Job Introduction

Thanks for checking out our vacancy, we’re delighted you want to learn more about Dechra.

Dechra are a growing, global specialist within the world of veterinary pharmaceuticals. Our expertise is in the development, manufacture, marketing and sales of high quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide.

Here at Dechra, our values are embedded within our culture and thrive within our family of almost 2000 colleagues globally. From manufacturing to marketing, (D)edication, (E)njoyment, (C)ourage, (H)onesty, (R)elationships and (A)mbition are at the heart of our everyday operations and the way we do business.

The Opportunity 

This role is combining essential Operational Excellence and Project Management Office responsibilities to support the delivery of the Skipton site’s strategic plans and is responsible for driving change through implementation of the Dechra Production System (DPS) standards and coaching local management and team members to achieve incremental and step changes in the performance of the site in terms of Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost competitiveness while engaging and empowering the site employees.

Role Responsibility

So, what will you be doing? This role has a broad and varied remit and the successful candidate will have responsibility for duties including:

• The application of DPS to develop the capability of all the Site personnel to implement routine (day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year) continuous improvement activities
• To ensure the routine day to day activities result in a continuous improvement in the Site Performance towards the goals of Zero Harm, Zero Defects, Zero Waste & Zero Unplanned Breakdowns
• To lead the ‘self-assessment’ of the Skipton site against the DPS maturity matrices and to lead to site to close any gaps
• To coach / train the Site teams in the successful application of the DPS.
• Supporting the Site Director and Leadership team to define the site strategy, goals, developing the implementation plans and embedding / facilitating a robust governance program, providing challenge, holding people accountable to ensure the site delivers on its commitments and KPI targets
• Work with Site Director and SLT to identify and agree the DPS implementation in alignment with the Skipton Site Strategic Plan
• Lead day to day deployment of the DPS as well as all related improvement activities at site level delivering business performance improvement on People, Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost metrics
• Track progress of the site DPS deployment road-map and self-assess the site DPS maturity level. Agree with the SLT, DPMS OPEX Lead and Group functional leads targets for improvement
• Deploy the training and capability building plan as agreed by the SLT & DPMS OPEX Lead
  • Define, deliver and support the required training.
  • Coach Site teams to develop and sustain continuous improvement mindsets
  • Support continuous capability development of self and other DPS change agents based at the site, using standard training modules developed within the DPS
• Guides the development of strategy and gains alignment of key stakeholders.
• Drives continuous improvement programmes, using DPS tools & techniques, encouraging others to be challenging, creative and rigorous in their solutions. Fostering a no-blame culture where mistakes are learnt from and not repeated.
• Manages significant business change. Fully justifies change, champions and coaches others to support and deliver business changes. Coaches others on change management tools
• Defines and embeds KPIs and processes to drive short term and long term improvement through application of DPS, across a balanced scorecard (P,S,Q,D,C) in all functions and value streams
• Ensures a routine, rigorous and robust reporting process is in use which effectively supports the timely resolution of issues and performance monitoring / trending
• Coaches others in the definition and use of KPIs to achieve performance improvement
• Coaches on the appropriate sourcing & use of data to drive effective & efficient decision making
• To be a role model, of Dechra Values and the DPS skills and behaviors, instilling passion and effectively coaching individuals and teams to the highest levels of performance
• Provides active guidance for performance development of individuals and teams, creating sponsors / advocates for the DPS
• Cross functionally nurtures a shared sense of ownership, urgency and accountability amongst others
• Support / ensure consistency of progress across the site, share lessons learnt with the network
• Benchmarking the Site performance against other sites / companies, identifying opportunities to “pinch with pride”, implementing best practices from others
• Embeds appropriate best practice project management methods & tools
• Trains, coaches & supports others in project management system(s), methods and practices, including contingency planning and risk management
• Ensure appropriate & effective project governance is in use to ensure projects & project teams deliver to expectations and progress reporting is timely , efficient & effective
• Tracking & managing project benefits, reporting on financial information such as return investment
• Ensure that the programs and portfolios are aligned to operational and strategic objectives and prioritised accordingly
• Support the DPMS OPEX Lead with the design and updates of the DPS content i.e. Standards, handbook, assessment and templates etc
• Prepare and lead the DPS Site Council
• Collaborate with DPMS PMO to harmonize processes and reporting

The Ideal Candidate

Here at Dechra we pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer and we embrace candidates from all walks of life. We’re particularly keen to hear from those who have/are:

• Due to the nature of our business, all successful candidates will be required to complete a basic DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service check) before employment can commence, and at regular intervals during employment. This check will be paid for by Dechra’
• Management of OpEx programs within a large organisation that drive commercial value would be beneficial but not desirable
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or a PMP preferred certification would be ideal but not required
• Degree in Science, Engineering or Business Management with experience in implementation of Operational Excellence initiatives
• Strong commercial acumen /analytical capabilities and extracting insights from key operational metrics and data and creating robust action plans
• Attention to detail and proven communications & planning skills
• Ability to influence peers & business areas using verbal or written communication
• Strong stakeholder management at all leadership levels and across functions (e.g. business, commercial and finance)
• Excellent communication skills and stakeholder management skills
• Evidence of driving a continuous improvement culture through a test and learn process including holding workshops to generate ideas and identify solutions.
• Worked in and understanding regulated markets
• Fluency in Excel, PowerPoint, and other PMO  productivity tools
• Highly organized, high energy, able to work at a high pace, a self starter, who thrives under pressure in changing situations with deadlines
• Ability to facilitate sessions with senior leadership

Package Description

• Average 36-hour working week (with a day off every other Friday!!)
• Plenty of training and development opportunities
• 22.5 days annual leave + Bank holidays
• Option to buy a week's holiday each year
• 8% Employer Pension Contribution
• Free access to the Headspace App
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free on-site parking

About the Company

All applications received are reviewed by our internal talent acquisition team and we will get in touch if your skills and experience match what we’re looking for. Should you not hear back from us within 28 days please don’t be too disappointed – we may keep your CV on our database for any future vacancies which may be suitable and we encourage you to keep an eye on our careers site. For any questions or queries, please contact us at recruituk@dechra.com

Dechra is a global specialist in veterinary pharmaceuticals and related products business. Our expertise is in the development, manufacture, marketing and sales of high quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide.

We are a global leader in veterinary endocrinology and topical dermatology, have a broad portfolio of analgesia, anaesthetics and products for the treatment of pain, and are also recognised as innovators in other specialisations such as the treatment of equine lameness, nutrition and differentiated generics. 

We deliver high quality products and services to veterinarians worldwide through our employees and a network of third parties to sustainably improve global animal health and welfare.

Everything we do is underpinned by our Culture and Values. They are important to us and have helped drive the Group’s success. 

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC