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- Tasks: Lead continuous improvement projects and streamline processes across the organisation.
- Company: Join Alternative Heat, a leader in sustainable building services in the UK and Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy full training, competitive pension, health plans, and fun social events.
- Why this job: Be part of a people-focused culture that values innovation and teamwork.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or related field with 5 years of experience in manufacturing operations.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with state-of-the-art facilities and free onsite parking.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Operational Excellence Manager
Application Deadline: 4 July 2025
Department: Contracts
Employment Type: Permanent – Full Time
Location: Alternative Heat Head Office
Reporting To: Project Director
Description
The opportunity has arisen to join an industry leader in UK\’s & Ireland\’s Building Services sector. Alternative Heat design, develop and deliver a wide range of offsite-prefabricated, innovative, and sustainable building service solutions throughout the UK & Europe.
We specialise in the design, supply, and installation of a wide range of prefabricated energy solutions, typically built in NI and shipped throughout the UK & Europe. We also offer turnkey design, build, and operate solutions for commercial energy centres and large-scale district heating solutions and have experience with successfully procuring and delivering many similar packages to a wide range of public bodies throughout UK & Europe.
Role Overview:
The Operational Excellence (OpEx) Manager will lead the continuous improvement initiatives across the business, focusing on streamlining processes, reducing waste, and driving efficiency across all departments. This role is critical in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and embedding Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to achieve business objectives. This role is a truly people focused role and as such we are seeking a human centered, team orientated individual with a sub-servient leadership attitude and approach.
Job Title | Operational Excellence Manager
Location | Banbridge
Hours | Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm and Friday 8am-3pm
Salary | Competitive Depending on Experience
Responsible to | Project Director
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage continuous improvement projects across operations, supply chain, and support functions.
- Identify and analyse operational inefficiencies using Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI tools.
- Champion a culture of operational excellence across the organisation through training, coaching, and stakeholder engagement.
- Collaborate with senior leaders and cross-functional colleagues to define, prioritise, and execute strategic improvement initiatives.
- Develop KPIs and dashboards to monitor progress, ensure accountability, and deliver measurable improvements.
- Facilitate workshops and kaizen events to encourage employee involvement and idea generation.
- Deliver cost-saving and efficiency-driving initiatives that align with corporate goals.
- Monitor industry trends and introduce best practices to maintain competitive advantage.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential Criteria:
- People focused with a sub-servient approach to leadership.
- Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Management, or a related technical field and or minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing operations, with a strong focus on continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated success in leading lean transformation or Six Sigma projects in a factory or plant environment.
- Strong working knowledge of OEE, TPM, SMED, 5S, visual factory, and other Lean tools.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001 or other quality management systems.
- Analytical and data-oriented approach, with the ability to interpret manufacturing metrics to drive decisions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; capable of working effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrable team building, cross-functional project delivery.
Desirable Criteria:
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or above.
- Additional training in operational excellence, project management (e.g., Prince2, PMP), or change management is desirable.
Benefits
- Full in-house training and career development opportunities.
- Competitive pension scheme.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Health cash plan.
- Full access to smart wellbeing platform.
- Annual flu vaccine
- Free annual health check during working hours.
- Annual leave increasing in line with length of service.
- Lavish Long service awards
- Generously funded social events organised for all employees throughout the year via our Social and Wellbeing committee.
- Electric vehicle charging ports
- Full access to car emergency kit.
- Annual Christmas raffle
- Yearly allowance for AH Branded clothing merchandise
- Secure, free onsite parking.
- Dedicated departmental budget allocated annually for team building events during working hours
- Free Barista Style Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Tea, and Fruit provided daily.
- Friendly and supportive working environment in state-of-the-art facilities.
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Operational Excellence Manager employer: Alternative Heat
Contact Detail:
Alternative Heat 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 methodologies, as these are crucial for the Operational Excellence Manager role. Consider joining online forums or local meetups to discuss best practices and gain insights from industry professionals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Alternative Heat or similar companies in the building services sector. This can provide you with insider knowledge about the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your past successes in leading continuous improvement projects. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, showcasing your analytical skills and people-focused leadership style.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends and innovations in operational excellence. Being able to discuss recent developments or case studies during your interview will demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement and your proactive approach to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Excellence Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Operational Excellence Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in continuous improvement, Lean, and Six Sigma methodologies. Provide specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to that demonstrate your ability to drive efficiency and operational excellence.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since this role requires a people-focused approach, illustrate your leadership style in your application. Discuss how you've successfully managed teams, facilitated workshops, or engaged stakeholders in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a tailored cover letter that not only summarises your qualifications but also conveys your passion for operational excellence. Mention why you're interested in working for Alternative Heat and how you can contribute to their goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Alternative Heat
✨Understand Lean and Six Sigma
Make sure you have a solid grasp of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, as these are crucial for the Operational Excellence Manager role. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these principles in past projects and the results achieved.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role is people-focused, highlight your experience in team leadership and collaboration. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged stakeholders and fostered a culture of continuous improvement within teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to identify operational inefficiencies. Think of specific instances where you've led improvement initiatives and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss how you use data to drive decisions. Prepare to talk about key performance indicators (KPIs) you've developed or monitored in previous roles, and how they contributed to operational success.
