand.

• Collaboration with Kitchens Production Team: Ensuring a smooth transition of materials and products between the kitchen (production) and packing teams. This also involves resolving issues related to inventory or production delays.

• Support for Technical Team's Objectives: Working with the technical team to ensure that the production and packing processes align with industry standards, particularly in food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance.

Profile

• Production/Manufacturing experience within Food or Beverage manufacturing.
• Prior experience working in a Small Manufacturing site or a Start-up / Scale-up (10-80 people headcount)!
• Knowledge in Conscious Improvement or 6sigma or LEAN mythologies a plus.
• Previous experience in managing warehouse operations, including handling stock, performing inventory management, and ensuring site maintenance.
• Strong proficiency in using Excel and other software tools for inventory tracking, reporting, and operational planning.
• A forklift license may be beneficial for overseeing the movement of heavy pallets and stock within the warehouse.
• Understanding the technical and mechanical aspects of machinery used in packing, including troubleshooting minor issues or coordinating with engineers for repairs, would be helpful.
• Comfortable with being both hands-on and strategic!

Job Offer

• Salary £50-60K+
• Standard Benefits (25 days holiday, medical, pension, etc.)
• Great experience working with Business Owner
• Great company culture
• Autonomy and Professional development