Asahi UK (AUK), part of Asahi Europe & International Ltd, aims to enrich consumer experiences through innovation, high-quality service and an exceptional portfolio of premium beer, ale and cider brands including, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Asahi Super Dry, Meantime, Fuller’s London Pride and Cornish Orchards. Our aim is to be the leading super premium beer business in the UK, through a brand mix that creates a compelling proposition. At AUK we operate as an end to end business unit responsible for sales, marketing, customer operations, production, supply chain and wholesale operations in the UK & Ireland. For further information, visit www.asahibeer.co.uk

Asahi Europe & International is a subsidiary of Asahi Group Holdings Ltd, a global beverage and food company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan. Employing > 12,000 people, Asahi Europe & International is the custodian for leading super premium lager brands Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch, Asahi Super Dry, plus international Czech lager brands, Pilsner Urquell and Kozel. The business has world-class brewing and production facilities in 8 markets – UK, NL, ITL, PL, CZ, SK, HU, RO. In most of these markets, we are the leading brewer with full portfolio of famous brands. Commercial operations in other parts of Europe, USA, Canada, LatAm, Africa and Asia are served through our global distribution network. With state-of-the-art facilities, some of the best brewers in the world, quality ingredients, and a culture based on innovation and collaboration, Asahi offers the best quality of beer to beer lovers worldwide. More information can be found at www.asahiinternational.com

We are currently recruiting for an exciting Packaging Manager opportunity at our Meantime Brewery in Greenwich.

The Packaging Manager will be accountable for the Packaging and Warehouse functions within Meantime. They will continually drive and improve the operation and procedure of the packaging lines with the focus on engineering improvements, quality improvements and team performance improvement.  As Packaging Manager you will manage the team to deliver the company and departmental KPI’s. You will operate the packaging lines in accordance with Food safety procedures, Quality specifications, Production Strategy and Health and Safety Policy.

Key accountabilities

The Packaging Manager is responsible for the following key outputs and accountabilities

Health and Safety

• Lead by example, adhering to all Health and Safety policies and procedures to a drive safety culture in the work place.
• Challenge unsafe practices identify and report hazards and near misses. Encourage the team to do the same.
• Work with relevant departments to close off reported hazards in a timely manner.
• Ensure all Risk Assessment’s and Standard Operating procedures are current, have been reviewed and are adhered with.

People

• Engage & ensure that the team understand the strategy, their part in its achievement and the rigor of maintaining & improving the individual quality of our packaged product.
• Coach lead & manage the Packaging team to create a fully flexible, committed, and curious team.
• Set, monitor, and document the personal goals for the Packaging team members.
• Ensure excellent team communication is maintained and empower the team in the creation and delivery of routines and process improvements and to challenge the “status quo”
• Identify & Implement timely responses & remedies to overcome performance issues to ensure delivery of the Production targets and KPI’s.
• Overall responsibility for motivating, assessing training requirements and dealing with employee relations issues within the team.
• Build strong internal and external customer and trade relationships with key personnel, influencers, and stakeholders

Cost Control

• Effectively manage & control all beer and material stock items, to ensure the delivery of the variable and semi variable production cost budget, Utility KPI’s and productivity yields.
• Scope and manage CAPEX projects for on time delivery and to budget.
• Drive utility cost reductions, product yield improvements and value engineering projects through the deployment of Continuous Improvement processes & activities within the team.

Brand & Portfolio

• Manage and optimise all elements of the packaging operation.
• Support & work with marketing and the brewing team in the delivery of packaged NPD & seasonal / limited batch brews.
• Adopt and own the Asahi way for Packaging. Engage and ensure successful transfer of knowledge and ‘know-how’ into the teams
• Establish industry links and be the lead for knowledge on Craft beer packaging.

Experience required

• Ideally experienced in an FMCG discipline with clear demonstrable experience of Packaging operations & process improvement.
• Disciplined approach to work including the ability to work under pressure to manage conflicting priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Good planning and organisational skills, demonstrating strong analytical and problem-solving mindset, with an ability to operate independently and deliver attention to detail.
• Demonstrable knowledge with regard to working within defined quality systems, external customer standards and external audit requirements.

Key attributes of the successful candidate 

• Self-motivated, energetic self-starter with an outgoing, engaging positive “can do” attitude.
• Bold and curious in nature, and able to demonstrate credibility & persuasiveness in leading change in an industry that is ‘traditional’ and generally resistant to change.
• Confident communicator with an outgoing personality.

On offer is a competitive basic salary plus generous benefits package inclusive of,

• Annual bonus
• Beer allowance per annum
• Discounted onsite food offerings
• Industry leading pension contribution
• 25 days’ holiday

Please no agencies.

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