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Production Optimiser at Danish Crown in Rochdale is tasked with driving sustained efficiency gains through better yields, reduced waste, and lean output while analyzing production data, identifying bottlenecks, and leading cross-functional improvement projects across Production, Finance, QA, Engineering and Hygiene. Success will show up as improved yields, throughput, lower downtime and waste, with a focus on right-first-time slicing processes and costed yield standards, plus strong RCA and reporting to senior management. The role requires food manufacturing experience, sharp analytical skills, proficiency in Excel, and strong communication and teamwork. To apply, tailor your CV with concrete metrics, highlight cross-functional leadership, HACCP familiarity, and be ready to discuss automation ideas.

Production Optimiser | Rochdale

The Production Optimiser is responsible for delivering sustained improvements in efficiency, through improving yields, reducing waste, and maximizing lean output across production lines. The role analyses production data, identifies bottlenecks, and implements sustained improvements through clear processes and procedures, training & coaching. The success of this role will be clearly evident through improved production metrics, with particular focus on yields and giveaway.

A key aspect of this role will be the collaboration and support from the wider management team to support its success.

What you will be doing

• Analyse production data and workflows to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Create priority list and develop plans to tackle the top losses first, re-evaluating as you go.
• Drive sustained improvements on key performance indicators (KPI) such as yields, throughput, downtime, and waste.
• Develop and implement optimisation strategies with particular focus on right first time slicing processes to meet costed yield standards.
• Collaborate with Production colleagues, Finance, Quality Assurance, Engineering, OEM specialists & Hygiene to ensure shared ownership in improvement works under your leadership.
• Create simplified and succinct summaries of complex technical issues for senior management team to best support you in driving improvements.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, Hygiene standards).
• Conduct Root Cause Analysis for production issues and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare reports and present findings to management.
• Assist in introducing new technologies or automation systems.

What you will bring

• Experience in food manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with food safety standards and regulations.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g. Excel)
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Attention to detail and ability to work well under pressure.

Why join us

Joining Danish Crown in this role offers you exceptional autonomy to manage defined spend areas independently and directly influence our commercial outcomes. Reporting to the Head of Procurement Operations and Sustainability, you will operate within a supportive, forward-thinking team where your market insights and sourcing strategies will drive tangible business improvements.

We offer a structured schedule with an early finish every Friday, working within an environment that values professional development, career growth and collaboration. You will have the opportunity to stretch your capabilities, shape supplier relationships across multiple UK sites and contribute to our ongoing sustainability and commercial goals.

About us

Danish Crown UK is a business built on trust, teamwork and ambition. We exist to deliver food that people believe in, and we know that takes strong leadership and collaborative cultures.

Our leadership principles guide us. We act for the good of the whole organisation. We hire brilliant people and help them grow. We are ambitious, curious and open to new ideas. We build trust by accepting mistakes as part of development. We believe real leadership is earned through example, not title.

Whoever joins us will help create a workplace where people feel safe to speak up, share ideas, challenge old ways of working and stretch themselves to achieve more. If that sounds like the environment where you thrive, we would love to hear from you.