Brakes Group: Applying Leadership and Management in Food Operations

This report provides a detailed analysis of operations management and leadership within the food industry, using Brakes Group as a case study. It defines and compares the roles of leaders and managers, examining how these roles are applied in various organizational situations. The report applies different leadership theories and models, such as situational leadership and the Great Man theory, to specific contexts within Brakes Group. It differentiates between the roles of leaders and managers, assesses the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, and critically evaluates various leadership theories. Furthermore, the report explores key approaches to operations management, the importance of operations management in achieving business objectives, and the factors that impact operational management and decision-making. It evaluates how leaders and managers can improve operational efficiencies and analyzes the effects of different factors on the business environment and wider community. The report concludes by critically evaluating the application of operations management and its impact on the broader business environment of organizations like Brakes Group. Desklib provides access to this solved assignment and a wealth of other study resources for students.

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
IN FOOD INDUSTRY
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
a) Defining and comparing different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager:.............3
b) Way in which role of a leader and function of a manager is applied in different situation
within organisation..........................................................................................................................5
c) Applying theories and models of leadership approach in specific situations within organisation
.........................................................................................................................................................6
d) Analysing and differentiating between the role of a leader and function of a manager by
effectively applying a range of theories and concepts.....................................................................7
e) Assessing the strengths and weakness of different approaches to situations within work
environment.....................................................................................................................................7
f) Critically analysing and evaluating different theories and approaches to leadership..................8
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
a) Key approaches to operations management and role that leaders and managers play................8
(I) Approaches towards operations management............................................................................8
(ii) Role of leaders as well as managers........................................................................................10
b) Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.................11
c) Assessing the factors within business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision-making by leaders and management........................................................................12
d) Evaluating the way in which leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational
management to successfully meet the business objectives............................................................13
e) Analysing the way in which different factors in affect the business environment and wider
community.....................................................................................................................................14
f) Critically evaluating application of operations management and factors that impact on the
wider business environment of organisation.................................................................................14
Conclusion:....................................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES:.............................................................................................................................16
Appendix:......................................................................................................................................19
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INTRODUCTION
The food industry at today’s time is a very important growing sector. An industry as large as this
requires proper management of the many operations that it runs. It is one of the biggest industries
even in the United Kingdom. Every company eventually in order to success well needs to
properly follow operations of all activities done in the firm. It is also utmost important to manage
well all operations in order to assert any miss happenings or frauds. Its large size is particularly
responsible for an increase of pressure on personnel with high posts such as managers and
supervisors. In this assignment, "Brakes Group" has been chosen for study and review. Herein,
this study is about management of operations in the food industry using an overall review of
Brakes Group.
TASK 1
a) Defining and comparing different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager:
Leader: In the general context the leader is defined as an individual, who is solely responsible
for the achievement of the stated goals of the organisation. Antonakis and House (2014, p.750)
well mentioned that the leader is held accountable as his or her prime duty is to lead the given
group of individuals and help them in accomplishing their tasks. In the food industry, the leader
plays a very important role as there involves a lot of tasks that are required to be completed
within a time frame.
Manager: In the simpler terms, the manager is defined as, the individual who is responsible for
handling all the operations held within the organisation. The manager in the chosen organisation
is obligatory bound to effectively manage the wide range of group operations. The organisation's
operations as are spread into various geographic regions.
Comparison:
Each of leaders as well manager has their own set of characteristics according to their assigned
duties.
Characteristics Leader Manager
Attitude for goals Is bound to set new
goals.
Guide team towards
goals.
Perception towards Fresh approach. Limit with given
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work choices.
Risk ability Loves and accepts a
risk.
Avoid risk.
Personal attributes High confidence and
influencing power.
Effective
communication skills.
(Table 1: Characteristics of leader and manager)
(Source: self-developed)
There are various roles that are duly, well performed by both the leader as well as the manager
which are important for smooth functioning of the organisation.
Leadership and management are activities in each business like two sides of a coin. Both
management and leadership help an organisation to successfully achieve its goals. They both are
solely responsible for growth as well as smooth operations flow of management. Therefore, they
both are ideal in order to properly manage all operations.
Roles performed by the leader:
There are wide ranges of roles that are well performed by a leader. Firstly, the leader helps in
motivating employees to perform better. In Brakes Group, as a leading organisation, the overall
performance is quite satisfactory due to the good work was done by its employees. The financial
entities always face constant pressure in order to ensure well that food standards and hygiene are
well met as prescribed. According to Benoliel and Somech (2015, p.90), those who lead help in
building morale amongst workers. This means driving everyone towards one common goal and
therefore all the goals are duly met within the time frame.
Functions of manager:
Ideally, a manager needs to perform a whole set of duties. First and foremost is planning, which
helps in laying off the map in sequence towards the goals. Secondly, comes organising of plans
in well-performed actions. After proper planning and organising actions well, another main
function is to control operations. Controlling refers to an assurance of check of all duties
performed. Managers take vital roles through which the company overall gets controlled. The
leaders are overall controlled and managed by the manager. In this way, the business planning is
also essential for meeting the duties and regulations of the firm.
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b) Way in which role of a leader and function of a manager is applied in different situation
within organisation
Roles of leader:
Brakes Group is a manufacturing firm in a food industry. Being a manufacturing company,
leaders are bound to perform and guide the team well. The company follows well guidelines of
"Ken Mc Meikan" as it is able to experience a boost in sales by £ 0.5 billion. Even operations in
terms of market segmentation have increased well from four to six countries. Brakes Group is
able to take a whole new form as a bigger picture in expansion as well as in the wholesale
market. With influencing the power of its leaders, the company at present is able to influence
relevant areas of entire food service along with hospitality. It even focuses on conducting of
meetings at regular intervals in accordance to discuss well the values, visions, goals of the
company. These leadership meetings help organisations to set new deadlines, visualise more and
encourage the employees to come up with fresh and new ideas in front of management
(Pomegranate. 2017. Brakes Group).
Functions of manager
Company's management has segregated all roles well as per division of operations. With help of
proper planning of actions by managers, the corporation has faced an increase in the workforce
by nearly fifty percent. The entity has also been able to establish a joint venture with
collaboration with Fresh Direct. This collaboration led to an escalation of growth in terms of
sales. This growth is measured as fastest in the entire market industry. Brakes group, with its
efficient management skills, has also set up a program for the welfare of society named as
“Meals and More”.
The aforementioned organisation is effectively bound to manage its operations well as all of its
actions are very well connected with firms. Gradel et al. (2016, p.33) stated that manager
efficiency helps in determining competence level among employees which help them in
competing amongst team members. This leads to enhance productivity level and achieving
desired goals within given time frame.
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c) Applying theories and models of leadership approach in specific situations within
organisation
Main leadership theories among all are:
Situational leadership: This is a leadership style that is solely known well for qualities of
assertiveness among leaders. The main definition incorporates the application of said qualities
upon work parameters (Grohar-Murray et al. 2016, p.92). Working according to changing
circumstances and situations is a quality most desired in a leader. For example, if there is a
requirement for providing training to subordinates, then it is expected that those in superior
positions provide efficient training in those areas. This helps in enhancing qualities of output
given by employees (Lussier and Achua, 2015, p.27). This leadership style helps in working in
direction of enhancing confidence level that is required. There is a high requirement of skills of
communication, which is very important as there are several interactions amongst different
people. The Brakes Group deals with a lot of people as its product expansion on huge
geographical regions. It needs to design its products according to differing tastes that different
consumers have, along with their preferences and choices. For this, understanding of
communication with local people is required.
A great theory regarding leadership is the Great Man theory. It is based on an idea which states
that influential leaders throughout history have achieved success owing to their natural charisma
and wisdom (Groenen et al. 2016, p.17). Organisations, including the Brakes group, are always
on the lookout for such individuals, as they prove to be fine superiors. The main counter to this
train of thought is the accepted idea that great men are the products of the surroundings they
have grown up in.
The behavioural theory attempts to rationalise and divide superiors according to the type of
qualities they display while on a leadership job. Task-oriented leaders, for example, are recruited
for said posts due to their innate ability to initiate, organise, clarify and gather data relevant to
required tasks.
Grohar-Murray et al. (2016, p.95) have mentioned that other leader types focus more on the
physical and mental aspect of responsibilities they have been entrusted with. Brakes Group
possesses a proper human resource management system that is on a lookout for personnel
displaying the aforementioned properties. Such workers are given important jobs along with the
added responsibilities of others serving under them as well.
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Models in practice of leadership:
Famous models are of a massive help in designing and framing. One of the most famous and
well-applied models is the leadership development. It is a fair idea of awareness of one's
strengths and weaknesses. Brakes Group tends to recruit people who have the utmost confidence
in their own skills. The recruitment tests are designed in a way that only personnel displaying
qualities mentioned in the aforementioned leadership model are selected. Sharpening of required
skills and providing a foundation for the growth of leadership qualities are carried out by the
company in accordance with this model.
d) Analysing and differentiating between the role of a leader and function of a manager by
effectively applying a range of theories and concepts
Leadership roles apply well to managers and those given superior posts. The superiors are
always supposed to work according to moral and ethical values. According to Meuser et al.
(2016, p.1380), the leaders play a direct role in supervising the work of employees working
under them. Behavioural and Great Man theories give a fair idea regarding the roles that a leader
plays and qualities that they display. Leadership models provide a basic framework for
developing said qualities in those who display potential for it. Managers, in contrast, do not
directly interfere with work done by lower level employees and only check the overall output of
a sector (Meuser et al. 2016, p.1380). There are various similarities along with differences that
both exist within operations and its management. One of biggest similarity is that their activity
helps in managing all operations well. On other hand, difference is that leaders guide team, in
order to achieve tasks whereas managers help in the overall management of operations and
employees both. While they clearly display leadership qualities, they are not required to deal
with additional responsibilities such as checking the progress of people on an individual basis.
e) Assessing the strengths and weakness of different approaches to situations within work
environment
There are both strengths as well as the weakness that are effectively mentioned in each approach.
The application of any of the approach within the organisation leads the results in both. Those
who are able to work with patience and understanding are allocated greater responsibilities (Qu
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et al. 2015, p.290). The feelings of superiority are a potential weakness that should not be
ignored in any circumstances.
One of biggest strength is coordination as per team and its work helps in proper sequence leads
to the achievement of all goals. On other hand weakness that is embroiled in theory is that certain
folks that also might possess have leadership quality can be left over. Brakes Group applies
leadership development approach, which develops desired qualities in the superiors and senior
workers. This effectively succeeds in fulfilment of required goals. Training of the other
employees is one aspect that is never to be compromised for fulfilling said goals.
f) Critically analysing and evaluating different theories and approaches to leadership
The aforementioned theories give a fair assessment of various aspects of leadership. They stress
on the possession of certain qualities which they deem are of immense importance for effective
work output.
The Great Man theory, however, fails to explain the effect of environment on the personality of
the workers and leaders. Thus, it is not an ideal yardstick for measurement and recruitment of
superior officers. In contrast, the behavioural theory is able to sufficiently explain all the aspects
of leadership and various factors affecting it. There are numerous leadership theories that are
stated by experts. An important theory, such as behavioural theory which clearly defines the
various behavioural attributes each leader possess and its impact on organisation and growth.
Another important theory is contingency theory which focuses on identification of goals and
tasks as per energies that are ideally synchronised well.
TASK 2
a) Key approaches to operations management and role that leaders and managers play
(I) Approaches towards operations management
All approaches all in together helps in the general context of achieving desired input and output
levels that are ideal for every smooth running of business. Both inputs, as well as output, are
important factors that need to clearly work upon well.
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There are various different approaches that are in point of fact obtained on application of the
theories along with the models by the corporation. One of the key approaches to the management
is the behavioural aspect. The firm truly believes that the attitudes of an individual play a major
role in the achievement of the desired targets. For example, it is truly believed that the companies
should operate as a single community. Reilly (2016, p.19) mentioned well that the single
community here refers to working together of the managers along with the subordinates in proper
coordination.
Proper coordination of personnel of various levels leads to the decreasing number of conflicts
and creation of a peaceful environment. The conflicts are taken care of in an appropriate way.
Further with help of a correct approach to behaviour, there is uniformity maintained within
Brakes group. The uniformity in simpler terms means that all employees are given equal
importance especially in delivering ideas, innovation and providing any suggestions (Schmit-
Pokorny, 2015, p.387).
The chosen entity, despite being among the biggest, continuously develops its strategies to
improve in several areas. In addition, to change in people's tastes, the industry also deals with
seasonal change in the availability of ingredients. Thus, behavioural effect leads to a better
collection of ideas, visions and expansion suggestions as a team.
Another approach followed is that of situational leadership. It is one of the most essential as well
as important aspects. Schriesheim (2014, p.1079) stated well that the management needs to
constantly work according to the changing seasons. The changing season leads to change in
demand for the products too. For example, the pupil's demand for beverages in summers is
different as to those of winters. Further dealing in different geographic regions the demands for
the products varies. Therefore it is essential to go along with the change. Shields et al. (2015,
p.58) have well mentioned that this change also leads to a change in management style.
For example, in a particular region with the different set of the employee workforce, some
aspects of the Great Man theory are seen in the application. On the other hand, the same might
not fit well with an entirely different region, as employee workforce of that region might find the
leaders or the administrative authorities too bossy, which might result in employee migration. An
effective strategy is the operational strategy as its prime parameters are successes of operations
of management are very important. In order to achieve a good operational strategy, every firm
needs to draw up certain strategies.
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(ii) Role of leaders as well as managers
Both the leaders along with the managers are very well required by any organisation for the
smooth functioning of the flow of operations. The leaders of Brake Group are given the task of
focusing on solely on their employees. The work output of employees serving under said leaders
is completely their responsibility. A complete overview of the finished job and ensuring quality
performance are some of the responsibilities allocated to leaders and those in similar positions.
The managers, on the other hand, are responsible for efficient work output by several leaders.
They oversee proper functioning of whole teams under specific leaders and are not concerned
with individual assessments.
The proper checks of all the activities are well tracked as well as recorded of the accounts, a role
played by various other departments. Storberg-Walker and Madsen (2015, p.58) have mentioned
well that the roles played by other departments such as sales department, which fulfils the sales
target. The marketing department is responsible well to proper marketing of all products within
the market. The selected firm in order to expand its operations has very well marketed its product
with well framed marketing techniques, such as SWOT analysis, which in detail identify
strengths, weakness, opportunities as well as threats which are completely based on the product
in respect with the selected market (Taylor et al. 2016, p.17). The managers help in the proper
assessment of all the activities that are well done by the various departments. Due to this, the
effective hierarchy gets maintained within the particular chosen organisation. Healthy
relationships are also seen within the leaders and the managers. On estimation, of all the
performance, Brakes Group easily identifies weak areas and factors not performing as per
expected level.
In order to manage all the operations well, managers in general needs to follow a proper
appropriate process. The process requires planning of activities in advance. Operations
management here takes a vital role in meeting the development of the skills and the productive
activities in the workplace. However, the work culture also gets framed by measuring the
management scenario of chosen organisation. Detailed plan leads to a proper road map of a
direction of all the activities and their sequence in which they need to be performed. Organising
after the planning is the next step most followed well by the above-stated business. Proper
organising activities lead to the sequence of the activities performed by the different departments
(Washington et al. 2014, p.11).
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In sequence comes the directing, which helps in joining the direction of flow of work. For
example, it helps in asserting of the duties that need to be performed by each individual in
respect with the designation it holds. Lastly, comes controlling, which is the general terms refer
to in control of the activities. This control is ideally required as it leads to the formation of the
budget. The budget helps in the selection of areas where the capital is required by the
organisation and where it is not required. Say, the production department as the chosen firm is
the manufacturing organisation always needs more capital and other resources in the production
department.
b) Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
Operations management (OM) is the management of tasks that are important for an organisation
to transfer a wide range of inputs (from raw materials to finance) into the outputs that are the
main services and products to the targeted customer (Bowers and Khorakian, 2014, p.26). Inputs
include the aforementioned raw materials and finance, along with the requirement of the
consumers, information, skills and energy.
The operation management and how efficient it is for any company is entirely dependent on the
type the organisation is, like an agency or a retail company. It is the cornerstone that leads to the
foundations of strategies, tactical decisions, and operational decision formulation. With the help
of the operations management, the business aims and the objective are formulated in an accurate
manner. For this reason, the correct decisions are also chosen by the managers and the leaders
which are helpful to increasing the value of chosen firm.
According to Chai et al. (2014, p.725), management of operations provides the most vital
assistance to the making of decisions of strategic levels. Decisions are taken while taking current
conditions into account. The main aim is always to create efficient systems and firm-wide
processes to achieve the end goal of competitive advantage. The decisions are based on
challenges that are present, and they can be long-term, mergers or major changes in the
technology of the company.
Decisions regarding the tactics also require the help of the aforementioned management. The
effective scheduling and planning of the resources while taking the laws and regulations into
account are also one of the major responsibilities of the OM (Galliers and Leidner, 2014, p.96). It
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is the task of the OM to ensure the planning of the shifts and the scheduling of delivery of
important items such as the basic raw materials in a planned way.
The controlling as well as the final implementation of the decisions of operations themselves
requires the help of this kind of management. The targets of focus are mainly the individual
targets of the departments. Since these sorts of decisions are typically short termed, they are
often implemented in a quick and efficient manner. The daily business decisions that the
organisation takes are carefully considered with the full assistance of the OM (Paillé et al. 2014,
p.67). The main decision-making processes, in this case, are taken by the leaders of the teams
and the planning individuals.
c) Assessing the factors within business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision-making by leaders and management
There are several factors within the overall environment surrounding businesses that have a
tremendous impact on the decision-making and management of operations by the superiors and
the leaders. The company comprises of several levels of employees in a hierarchical manner. The
role of everyone, from te grassroots levels to top of an organization and the effectiveness with
which they complete their responsibilities are important factors that eventually influence the
decisions regarding the direction which the firm moves towards.
Purce (2014, p.88) is of the opinion that factors of the external environment include economic,
social, cultural and technological aspects. Economic factors influence demand and costs of
products, forcing decision makers to formulate their choices based upon them. In a similar vein,
technologies and socio-cultural factors also influence decisions that leaders make in order to
minimise potential losses that can stem from these factors.
The legal dimension is also one that is of paramount importance. This is so because of all
financial organisations, including Brakes Group, have to make their choices while keeping the
Acts, regulations, and rules in mind. Failure to do so inevitably result in cancellation of services
for not meeting required guidelines. Needless to say, this leads to immense losses; the prevention
of which is a reason for making choices while keeping the legal aspect in mind in the first place.
Rigby et al. (2011, p.95) have stated that rivals play a role in the decision making. Since most of
the choices are taken with the aim of surpassing marketing competitors, it is easy to observe the
impact they have on company strategies. Similarly, regulators and suppliers are also factors that
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