Operations Support Manager

Join Keelings! You will be part of a passionate team of people and a growing business. Come on the journey with us where you will grow and develop and truly feel a sense of belonging. At Keelings, we don't just grow quality fresh produce, we also nurture people and their professional development. The Keelings family always employ the best people for the job, the key to our success is the quality of the people we employ.

The Distribution Centre processes and delivers over 60 million cases of fresh and frozen food to more than 170 stores in the ROI for a leading global retailer. It is a 24/7 unionised operation employing more than 300 Keeling's colleagues along with almost 400 colleagues employed by a number of third party contractors that serve the DC. This role is positioned on the Site Leadership team.

Our Strategic Priorities

Better Food - We make our products better and inspire more people to enjoy produce.

People - We support our people to learn, be at their best, contribute and deliver on their commitments, using One Keelings' standards.

Better Ways - Every year we improve our competitiveness, efficiency and delivery through insight, technology and One Keelings.

Better World - We improve our environmental and social impact to make a positive difference in our world.

Partnerships - Working with Keelings creates value and long-term relationships with our customers & suppliers.

Growth - We invest in and deliver insight led, focused, profitable growth into the future.

Keelings Values

• People Matter - We support and treat each other in a clear, fair and respectful way. We all learn, develop and encourage everyone to contribute.
• Teamwork - We inspire and help each other to deliver our ambitions together as One Keelings.
• Integrity - We do the right thing and deliver on our commitments.
• Passion for Achievement - We motivate ourselves and each other to achieve our ambitions with energy, knowledge and courage. We are always striving to be better.

Key Responsibilities:

· This exciting role manages six functions within the Distribution centre - Finance, Planning, Systems, Project Management, Compliance and Administration.

· The Operations Support manager plays a crucial role in the daily operation of the business by being a cross functional lead regarding problem solving, project management and data interrogation.

· The successful candidate will work closely with the other members of the DC Leadership Team in order to contribute to the company’s objective of delivering a productive, cost-effective, quality service to the customer.

· The Operations Support Manager is required to support and drive a program of continuous improvement on the site and to manage the relationship with all third-party service providers.

· Manage the functionality and effectiveness of the Planning Department (Transport and Warehouse) ensuring that it continues to support and add value to the DC operational teams.

· Manage the functionality and effectiveness of the Warehouse Systems and Admin Department (operating on a 24/7 basis) ensuring that it continues to support and add value to the DC operational teams.

· Work with the Finance Manager to ensure adequate financial controls in place and review financial reporting to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

· Pro-actively manage and drive the focus on reducing stock-loss within the DC.

· Manage the integrity of DC stock, to ensure that the DC stock profile is well managed at all times for the customer.

· Manage the IT systems on site.

· Manage the adherence to compliance standards on site currently subjected to 2 SALA audits per year.

· Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, securing buy-in and support for key initiatives, managing expectations effectively, and ensuring alignment across all parties to achieve successful outcomes.

· Pro-actively contribute to the overall operation of the DC as a member of the DC Leadership Team (DCLT).

· Drive the transformation of workforce planning and governance capabilities, forecasting accuracy, workforce agility and process optimization, including technology enablement and advanced analytics.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

· Customer: To support the operation of the business to meet agreed targets for the customer.

· People: To ensure that all people routines are undertaken and completed to ensure that all people KPIs are consistently achieved.

· Operations: To produce and monitor the DC capability plan and to provide warehouse systems and admin support to the operation.

· Financial: To work closely with the operations manager and finance manager on continuous improvements initiatives so cost-effective operations are assured.

Key Skills & Knowledge

Essential:

· 5 years’ experience in similar role, with significant experience in change management

· Strong leadership ability with a focus for team working

· Strong people management with good interpersonal skills

· Experience in Operational and Financial systems - ACA / ACCA Qualified

· Strong analytical skills both qualitative and quantitative

· Strong presentation skills, written and oral

· Articulate with strong business acumen

· Resilient individual with passion for continuous improvement

· Solution focused

· Strategic thinker not afraid to challenge the status quo.

Core Competencies

· Team player

· A positive attitude

· Eager to learn and develop both personally and professionally

· Flexible and adaptable

· Proactive and efficient

· Excellent IT Skills - PowerPoint, word, excel.

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

· Confidentiality/discretion to the highest standard

· Planning and organisational skills

· The ability to work on their own initiative