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- Tasks: Drive quality, safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement in a dynamic operations environment.
- Company: Join Arla Foods, a global leader in the dairy industry focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contributions, flexible benefits, and strong career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on operations while collaborating with passionate colleagues in a purpose-driven culture.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree or equivalent experience, with 5+ years in food production operations.
- Other info: Enjoy a steep learning curve and internal mobility in a supportive, inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Operational Excellence Specialist – Stourton
Location: Leeds, GB
Do you want to make a visible impact on a large, complex operations site by driving quality, safety, efficiency and continuous improvement?
As an Operational Excellence Specialist, you’ll be a key contributor to our site’s performance, challenging processes, coaching colleagues and turning data into better decisions every day. You’ll work with limited supervision and collaborate widely across functions to deliver tangible results.
How you will make an impact?
You will be responsible for achieving operational targets and ensuring delivery of services within your area, interacting with stakeholders and acting as an important interface across the function. You will drive CI activities, ensure compliance to Arla standards and legal requirements, and coach colleagues to embed best practice across the site.
- Act as an Operations Specialist impacting performance at a large/complex senior site; identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities.
- Ensure execution of business plans and compliance with Arla Foods’ standards and procedures with strong focus on Quality, EHS and economy.
- Own compliance to quality and food safety requirements in your area, completing tasks and activities to secure operations performance.
- Drive sustainability initiatives with focus on responsible resource usage and practices; optimize processes and enable innovation through technology.
- Collaborate with Production and Innovation; support operations with NPI/NPD, project implementation and customer visits; escalate issues and propose solutions.
What will make you successful?
- Master’s degree (e.g., Engineering/Science) or equivalent; or University degree with equivalent experience.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in food production operations or deep specialist skills gained through significant years of experience (10–15+ years with special training).
- Proven track record in CI/lean, compliance to quality and food safety, and data-driven decision making (SPC, OEE, MDE, SAP, MES, basic statistics).
- Experience coordinating cross-functional stakeholders and supporting NPI/NPD and investment projects.
- Improvement champion: challenges status quo and turns insights into practical changes.
- Collaborative coach: supports and mentors colleagues while building a safe, inclusive culture.
- Pragmatic problem-solver: prioritises effectively, communicates clearly, and follows through.
We work closely together with high job satisfaction and strong onboarding support, within a purpose-driven, safety-first culture grounded in farmer-owned values and sustainability at the core, offering a steep learning curve, development opportunities, and internal mobility in a market-leading company.
What do we offer?
You’ll join a high-performing Operations team where your ideas translate into real improvements on a complex site. We’re committed to professional development and promoting from within. Our collaborative culture will bring out the best in you as you help us produce nutritious household-favourite brands responsibly.
- Annual Pay review
- Employer pension matched up to 6% (12% total contributory)
- X4 annual salary life assurance cover
- Flexible Benefits- buy up to 5 days annual leave, reward gateway scheme- discounts with various retailers via my benefit platform.
- Strong career development & training (internal and external training)
Would you like to join us?
If you want to facilitate innovation and help shape the industry, then seize this exciting opportunity. Please apply as soon as possible as we will process applications on a continuous basis and close the recruitment once the right candidate is found. The initial closing date for applications is
For additional information, please contact Jess Thwaite – jesth@arlafoods.com
Shape the Future of Dairy
Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to producing high-quality products while championing sustainability and innovation. We\’re passionate about people and our planet, striving to unleash the full potential in each of us. Our goal is to make healthy dairy nutrition and good food habits accessible to all. Join us at Arla Foods and become part of a worldwide cooperative dedicated to making a significant impact on the planet and steering the dairy industry towards a sustainable future.
We are devoted to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Diversity and collaboration are key to our success, propelling us to new heights in the dairy industry.
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Operational Excellence Specialist - Stourton employer: Arla Foods Deutschland GmbH
Contact Detail:
Arla Foods Deutschland GmbH Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Excellence Specialist - Stourton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Arla or in similar roles on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching common questions for Operational Excellence roles. Think about how your experience aligns with their focus on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills during interviews. Use specific examples from your past where you’ve driven improvements or tackled challenges head-on.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Excellence Specialist - Stourton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Operational Excellence Specialist role. Highlight your experience in continuous improvement, compliance, and data-driven decision-making to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about operational excellence and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention specific examples of your achievements.
Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit: We love a team player! In your application, emphasise your experience working with cross-functional teams and how you've coached or mentored colleagues. This will show us that you can thrive in our collaborative culture.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your enthusiasm and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arla Foods Deutschland GmbH
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of operational excellence, continuous improvement, and food safety standards. Familiarise yourself with Arla's values and how they align with your experience. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but that you understand the company's mission.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully driven continuous improvement or tackled compliance issues. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easy for the interviewer to see your impact.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Come prepared with insightful questions about the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges in operational excellence or how they measure success in this position. This demonstrates your genuine interest and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
✨Be a Collaborative Coach
Highlight your coaching skills and how you've mentored colleagues in the past. Discuss how you can foster a safe and inclusive culture while driving performance. This aligns perfectly with the collaborative nature of the role and shows that you’re ready to contribute positively to the team.
