Senior Capability Manager in London

A fast-growing, global FMCG brand is looking for a Senior Operations Capability Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping capability, strengthening operational discipline, and driving continuous improvement across its EMEA Operations division.

This is a high-visibility role for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, knows what “good” looks like in operations, and genuinely enjoys building capability in others. If you’re passionate about process excellence, training, Lean methodology and creating engaged, high-performing teams, this is a rare and impactful opportunity. We are ideally looking for a Lean six sigma black belt for this role.

The Role

You’ll be the engine behind the division’s operational capability: mapping processes, driving CI, building training frameworks, and ensuring teams have the right skills, tools and documentation to operate brilliantly.

Working closely with senior leadership, line managers, HR and SMEs, you’ll lead initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce waste, embed best practice and support a culture of continuous improvement.

What You’ll Lead

Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Map and define business processes in a consistent, scalable format.
• Introduce clear governance for documentation, version control and accessibility.
• Drive Lean and CI initiatives (RCA, VSM, waste reduction) to enhance productivity and operational discipline.
• Build CI mindsets across the team through coaching, tools and structured programmes.

Capability & Training

• Own the functional Training Needs Analysis across Operations.
• Lead the creation and rollout of SOPs and functional training materials.
• Partner with line managers and L&D to design and deliver training that elevates functional capability and performance.
• Track impact using data, metrics and the 70/20/10 methodology, ensuring learning truly sticks.

Performance & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Support leaders in setting performance metrics and capability targets.
• Coach teams through embedding new ways of working.
• Build strong relationships across Operations, HR and other key functions to align capability initiatives with wider business goals.
• Provide clear reporting on training impact, CI projects and capability development.

About You

• Background in Operations, Continuous Improvement or Operational Excellence within FMCG or similar fast-paced environment.
• Strong Lean/CI knowledge (Black Belt desirable).
• Comfortable facilitating complex discussions, mapping processes and driving behavioural change.
• Skilled at creating and delivering training that inspires, engages and builds real capability.
• Analytical, structured and highly organised.
• Confident working with stakeholders at all levels and influencing new ways of working.
• A solutions-focused, growth-minded operator who enjoys improving how things work — and helping others do the same.

Why This Role Matters

This isn’t just a process role, it’s culture-shaping. You’ll be the person who raises the bar on how teams operate, learn, collaborate and continuously evolve. If you’re excited by operational transformation, capability uplift, and making a lasting impact on a growing EMEA organisation, this could be your perfect next step.

Sound exciting? APPLY NOW!

Email: nathan.collinson@advocate-group.co.uk

We look forward to your application for this exciting opportunity.

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner, based in the UK, to the FMCG and consumer product sectors. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

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