Senior Operations Manager, Butter & Warehouse - Westbury Dairies UK (Westbury, GB)

## Shape Your Career in Dairy Operations with Arla Foods

Are you a seasoned operational leader seeking a role where you can significantly impact a global brand and drive transformative change? This opportunity at Arla Foods in Westbury offers a compelling path for ambitious professionals looking to elevate their careers within a leading dairy cooperative.

As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, you will be at the forefront of managing and optimizing Butter Operations and the Site Warehouse. This role is designed for individuals who thrive on developing and executing strategic business plans, contributing to overarching site goals, and fostering a culture of excellence.

Key Advantages for Your Career Growth:

• Strategic Leadership: Take ownership of a vital operational area, reporting directly to the Site Director. You'll be instrumental in shaping the future of butter production and warehousing.
• Global Collaboration: Immerse yourself in a global network, working closely with peers across the UK and internationally to benchmark performance, share best practices, and drive innovation. This is an invaluable opportunity to broaden your international experience and understanding of diverse operational approaches.
• Transformation Champion: This role provides a platform to champion significant improvements in safety and quality standards. You'll be empowered to implement continuous improvement (CI) tools and best practices, cultivating a "zero-loss" mindset that drives efficiency and excellence.
• Long-Term Vision: Develop and execute a 5-year operations strategy, directly influencing budget planning and leading capital expenditure (CAPEX) proposals with a clear focus on return on investment (ROI). This offers significant strategic input and decision-making power.
• Leadership Development: With approximately 120 direct and indirect reports, you'll hone your people leadership skills, fostering talent development and building high-performing teams.

Key Considerations for Aspiring Candidates:

• Experience Level: This is a senior management position requiring a proven track record in fast-paced manufacturing environments. Candidates should possess deep experience in operational leadership.
• Continuous Improvement Expertise: A strong understanding of continuous improvement methodologies, lean manufacturing principles, and culture change is essential. Experience with frameworks like Total Performance Management, IL6S, or IWS is highly desirable, demonstrating a commitment to systematic improvement.
• Strategic Thinking: The ability to think strategically and develop long-term operational plans is crucial. You'll need to demonstrate a capacity for forward-thinking and proactive problem-solving.
• Education & Digital Acumen: A degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience is required. While not essential, previous experience implementing digital tools in an operational setting would be a significant advantage, signaling adaptability to evolving technological landscapes.
• Impactful Contribution: This role demands a proactive and results-oriented individual who is eager to make a tangible impact on operational efficiency, safety, and quality.

Arla Foods is more than just a dairy company; it's a global cooperative dedicated to making good food choices accessible and sustainable. If you're looking for an environment that values your growth, empowers your contributions, and thrives on collaboration, this is an opportunity you can feel truly good about. Shape the future of dairy with us!