Job title: Operations Manager
Reporting to: Managing Director
Purpose of Job
Responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a chilled foods supply chain, with a retail value of
between £50m and £60m. Management of a network of producers and distributors, ensuring timely product
launches, maximising product availability and value engineering to reach maximum cost effectiveness. The role is
supported by two regional operations manager in overseas markets.
Region
The position will be based in: Cheddar (‘Head Office’)
The position will involve activity mainly in the UK.
Other travel required: Other markets from time to time
Key Responsibilities
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Manage the flow of communication throughout the entire supply chain, ensuring product launches,
promotions and all other activities hit plan every time.
Have a broad knowledge of all specialist suppliers to the industry and keep abreast of any new product
developments.
Prepare “Key Supplier” contracts to ensure all deliverables are adequately covered and that all “Key
Suppliers” have appropriate supply contracts
To work with suppliers & distributors to deliver best cost distribution
Manage supplier relationships to maintain the strong reputation of FSC
To liaise closely with the procurement and packaging teams to ensure that production runs smoothly
and production targets are met.
Ensuring that sandwich producers are receiving a good standard of service from raw material suppliers
and the FSC clients are never left our of stock due to poor raw material availability.
Run all “Key Supplier” tenders
Ensure that suppliers meet the service and quality standards of FSC and their clients
Manage suppliers on a ‘continual improvement’ basis
To liaise with internal and external customers on day to day operational issues.
To work with “Key Suppliers” on all issues surrounding day to day operational issues from working with
product costings, ensuring on-time and in-full deliveries, ensuring availability of equipment and
disposables, to negotiation and dispute resolution.
To manage and support regional operations managers
“Key suppliers” currently includes 2 UK sandwich manufacturers, 3 UK distributors, 1 Irish sandwich
manufacturer & distributor, 1 Czech sandwich manufacturer & distributor, 1 Polish sandwich manufacturer &
distributor, 1 Hungarian distributor, 1 Bulgarian distributor, 1 Bulgarian manufacturer, 1 Jersey based
manufacturer and distributor, 2 Canadian sandwich manufacturers and distributors.
Please note the quantity of input required in each market varies considerably and this supplier portfolio is subject
to regular changes.
OB DESCRIPTION! ! ! ! ! Operations Manager
Measures of Success
Successful national roll out of clients brands within the agreed timeframes
On-time and in-full deliveries to all customers
Meeting distribution cost targets
Meeting clients service and quality demands
Measurable improvement of cost, service standards and quality standards from supplier base
Accurate and timely communication to internal and external customers
Promotions & product launches run on time
Key supplier contracts in place and contractual obligations met
Delivery of tender process objectives
Management and development of two direct reports
Skills and experience required
Minimum 10 years experience within the food industry (retail, manufacturing, distribution or foodservice) in a
company that has a proven track record for delivering quality.
Experience within either FMCG or the fast food industry an advantage.
Experience in logistics related tasks an advantage
Experience in manufacturing of chilled high risk foods an advantage
Problem solving.
Time management and excellent organizational skills.
Ability to work on own and with tight targets.
Excellent communication skills
Excellent English skills
Competent in all windows / office based software
Good understanding of general trading and basic import / export issues an advantage
Food industry related experience in ‘the region’ and other markets is a distinct advantage
Flexibility:
Must be prepared for UK ad overseas travel. Perform any other duties and objectives as required form time to
time in order to contribute effectively to the achievement of the business aims and objectives. As a dynamic SME
with a broad range of services, there will be a need to contribute to many different areas of the business from
time to time.
Company background
Established in 1989, FSC provides tailor-made, fully integrated solutions and fast food concepts for retail chains .
With a focus on chilled short-life convenience products, FSC has a portfolio of blue chip and international clients
in the UK, North America and Scandinavia.