Are Your Measures Delivering? Key Challenges & Solutions

With the upcoming labour cost increases set to take effect in April, food manufacturers must ensure they have accurate and effective measurement systems in place to protect profitability. As food manufacturing recruiters we’ve seen first-hand how the right performance metrics can make or break a company’s bottom line.

Here are some common measurement challenges we’ve identified when supporting clients in the food industry:

1. Outdated and Inaccurate Measures

  • Many businesses rely on old costed standards that haven’t been updated.
  • Employees are often not trained in data capture, leading to inconsistencies.
  • Performance metrics sometimes don’t align with real outcomes – for example:
    • Excellent technical KPIs but high customer complaints.
    • Strong productivity metrics but poor P&L performance.
  • Lack of auditing means inaccurate measures go unchallenged.

2. Lack of Understanding Among Teams

  • If teams don’t understand how specific metrics impact efficiency, they won’t engage with them effectively.
  • Proper training is essential to ensure performance measurement leads to real process improvements.

3. Overwhelming Data & Too Many KPIs

  • Too many measures create “data overload,” making it hard for management to focus on what really matters.
  • This leads to the “laundry effect” – the longer you wait to act, the more unmanageable the data becomes.

4. Poor Commercial Decisions Due to Inaccurate Data

  • Many costing decisions are based on flawed measurements, leading to:
    • Pricing products out of the market.
    • Hidden losses in promotions or bulk sales.

The Future of Data Measurement in Food Manufacturing

In recent years, the way food manufacturers capture, analyse, and report data has evolved. While many businesses still rely on Excel-based systems, we’ve seen a significant shift towards live data monitoring and AI-driven reporting software to enhance: Productivity, Safety compliance and Employee engagement

Companies investing in real-time analytics are gaining a competitive edge, improving efficiency, and making smarter operational decisions. Some popular systems in food manufacturing include:

  • Red Zone
  • Poet
  • Lineview

We’ve had positive feedback about these platforms, and if you’re considering implementing them, we can connect you with professionals in our network who have first-hand experience. Additionally, having worked with a leader from Lineview, we’d be happy to make an introduction.

If you’re looking for expert food manufacturing recruitment solutions, or need advice on preparing your business for rising labour costs, feel free to reach out.

Get in touch today.

Have a good week,

Den