Zsolt Czentye
Devizes,Wiltshire
Summary
Operational Excellence leader with 18 years in UK food manufacturing, focused on cost reduction and operational performance. Drive Lean and CI programs, improving workflows, reducing waste, and strengthening execution discipline. Apply data-driven root-cause analysis and coach teams to sustain continuous improvement results.
Overview
2
2
Languages
1
1
Certification
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Operational Excellence Manager
Greencore-Bakkavor Desserts
Devizes, Wiltshire
11.2020 - Current
- Delivered £1.5M+ site improvement projects (Project XL+) in 2025 and £1.3M+ in 2024.
- Delivered £800K+ improvement projects (Project XL) in 2023.
- Implemented WRAP waste capture system (2024) to enhance waste visibility and support reduction efforts.
- Supported onboarding of £30M additional business to Devizes site (2023).
- Aligned Devizes site with Bakkavor Operating System (BOS) standards (2022) to ensure compliance and operational consistency.
- Led Kaizen delivery and training across site (2021-present) to foster continuous improvement culture.
- Served as subject matter expert and coach for Redzone system implementation; led full implementation including master data setup (2021).
- Delivered Project GEM (Lean principles and management process) in 2020.
Manufacturing Senior Section Manager
Bakkavor Desserts
Devizes, Wiltshire
07.2017 - 11.2020
- Oversaw a team of 5 direct reports and 90 indirect reports, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
- Managed daily and weekly KPIs, aligning team efforts to meet annual business targets.
- Enhanced GMP across all manufacturing areas, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
- Coordinated daily team meetings to delegate tasks, communicate priorities, and align on goals.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current best practices, implementing improvements to meet industry standards.
Production Manager
Haydens Bakery LTD
Devizes, Wiltshire
03.2014 - 07.2017
Education
NVQ Level 5 - Business Management
Association of Merchants and Restaurateurs of Pest
Budakeszi01-2000
Certificate of Higher Education - Automotive Engineer
College of Automotive Engineering
Budapest01-1997
Skills
- Lean management
- Kaizen facilitation
- Continuous improvement
- Waste reduction
- Project delivery
- Process optimisation
- Change control
- KPI reporting
- Manufacturing operations
- Cross-functional leadership
- Root Cause Analysis
- Problem solving
- Leadership skills
Languages
Hungarian
First Language
English
Advanced
C1
Certification
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certified
- M&S Hygiene and Food Safety Certificate by FSC
- Fiery - Effective Leadership certified
- Level 3 Supervising Food Safety certified
- Level 2 HACCP, Level 2 COSHH certified
- Basic Food Microbiology and Allergen awareness certified
- M&S Hygiene and Food Safety Certificate by FSC certified
Timeline
Operational Excellence Manager
Greencore-Bakkavor Desserts
11.2020 - Current
Manufacturing Senior Section Manager
Bakkavor Desserts
07.2017 - 11.2020
Production Manager
Haydens Bakery LTD
03.2014 - 07.2017
NVQ Level 5 - Business Management
Association of Merchants and Restaurateurs of Pest
Certificate of Higher Education - Automotive Engineer
College of Automotive Engineering