At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive operational excellence initiatives and implement best practices across multiple manufacturing sites.
- Company: Leading UK food manufacturing business focused on continuous improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, benefits package, and genuine career development opportunities.
- Other info: High-profile role with exposure to senior leadership and collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Influence change at scale and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational excellence, strong analytical skills, and coaching abilities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
We're recruiting an experienced Operational Excellence Specialist to join a leading UK food manufacturing business. This is a highly visible role working across multiple manufacturing sites, partnering with senior operational leaders to improve performance, reduce waste and deliver sustainable business improvements. This is an opportunity to influence change at scale, working within a business committed to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
The Role
Working as part of the Operational Excellence function, you will support manufacturing sites in identifying opportunities, implementing best practice and delivering measurable improvements across safety, quality, cost, delivery and people performance. You'll work closely with Site Leadership Teams to embed continuous improvement methodologies, coach operational teams and ensure improvements become part of everyday operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive Operational Excellence initiatives across multiple manufacturing sites.
- Analyse operational performance using KPIs to identify improvement opportunities.
- Develop and manage performance improvement plans to close operational gaps.
- Coach and support site leadership teams in continuous improvement methodologies.
- Lead the implementation and sustainability of Operational Excellence tools and processes.
- Identify labour optimisation opportunities through data analysis and operational review.
- Benchmark internal and external best practice to improve business performance.
- Manage improvement projects from concept through implementation, ensuring agreed benefits are delivered.
- Build strong relationships with Operations, Engineering, Technical, Finance and Procurement teams.
- Promote a culture of accountability, problem solving and continuous improvement.
About You
You'll be someone who enjoys challenging the status quo and influencing positive change through collaboration rather than authority. You'll ideally have:
- Experience within food manufacturing or FMCG.
- A proven background in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement or Manufacturing Excellence.
- Strong Lean Manufacturing knowledge with practical application.
- Experience coaching operational leaders and embedding sustainable improvements.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- The ability to manage multiple projects across several manufacturing locations.
- A data-driven approach to improving operational performance.
Desirable
- Lean or Six Sigma qualification.
- Experience within high-volume manufacturing.
- Knowledge of labour planning, performance management or productivity improvement.
- Multi-site operational experience.
What's on Offer?
- Opportunity to influence operational performance across a large manufacturing operation.
- High-profile role with exposure to senior leadership.
- A business committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package.
- Genuine opportunity for career development and progression.
If you're an experienced Continuous Improvement or Operational Excellence professional looking to make a significant impact within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.
Operational Excellence Specialist in Suffolk employer: Blakeney Point Search & Selection
Join a leading food manufacturer in Cornwall that prioritises employee growth and development within a dynamic work culture. As a Technical Manager, you'll not only influence site strategy and ensure the highest standards of food safety and quality but also benefit from a supportive environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With strong customer relationships and a commitment to continuous improvement, this role offers a meaningful opportunity to make a real impact in the food manufacturing sector.
Contact Details:
Blakeney Point Search & Selection Recruitment Team
