Behind the Scenes
Every successful blend starts long before it reaches a customer. Behind the scenes, our Operations team works to ensure our baking powders and leavening agents are manufactured safely, efficiently and to the highest possible standards.
From production and warehousing to logistics, maintenance, quality and health & safety, Operations plays a critical role in keeping Kudos Blends running smoothly every day. It’s a fast-paced environment where teamwork, problem-solving and continuous improvement are part of the culture.
Meet Tilly Little, Head of Operations
Leading the department is Head of Operations, Tilly Little. Having progressed through several roles during her time with the business, Tilly has experienced first-hand how the company invests in its people and supports career development.
We caught up with her to learn more about her, the Operations team and what makes this area of the business such an exciting place to work.
Tell us about your background and career journey at Kudos Blends.
“My background is primarily in sales and operations. Before joining Kudos Blends, I worked for a furniture hire company where I coordinated sales orders, logistics, people and site operations.
I joined Kudos Blends as a Sales Coordinator and progressed to Senior Sales Coordinator. I became involved in production planning, the dispatch processes and warehouse operations, which eventually led to my promotion to Warehouse and Logistics Manager. From there, I became Head of Production, overseeing both manufacturing and warehouse operations, before progressing into my current role as Head of Operations.”
What do you enjoy most about leading the operations team and what makes the team culture unique?
“What I enjoy most is the people! The operations team are a proper family – we work extremely well together, driven by the right attitude and shared determination to get stuff done!
Our culture is defined by strong teamwork, genuine support for one another, adaptability and a shared sense of responsibility. Every day brings different challenges, so it’s important we stay calm under pressure, act swiftly and bring together the right people to solve problems.
We work closely with other departments too, to solve production issues and work on shared projects, where everyone is working to achieve the same goal.”
What does a typical day look like across the operations department?
“No two days are the same!
Every morning starts with an operations meeting where we review health and safety, quality control testing, production performance and daily targets, operations projects and maintenance.
Across the site, we run three production lines, we manage deliveries and collections to two warehouses, produce for 16 hours a day across two overlapping shifts and oversee maintenance, production planning, training, quality checks and any unexpected challenges that arise.
It’s a busy environment that relies on teamwork and strong organisation every day.”
What qualities and values help people succeed within the operations team?
“A positive, can-do attitude is absolutely essential.
The people who do well here are adaptable, collaborative and willing to go the extra mile to support others. Teamwork, communication and problem-solving are really important.
All of our company values are important, but communication, enthusiasm and creativity stand out most strongly within the operations team. From continuous improvement initiatives to problem-solving and the ideas generated across the department, those are the values that are part of our everyday.”
How does Kudos Blends support, recognise and develop its employees?
“Training and development are a major focus for us. Employees receive practical training on machinery, production processes, quality procedures and health and safety requirements, alongside opportunities to gain external qualifications such as forklift licences, first aid certification and specialist training.
We strongly believe in promoting from within. Many of our current leaders and managers started in smaller roles within the office or production, before progressing into management or supervisory positions. We also have staff who have completely moved departments and ended up crossing from production to the office, into technical or office-based positions.
We recognise and reward employees through production bonuses, loyalty schemes, reward initiatives and recognition for ideas that help improve the business. We also celebrate long-serving team members – this includes three colleagues who recently celebrated 10-year anniversaries with us!”
What have been some of the department’s biggest achievements, and what’s next?
“One of our biggest achievements in the last 12 months was managing the installation of a major mill upgrade. The project involved a planned four-week shutdown and has significantly increased production capability and efficiency.
We’ve also strengthened our preventative maintenance programme, helping reduce downtime and improve reliability across the site.
Looking ahead, we’re planning a new warehouse project that will bring external pallet storage back on site, alongside a new blends line project designed to improve workflow, increase capacity and support future growth.
As the business continues to grow, the operations team is growing with it. Over the last few years, the team has doubled in size and introduced new leadership and specialist roles, creating even more opportunities for development in the future.”
What would you say to someone considering a career with Kudos Blends?
“I would highly recommend it!
In my experience, Kudos Blends has a genuinely supportive and welcoming culture where everyone works together regardless of department. There is a real family-friendly atmosphere but also plenty of opportunity to develop professionally.
In my five years, I’ve progressed from Sales Coordinator to Head of Operations, which demonstrates the company’s commitment to developing its people. It’s a fast-paced environment where ideas are encouraged, improvements happen quickly and people are given opportunities to grow.
If you’re looking for a business that values development, teamwork and continuous improvement, Kudos Blends is a great place to build your career.”
Meet the Operations Leadership Team
Rob Williams – Production Manager
“Operations is a fast-moving environment, so being adaptable and always looking for better ways of working is part of our everyday, whether that be with people or our equipment.”
Nick Jones – Head of Health & Safety
“The operations department at Kudos Blends is a fast-moving, diverse environment where every task has purpose. Encouraging people to get involved and engaged is essential to raising standards and making Kudos Blends a welcoming and safe place to work.”
Nikki Weaver – Quality Manager
“As Kudos Blends has grown, the Operations team has gone from strength to strength, with strong leadership and excellent communication building a great team spirit and a high-quality culture across the entire site.”
Jamie Matts, Martin Collins (Bubble) and Ben Morrant – Area Managers
Jamie “One of the things I enjoy most is seeing ideas become reality. If someone has a better way of doing something, they’re encouraged to speak up.”
Driving the Future of Kudos Blends
From manufacturing and logistics to maintenance and quality, the Operations team is responsible for keeping every part of the business moving forward. Their expertise, dedication and teamwork ensure customers receive the high-quality products and service they expect from Kudos Blends.
As the company continues to grow, so too does the Operations team, creating new opportunities for development, innovation and progression. Operations remain at the heart of Kudos Blends’ success – helping turn our ambitious plans into achievable results.
Interested in joining our team?
