Continuous Improvement Leader (OPEX TEAM)
Continuous Improvement Leader (OPEX TEAM)

Continuous Improvement Leader (OPEX TEAM)

Preston Full-Time 38400 - 57600 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead projects to drive Operational Excellence and improve business performance.
  • Company: Join BAE Systems, a leader in defence and aerospace, committed to innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible health benefits, employee share plans, and competitive pension schemes.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a diverse and inclusive culture that values your contributions.
  • Qualifications: Degree in STEM or relevant experience in Operational Excellence and Project Management required.
  • Other info: Relocation support available; inclusive recruitment processes for all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 38400 - 57600 £ per year.

Location: Barrow-in-Furness (Full time on site position)

Salary: Circa £48,000 depending on skills and experience

What you’ll be doing:

  • Driving Operational Excellence principles through leadership and work activities
  • Understanding the expectations of stakeholders in terms of business operational and improvement KPIs, across Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People (SQCDP)
  • Contributing to building and deploying the strategic roadmap for true Operational Excellence deployment
  • Assuring that the OpEx programme of tactical and strategic activities and projects is prioritised, delivered and governed
  • Responsible for successful delivery of projects, building and managing effective project plans
  • Developing, deploying, and training team members to optimize their contributions while meeting role demands, and inspiring business leadership to culturally and progressively support and embed Operational Excellence (OpEx) in alignment with strategic direction

Your skills and experiences:

  • Degree/ HNC or equivalent in STEM based subject or equivalent, or relevant work-based experience within Operational Excellence and/or Continuous Improvement Programmes and initiatives
  • Experience of deploying and managing OpEx toolsets and methodologies, in particular Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma
  • Significant experience in leading a Team through improvement Projects and demonstrates competence in Project Management discipline
  • Expertise in Change Management, Stakeholder Management, and Communication to drive successful Operational Excellence (OpEx) implementation

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Continuous Improvement (OpEx) team:

You will be part of a team that is responsible for working alongside internal and external consultants in order to develop cost management and savings models to directly impact the dreadnought programme. You will engage with senior leaders (SDA where appropriate) to develop cost improvement strategies.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 28th May 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Continuous Improvement Leader (OPEX TEAM) employer: BAE Systems (New)

BAE Systems is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Barrow-in-Furness where you can truly make a difference as a Continuous Improvement Leader. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive training and development opportunities, alongside a competitive benefits package that includes flexible health and lifestyle options, ensuring a supportive and inclusive culture. Join us to be part of a team that values diversity and empowers you to fulfil your potential while contributing to impactful projects within the Operational Excellence framework.
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Contact Detail:

BAE Systems (New) Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Continuous Improvement Leader (OPEX TEAM)

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies, as these are crucial for the Continuous Improvement Leader role. Consider obtaining relevant certifications or attending workshops to demonstrate your commitment and expertise in these areas.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the Operational Excellence field, especially those who have experience in the defence or manufacturing sectors. Engaging with industry groups on platforms like LinkedIn can help you gain insights and potentially get referrals.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've successfully led teams through improvement initiatives. Highlight your project management skills and how you've effectively communicated with stakeholders to drive change.

✨Tip Number 4

Research BAE Systems' current projects and their approach to Operational Excellence. Tailoring your discussions during interviews to align with their strategic goals will show that you're not only knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in contributing to their success.

We think you need these skills to ace Continuous Improvement Leader (OPEX TEAM)

Operational Excellence Principles
Lean Manufacturing
Six Sigma
Project Management
Change Management
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills
Team Leadership
Strategic Planning
Data Analysis
Problem-Solving Skills
Training and Development
Governance and Compliance
Performance Metrics Understanding

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement. Emphasise your skills in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Project Management, as these are crucial for the role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Continuous Improvement Leader position. Mention your experience in driving operational excellence and managing improvement projects.

Highlight Stakeholder Management Skills: In your application, showcase your expertise in Change Management and Stakeholder Management. Provide examples of how you've successfully communicated and implemented changes in previous roles.

Showcase Leadership Experience: Demonstrate your leadership capabilities by detailing your experience in leading teams through improvement projects. Include specific outcomes or KPIs that illustrate your impact on operational performance.

How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Systems (New)

✨Understand Operational Excellence Principles

Familiarise yourself with the core principles of Operational Excellence, especially Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these methodologies in past roles and how they can benefit the company.

✨Showcase Project Management Skills

Highlight your experience in leading improvement projects. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your ability to build and manage effective project plans, ensuring you can articulate the outcomes and lessons learned.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Demonstrate your understanding of stakeholder management by discussing how you've successfully engaged with various stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to explain how you would approach building relationships within the team and across the organisation.

✨Communicate Your Vision

Articulate your vision for embedding Operational Excellence within the company culture. Think about how you can inspire and train team members to optimise their contributions, and be prepared to share strategies for fostering a supportive environment.

Continuous Improvement Leader (OPEX TEAM)
BAE Systems (New)
B
  • Continuous Improvement Leader (OPEX TEAM)

    Preston
    Full-Time
    38400 - 57600 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-05-26

  • B

    BAE Systems (New)

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