Group Best Practice & Standards Lead

Job Title: Group Best Practice & Standards Manager

Job Description: Lead role across UK sites (Midlands & N Wales) to identify best practice internally, benchmark with leading principles and practices externally, and then create Group-wide operational & business process standards, assisting Site Leaders in their implementation. Monitoring and reporting progress on implementation and adherence to the board of directors.

Overview:

The Group Best Practice & Standards Manager will play a pivotal role in driving operational and business process excellence across multiple manufacturing sites within the Group. This position is responsible for identifying, developing and implementing best practice, ensuring consistency and efficiency across all locations in all aspects of Goodfish. The role also involves internal auditing & monitoring of adherence to newly established standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Best Practice Identification and Development:
  
  
  
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    Collaborate with site managers, operational teams and stakeholders to identify existing best practices across manufacturing sites.
  
  
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    Analyse processes, workflows and performance metrics to determine areas for improvement and standardisation.
  
  
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    Benchmark internal practices against industry standards to ensure competitiveness.
  
  
  
  

• Standardisation and Implementation:

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    Develop a framework for implementing best practices across all sites in the Group.
  
  
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    Create detailed documentation, guidelines, and training materials to support standardisation efforts.
  
  
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    Work with site teams to ensure smooth adoption of new processes and practices.
  
  
  
  

• Monitoring and Measurement:

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    Establish KPIs and metrics to measure adherence to newly implemented standards.
  
  
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    Conduct regular audits and site visits to assess compliance with best practices.
  
  
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    Generate reports on performance, highlighting successes, areas for improvement and any deviations from standards.
  
  
  
  

• Continuous Improvement:

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    Facilitate workshops or forums for cross-site collaboration to share learnings and innovations.
  
  
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    Encourage feedback from site teams to refine processes further.
  
  
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    Stay updated on industry trends, technologies, and methodologies that could enhance Group operations.
  
  
  
  

• Stakeholder Engagement:

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    Act as a central point of contact for best practice initiatives across the Group.
  
  
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    Build strong relationships with site leadership teams to ensure alignment with Group objectives.
  
  
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    Present findings, progress updates, and recommendations to senior management regularly.
  
  
  
  

Qualifications:

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  Proven experience in manufacturing operations, process improvement or a similar role within a multi-site organisation


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  Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma or DMAIC methodologies or other continuous improvement frameworks (certifications preferred)


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  Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable strategies


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  Exceptional communication skills for engaging with diverse teams across multiple locations


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  Proficiency in project management tools and techniques to oversee implementation initiatives effectively

Personal Attributes:

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  An eye for and a passion for detail


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  Willingness to get stuck in to find out what’s really happening, rather than just accepting what is being recounted as happening


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  Results-driven mindset with a passion for operational excellence


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  approach with the ability to influence without direct authority


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  Strong strategic thinking capabilities


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  Willingness to travel frequently between manufacturing sites as required

Reporting Line:

The Group Best Practice and Standards Manager will report directly to the Chief Executive. He will liaise with Site Leaders and guide them to implement best practice and follow defined Group standards. Monitoring and reporting on progress to Chief Executive.

Reporting Format & Deliverables:

The Group Best Practice & Standards Manager will create an online resource, in the form of an Apple Pages “Book - Portrait”, to be known as “Goodfish; a User’s Guide”. Training will be given on how to do this.

Chapters covering a wide range of subjects will set out best practice and guidance, starting with:

1. Health & Safety (including FIRE and auditing standards)


2. Quality Control & Assurance (and auditing standards)


3. Environmental Safeguards & Targets (plus auditing standards)


4. Shift Leadership & reporting


5. Sickness & absence management & reporting


6. Maintenance management & reporting


7. HR & Welfare management & reporting


8. Facilities management & reporting


9. IT security, training & compliance monitoring (+ auditing)


10. Technical standards & compliance monitoring (+ auditing)


11. Onboarding & compliance management


12. Production monitoring standards, reporting & compliance guidelines


13. Communication standards (digital & visual) - internal and external


14. Training (systems, equipment & procedures)


15. Purchasing


16. Production trials


17. Production planning


18. Coffee machine maintenance scheduling


19. Company car usage & private car mileage

Location:

This is a full-time role requiring travel between manufacturing sites within the Group's geographic footprint (currently St Asaph, Flint, Cannock & Worcester).

The first eight weeks from start date will be spent working on the shop floor of each site, plus shadowing Site Leaders at each site, making it two weeks at each site to establish the reality of the baseline.

Remuneration:

£65-£75k plus car or car allowance

Pension, life assurance (death in service)