Lead Operator - Days (Packing & Stores)

Role Overview

Yeo Valley Organic is seeking a motivated Lead Operator to join their Dairy department's Packing & Stores team in Crewkerne. This position operates on a 4 days on, 4 days off schedule during day shifts, specifically from 6:00am to 6:00pm. The Lead Operator will oversee the daily functioning of the Packing & Stores area, ensuring safety, efficiency, and adherence to high-quality production standards. Leading by example, this role involves guiding the team, coordinating daily tasks, and collaborating with colleagues to meet performance goals and drive ongoing improvements.

Key Duties

• Inspire and energize the team with a consistently positive and proactive attitude, encouraging prompt action among peers.
• Commit to Health & Safety by practicing safe working methods, exemplifying safety behaviors, addressing unsafe actions or conditions, and escalating issues when necessary.
• Maintain and enforce good manufacturing practices, hygiene standards, appropriate PPE use, and proper dress codes.
• Promote and model a 'Clean as You Go' culture, overseeing workplace organization and implementing visual management with the team.
• Participate actively in optimizing changeovers, identifying opportunities for improvement, and coordinating resources to enhance equipment utilization.
• Share performance data transparently to ensure the team understands how their roles impact shift, site, and overall business success.
• Perform basic troubleshooting on machinery, supporting root cause analysis and escalating to broader support when needed.
• Ensure correct upkeep of equipment through thorough validation of cleaning tasks and compliance with schedules.
• Collect, propose, initiate, and implement improvement initiatives within and beyond the immediate team across all shifts.
• Collaborate with other team members during handovers to identify challenges and opportunities, determining where investigations may yield benefits.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Strong team collaboration skills.
• Capability to perform manual tasks as required.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Effective communication abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic food hygiene certification.
• Familiarity with HACCP principles.
• Previous experience as a machine operator in a production environment.

About Yeo Valley Organic

Yeo Valley Organic is an independent British company renowned for producing premium yogurts, desserts, and ice creams marketed under the Yeo Valley brand and various leading UK retailers. Operating from four dairies and two logistics centers in Somerset and Devon, the company employs over 1,700 individuals and produces more than a quarter of the UK's packaged yogurt.

Employee Benefits

• Attractive holiday entitlement.
• Non-contributory pension scheme.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Healthcare cashback plan.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discounts on Yeo Valley products and services.
• Special rates with partner organizations.
• Opportunities for learning, development, and career growth.

Additional Information

Applicants are encouraged to apply promptly as the closing date is an estimate and vacancies may be filled earlier. The company currently does not offer employment sponsorship. Yeo Valley does not accept unsolicited agency applications; applications will only be considered if submitted through their official recruitment portal by preferred suppliers.