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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise manufacturing processes using Lean and Six Sigma principles.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security with over 53,000 employees worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, mental health support, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Why this job: Be part of a culture that values innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in operational excellence, understanding of Lean & Six Sigma, and strong problem-solving skills required.
- Other info: This role offers hybrid working options and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description:
Your impact
An exciting opportunity for an Operational Excellence Manager has arisen, working in the Operations function, within Leonardo. This role is based at our Edinburgh.
The Operational Excellence Manager, working at site level will provide leadership and vision to optimize Operations Manufacturing through use of Process Excellence and Lean and 6 Sigma practices, Operational Excellence Managers role will require broad experience across the lifecycle phases of New Product Introduction (NPI), Delivery (sustaining), In service (customer), whilst collaborating with the Operations team. The ideal Role holder will have a broad and/or deep knowledge and experience of Business Operations. In support of the Operations VP as well as working in co-ordination with the Head of Operational Excellence
As an Operational Excellence Manager, you will join the team to drive lean culture across operations manufacturing enabling world class production of Leonardo products by focusing on optimizing manufacturing and business processes to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality, often using lean and 6 Sigma principles like 5S, Kaizen, Value stream mapping and kanban.
Duties and responsibilities to include:
- Process optimisation: analyse current manufacturing, business support and logistics processes to identify areas of waste, reduce cycle times & inefficiencies
- Implement lean manufacturing techniques to optimise manufacturing flow, material handling, data flow and waste (via e.g. 5S, Kaizen, Value stream mapping and kanban)
- Train staff on lean manufacturing, 6 sigma principles and best practices
- Monitor data identifying performance gaps and the effectiveness of lean strategies and adjust as necessary
- Analyse current operational processes and performance, implementing solutions for improvement as required
- Collaborate with production teams to implement process improvements
- Develop standardised work instructions to ensure consistency and efficiency of manufacturing, workflows and lean projects
- Lead continuous improvement projects, Kaizen events and optimisations
- Assist in root cause analysis to identify and address production issues
- Document process changes and results for future reference and ongoing improvement
- Ensuring that all lean improvements and implementations adhere to safety regulations and quality requirements.
- Training, Coaching & Supporting.
- Create a culture which improves manufacturing efficiency by generating innovative ideas and solutions also ensuring capacity analysis, simulation planning workflow, space requirements, and equipment layout
- Promoting a culture of best practice sharing and knowledge exploitation
- Mentor, coach and develop members of the team to develop overall capability, lean training materials and programs
- Conduct root cause analysis to determine metrics, troubleshoot manufacturing/business issues, material flow, project plans, production capacity, facility design and create process documentation
What you’ll bring
- Proven experience as an Operational Excellence Manager or similar role and evidence of implementation
- Understanding of lean & 6 Sigma manufacturing principles and ability to implement them
- Strong problem-solving abilities
- Excellent leadership and team management skills
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience with statistical analysis and process improvement tools
- BSc degree in Business Administration, Engineering or related field
- Certification in Lean Six Sigma is a strong advantage
This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.
Security Clearance
This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting
Why join us
At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you\’re looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
- Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
- Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
- Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.
Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.
At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Be part of something bigger – apply now!
Primary Location:
GB – Edinburgh
Contract Type:
Employee-Permanent
Hybrid Working:
Onsite #J-18808-Ljbffr
Operational Excellence Manager employer: Leonardo UK Ltd
Contact Detail:
Leonardo UK Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Excellence Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Lean and Six Sigma principles, as these are crucial for the Operational Excellence Manager role. Consider joining relevant online forums or local meetups to discuss best practices and network with professionals in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by volunteering for projects that require team management or process improvement. This will not only enhance your experience but also demonstrate your capability to lead and mentor others, which is key for this position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've implemented process improvements in previous roles. Use metrics to highlight the impact of your initiatives, as data-driven results are highly valued in operational excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Leonardo's current operations and any recent news about their manufacturing processes. Being knowledgeable about the company’s challenges and successes will help you tailor your discussions during interviews and show your genuine interest in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Excellence Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in operational excellence, lean manufacturing, and 6 Sigma principles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and leadership skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for operational excellence and how your background aligns with the role. Mention specific techniques like Kaizen or Value Stream Mapping that you have successfully implemented in previous roles.
Showcase Relevant Certifications: If you have certifications in Lean Six Sigma or related fields, make them prominent in your application. This can set you apart from other candidates and show your commitment to continuous improvement.
Highlight Team Collaboration: Emphasise your experience working collaboratively with production teams. Provide examples of how you have led training sessions or mentored team members to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo UK Ltd
✨Showcase Your Lean and Six Sigma Knowledge
Make sure to highlight your understanding of lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've implemented these practices in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability to drive process improvements.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare by thinking of past challenges you've encountered in operational roles and how you resolved them using data analysis or process optimisation techniques. This will show your analytical skills and practical experience.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Team Management Skills
As an Operational Excellence Manager, you'll need to lead teams effectively. Share examples of how you've mentored or coached team members in the past, and discuss how you foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within your teams.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Strong communication is key in this role, especially when collaborating with various teams. Be ready to explain how you've successfully communicated complex ideas or changes to stakeholders in previous positions, ensuring everyone is on board with process improvements.
