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Implement improvement programmes in food and drink operations

URN: IMPQI279
Business Sectors (Suites): Achieving Food Manufacturing Excellence
Developed by: Improve
Approved on: 31 Dec 2021

Overview

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This standard is about the skills and knowledge needed for you to implement an improvement programme to support your organisation's drive to improve food and drink operations. This is important in increasing productivity and success of manufacture, processing and supply within the food and drink supply chain.

You will need to show and understand how you establish operational performance; identifying areas for improvement; implementing; monitoring and recording improvement during your organisations drive to achieve excellence. This can apply to equipment, materials, quality, product, productivity, personnel, working conditions, cost, hygiene, health and safety, or the environment. You will need to agree objectives for an improvement programme, and implement the programme. You will need to comply with your company policy for improvement, take responsibility for your actions, and refer any issues outside of the limit of your authority to others.

This standard is for you if your role requires you to implement an improvement programme in food and drink operations including manufacturing, processing, packing or supply chain activities. You may have responsibilities for aspects of organisational improvement in a team leadership or management role.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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Agree objectives for an improvement programme 

1. establish systems of measurement and analysis in accordance with procedures 
2. establish current performance in accordance with existing targets 
3. encourage all those within the operational area to contribute ideas for improvements 
4. evaluate the ideas for improvements through critical examination of all relevant information 
5. provide positive feedback to the originators of ideas for improvements 
6. agree the objectives for improvements with the relevant personnel
7. present your plans for implementing improvement to the relevant personnel 
8. agree an improvement plan with the relevant personnel 

Implement an improvement programme 

9. initiate the improvement programme in accordance with the improvement plan 
10. co-ordinate the activities which are necessary to implement the improvement programme 
11. motivate others and gain their commitment to the improvement programme 
12. maintain communication with those affected by the improvement programme 
13. provide sufficient information to enable any agreed improvement to be incorporated within Standard Operating Procedures where relevant 
14. communicate the improvement opportunities in accordance with procedures 
15. maintain accurate records and documentation in support of improvement programme

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. the organisation's improvement vision, strategy, objectives and the reasons for implementation of improvement programmes
  2. the health, safety, hygiene, quality and the environmental requirements of the area in which you are carrying out the improvement activity
  3. why improvement is necessary and what the benefits are
  4. why effective planning is essential to improvement activities
  5. why it is important to set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound (SMART) objectives to achieve improved performance
  6. the criteria for establishing new targets and objectives
  7. how to gather, assess and evaluate ongoing performance data
  8. how to motivate others and gain their commitment to participate in improvement programmes
  9. how to encourage and enable the provision of feedback by those involved in the improvement process, and why this is important
  10. how to justify, present and communicate recommendations for an improvement plan
  11. how to develop and implement an effective and realistic improvement plan
  12. how to adjust improvement plans in the event of unforeseen circumstances
  13. the improvement techniques available and their implementation requirements
  14. how to assess improvements against objectives
  15. how to communicate improvement opportunities according to best practice and organisational and legal requirements
  16. how improvement can affect personnel, plant, product and work place operations

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

31 Jan 2025

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

NSAFD

Original URN

IMPQI279

Relevant Occupations

Food Production Operatives, Manufacturing Technologies, Plant and Machine Operatives, Process Operatives, Process, Plant and Machine Operatives

SOC Code

8111

Keywords

Food; Operations; Manufacturing; Excellence; Improvement; Implement;