Job Title: Operations Manager
Work Level: 2A
Location: Crumlin, Wales
Hybrid Working: 3 days per week in the office
Function: Supply Chain
Business Context & Main Purpose:
To own the manufacturing operation for the Crumlin Pot Noodle factory. The Operations Manager must ensure that all manufactured products are of high quality and that the site exceeds the required levels of safety and quality standards. Positive, compassionate leadership that empowers the team to succeed through change is vital in this role.
Key Accountabilities:
• Safety, Quality & Compliance
o Embed safety and quality as core elements of the manufacturing culture, alongside performance improvement and waste reduction.
o Ensure full compliance with Unilever standards, internal procedures, and legal requirements.
o Lead 5S discipline on the shopfloor and maintain household standards.
• Operations Leadership & Cross Functional Collaboration
o Act as the primary operations partner for Planning, Engineering, Quality, SHE, and HR, ensuring operational needs and impacts are integrated into decision making.
o Manage and respond to wider supply chain requirements relating to service levels, efficiency, safety and quality performance, and cost compliance.
o Build strong relationships across manufacturing and wider functions to support continuous improvement and cost reduction.
• Team Leadership & People Development
o Proactively lead the manufacturing team with a strong focus on people development and capability building.
o Strengthen autonomous working and operator ownership by implementing the PD pillar, developing skill levels, and building the operator development pipeline.
o Manage employee relations and lead team communications to maintain high engagement.
• Continuous Improvement & Manufacturing Excellence
o Drive R2S deployment and strengthen shopfloor cell organisation, focusing on achieving AM (Autonomous Maintenance) steps 1–3, particularly CILR discipline to prevent forced deterioration.
o Lead Kaizen activity across all levels, including Quick Kaizen, Standard Kaizen, and Major Kaizen, supported by focus technicians and process engineers.
o Monitor performance, measure results of initiatives, and implement corrective actions to meet KPIs and KAIs such as Volume Conformance, Labour Productivity (Manhour/ton), OEE, Manufacturing Waste.
Skills/ Experience/ Qualifications:
• Relevant degree with strong technical capability.
• Excellent communication skills and proven ability to work effectively at all levels.
• Managerial experience in high volume manufacturing, ideally FMCG.
• Strong interpersonal skills and organisational awareness.
• Proficient in WCM/UMS problem solving tools with a solid understanding of R2S requirements.
• Confident operating cross functionally and across the supply chain.
• Proven track record in running highly efficient, safe, and quality driven production operations.
• Experience working within a strongly unionised environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through significant change in a factory setting.
What we offer:
Not only do we offer a competitive salary, but also our pension scheme, an annual bonus, a free gym / discounts to a local gym, a staff shop and shares. You’ll get the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and agile environment. We strive to achieve a family-friendly culture and to, above all, create possibilities for all.
Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing in partnership for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.