Operations Lead

Operations Lead

Location: Portland, Dorset
Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with flexibility to work evenings, weekends and nights as required
Reporting to: Site Manager

The Company

Bunge is a leading global agribusiness connecting producers and consumers through sustainable, traceable and quality-controlled supply chains. The UK operation is based in Thame and operates within the UK grains and feeds markets.

Portland Facility

The Portland operation comprises two warehouse sites with a combined capacity of approximately 219,000 square feet, including a modern portside facility. The site handles the discharge, storage and loading of grain and other commodities using its own stevedoring equipment, including a 380-metric-tonne hybrid crane.

Summary of the Role

The Operations Lead will support the Site Manager in the safe, compliant and efficient day-to-day running of the Portland site, providing operational coordination and leadership support across labour planning, compliance, reporting, vessel activity and site communication. This is a hands-on role requiring strong operational awareness, sound judgement and the ability to support people, plant and processes in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Site Manager and work in collaboration with the Maintenance Coordinator and Site Administrator on the day-to-day coordination of site activity.
• Help coordinate labour, rotas, workflow planning, site readiness and vessel costing.
• Management of site open and close routines and completion of relevant documentation.
• Ensure handover of site operations when absent.
• Promote and enforce health, safety, environmental and site compliance standards.
• Work closely with group Health and Safety, Maintenance Coordinator and third party technical/mechanical support to maintain safe and efficient operations.
• Coordinate plant availability, support maintenance planning and operational continuity.
• Ensure records, reports, stock figures, vessel paperwork and other site documentation are completed accurately and on time.
• Communicate effectively with site personnel, head office, contractors, port contacts and other stakeholders.

• Assist with inductions, toolbox talks, training compliance and staff development.
• Help resolve operational issues, customer concerns and day-to-day site challenges in a proactive and professional manner, taking in to account financial implications.
• Review processes and contribute to continuous improvement across the site.
• Provide hands-on operational support where required during daily activities and vessel discharges.
• Act as a key operational point of contact on site in the absence of the Site Manager, supporting communication and coordination with relevant internal and external parties.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience of grain handling machinery for example bobcat, 360 digger, loading shovel, telehandler and crane
• Previous experience in industrial, agricultural, logistics or port handling facilities.
• Knowledge of health and safety standards in an industrial environment
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Good problem-solving ability and attention to detail.
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop peers and subordinates
• Commercial awareness and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel.
• Full UK driving licence.

Personal Attributes

• Calm, fair, honest and approachable.
• Proactive, practical and adaptable
• Positive and supportive
• Resilient and mature in attitude

Benefits

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.
• Salary commensurate with experience and responsibilities.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Generous pension contribution.
• Life insurance, income protection and private healthcare, subject to qualifying period.
• Occupational health program
• Long-term career opportunity with Bunge UK Limited

At Bunge (NYSE: BG), our purpose is to connect farmers to consumers to deliver essential food, feed and fuel to the world. As a premier agribusiness solutions provider, our team of ~37,000 dedicated employees partner with farmers across the globe to move agricultural commodities from where they’re grown to where they’re needed—in faster, smarter, and more efficient ways. We are a world leader in grain origination, storage, distribution, oilseed processing and refining, offering a broad portfolio of plant-based oils, fats, and proteins. We work alongside our customers at both ends of the value chain to deliver quality products and develop tailored, innovative solutions that address evolving consumer needs. With 200+ years of experience and presence in over 50 countries, we are committed to strengthening global food security, advancing sustainability, and helping communities prosper where we operate. Bunge has its registered office in Geneva, Switzerland and its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. Learn more at Bunge.com.

Every day our people exemplify these values, which represent Bunge at its core:

•    We Are One Team – Collaborative, Respectful, Inclusive
•    We Lead The Way – Agile, Empowered, Innovative
•    We Do What’s Right – Safety, Sustainability, With Integrity

If this sounds like you, join us!  We value and invest in people who believe in our purpose and are excited to live it every day – people who are #ProudtoBeBunge