Engineering Leader - Distribution Centre

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.

Job Title: Engineering Leader - Distribution Centre

Location: Port Sunlight Factory (Site based)

Work-Level: 1S

JOB PURPOSE

The Engineering Leader is responsible for providing the required engineering service to the operation of the Distribution Centre, ensuring optimal sustained performance levels by developing, maintaining and continually improving the equipment maintenance systems and procedures. 

The Engineering Leader will lead their team to apply the appropriate Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) and other continuous improvement tools and methodologies to achieve results.

In order to be successful, they will spend the maximum time with their team, in the workplace – coaching on a one-to-and mentoring, They will make sure that improvements will be maintained by revision/training/changes in the manufacturing procedures/practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Engineering Leader will be the Distribution Centre Technical Lead and be the Professional Maintenance (PM) UMS Pillar Leader. They will be responsible for the Repairs and Maintenance (R&M) Labour costs & Capex Budget control. The Engineering Manager will also be responsible for line managing the DC engineering team.

SAFETY

With full working knowledge of the workplace and hazards within it the Engineering Leader will:

• Foster and promote a strong positive safety culture within the direct and indirect teams
• Co-own and create audit & training frameworks
• Identify and close any identified gaps on risk ensuring appropriate assessments and document control
• Technical lead on safety investigations, taking immediate and appropriate actions to rectify safety issues
• Assist in any defined emergency management requirements on site as required
• Ensure contractor management processes are followed.

QUALITY

• Ensure compliance of Unilever quality policies and standards by co-defining and governing procedures and documentation to guarantee product quality
• Coaching and develop team members to meet and adhere to quality requirements
• Be the technical lead on quality investigations, taking immediate and appropriate actions to rectify quality issues.

CUSTOMER SERVICES

• Continually review performance against targets, taking appropriate corrective action as required to maintain high customer service and avoid missed deliveries and demurrage
• Anticipate and react quickly to issues to avoid any impact to customer service.
• Identify losses and drive the loss reduction strategy, closing the gap by prioritising tasks & resources
• Co-ordinate with the shift engineers and other colleagues to safely optimise the DC operation.

COST

• Regularly review and lead improvements to reduce top losses and areas of non-value-added activity in order to reduce Cost, Waste and Energy
• Lead the R&M & Capex proposal submissions for the DC
• KPIs include adherence to the R&M, and engineering over time budgets.

RUN TO STANDARD

Champion the Run to Standard (RTS) methodology for the DC. This will include:

• Creating and regularly reviewing the RTS Master plan for the DC
• Owning and delivering the PM pillar standards, and preventative vs reactive maintenance workstreams through the engineering and operations teams
• Ensuing framework, processes and documentation are optimised
• Coaching others in the tasks, tools and theory behind RTS.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Downtime & challenges within the DC have the potential to stop Port Sunlight’s factories and customer deliveries. Therefore the Engineering Manager will need to have:

• A proactive response to problem solving and decisive decision making is essential to avoid losses and ensure general smooth running within the distribution centre
•  An in-depth knowledge of the principles & parameters of the machines/systems will be needed to effectively perform these problem-solving tasks
• Capability and confidence in the use of systems including UPS and other problem solving and improvement tools is required along with the ability to train and coach team members in the same.

LEADERSHIP

• Create, maintain and/or update the DC technical training matrix
• Identify macro training gaps across the DC team & develop strategy to close
• Coach & train team members to close individual gaps
• Take ownership self-knowledge to continually develop and share best practice
• Actively seek feedback from others for further development of own skills and behaviour
• Lead & prioritise improvement opportunities, including through capex proposals where applicable
• Drive best practices in safety & quality assurance by implementing efficient processes and collaborating with colleagues
• Utilise project management tools & techniques to ensure the efficient use of resources
• Effective communication and collaboration are imperative and may include some interaction out of hours 
• leading by example whilst keeping focused on goals and targets. Great teams and great leaders will achieve superior performance.

ALL ABOUT YOU

Essential

• Time served Apprentice/ NVQ level 3 in Engineering
• A passion for automated systems & learning new things.
• Understanding of 5S, lean manufacturing, continuous improvement plans
• A high standard of written and verbal communication
• Previous People Management and Leadership experience.

DESIRABLE

• Multi skilled in two or more disciplines (mechanical, electrical and software)
• FMCG Knowledge and Experience
• A good understanding of end-to-end supply chain and departmental interdependencies is essential.

The ideal candidate for this role displays the 4 Unilever behaviours in their work, for example:

Focus on what counts: Prioritise tasks that directly impacts the safety & efficiency of the distribution process. Take personal accountability for DC successes & pitfalls. Inspire others by consistently focusing on what matters most.

Deliver with excellence: Strive for high standards in every aspect of your work. Demonstrate responsibility by owning the quality of DC performance and going above and beyond when the opportunity arises to exceed expectations, such as optimising workflows to improve efficiency.

Stay 3 steps ahead: Anticipate potential issues before they arise, such as peak times for shipments or maintenance needs for automated equipment and organise the team. Be proactive in implementing improvements. Efficiently resolve challenges by staying vigilant and prepared for any disruptions, ensuring minimal downtime and smooth operations.

Care deeply: Show genuine concern for the well-being of colleagues and the satisfaction of customers. This includes maintaining a safe working environment, supporting team members and driving their performance, developing yourself and others, and ensuring that customer orders are handled with care. Maintain high standards in safety and lead by example by consistently showing care and commitment, such as conducting regular safety checks and providing training on new equipment.

By integrating these qualities, you not only embody the desired behaviours but also contribute to a more efficient, responsible, and supportive work environment in the Distribution Centre.

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’.

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We want to push boundaries, and have the flexibility needed to keep adapting in an ever-changing, more dynamic world. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

As part of your hiring journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments, to improve your recruitment experience.

To find out more, including more information about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here.

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