Head of Food Production

Head of Food Production
GBP60,000 – GBP75,000 per annum depending on experience plus annual performance bonus fantastic benefits

Production and Innovation at The Newt in Somerset

The Newt in Somerset brand is a fine–quality grocery & beverage producer and direct–to–consumer supplier. This is achieved via a full vertically integrated consumer proposition and operation that allows tight quality control across all phases of the product delivery, making it a truly best–in–class experience for our customers. The Newt is on an exciting journey to expand the volume and breadth of what we offer with our growing E–commerce business. We are in the process of developing some brand–new production facilities for Meat, Fish, and dairy in phase 1. In 2023 there will be additional facilities in new product areas.

Our Head of Food Production

Head of Operations will strategically oversee the operational plan of all Products being made in the new facilities phase 1 and phase 2.

This is an exciting role as the site is in its building stage and there is the opportunity to support shaping the new facilities, define best practice of operation and input new standards and procedures within the operation. Quality and efficiency will be of upmost importance. Initial stages will be about building the infrastructure, skills and processes to drive the objectives. The production facilities will launch from Q1 2023.

Benefits: Excellent Benefits package available from day one including:

Exceptional working environment
Complimentary fresh estate grown meal provided each day
Garden Membership plus complimentary guest passes and access to our partner gardens

30% online shop discount and free delivery
30% discount in the shops across the estate
30% discount at restaurants across the estate
30% discount on Newt cyder and Babylonstoren wine
50% discount in the Spa
Access to free weekly fitness classes, including yoga
Discounted hotel stays
Family Estate Events
Access to internal/external training qualifications and programmes
Experience and Cross Training opportunities

Duties and Responsibilities

To deliver operational strategy that is efficient, resilient to disruptive events and handles risks through mitigation planning
Given the Newt is transparent about its operations with Guests, coordinate and support the team to run artisan food days to show case our products in a live production environment. Truly understand the importance of delivery the best quality products.
Ownership of the whole operational plan from goods into goods out. Driving a production plan to service Retail, Ecommerce, and hospitality business
To develop and adapt robust operational procedures through processes, people and cost management
Health and safety compliance to the highest standards
Working with the Head of Technical support with the development of a new technical infrastructure to ensure quality is to the highest standards and ensures all risks are mitigated
To create demand plans with the logistic teams and to ensure service level KPI are met
Budget compliance – to oversee cost management of the operation and to achieve cost efficiencies
To adopt and develop management dash boards to track progress across KPI
To recruit and build the relevant skills within the operation which would include engineers, hygiene staff, operating staff, etc.
Motivate and harness the skills of the team to drive a team which is highly motivated, in–depth knowledge of their product area and deliver products with passion and to the highest standards
Internal and external development, relationships & performance management, contract management
Supporting the Head of NPD to develop new products for the future and harness the skills of the teams developing the products to the highest quality output.

Qualifications and Experience

Qualification in business administration, supply chain management, production, operations, project management
5+ years of proven track record experience in Operations in chilled food chain management
Experience of successful leadership in running diverse teams with high degree of delegation and autonomy – driver of KPI and measurement
Experience in Technical food environment with a focus on integrating HACCP flows and CCP
High numerical literacy, data–driven approach in decision–making via effective measurement and assessment of operational performance, focusing on cost efficiencies
Agile and adaptive – ability to work in a fast–paced environment with a tenacity to drive solutions
Proactive with great interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and coordinate with team members and stakeholders at all levels

Optional experience as a bonus factor:

Experience working in high–volume transactional B2C environments, either Ecommerce or/and bricks & mortar retail
Experience in new site set ups in the food industry
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