At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational improvements and drive transformation initiatives across diverse business units.
- Company: Dawsongroup, a leading asset rental and leasing business with a strong family heritage.
- Benefits: Generous leave, life assurance, funded training, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to influence senior leaders directly.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on operational excellence and shape the future of a growing organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational excellence and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 70089 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Operational Excellence Lead, Continuous Improvement Lead, Transformation Manager, or Operational Improvement Specialist looking for an opportunity to influence change across a diverse group of businesses? As our Operational Excellence Lead, you will bridge strategic transformation priorities with operational delivery, helping Dawsongroup turn insight into measurable improvement and sustainable business success. This is a highly visible group role, reporting to the Chief Transformation Officer and working closely with senior operational leaders across multiple Business Units. You will be responsible for identifying opportunities, driving improvement initiatives, and ensuring that strategic objectives are translated into practical actions that deliver meaningful results.
Responsibilities
- Lead the end to end operational improvement cycle, from data analysis and opportunity identification through to implementation and delivery.
- Develop, maintain, and enhance KPI frameworks that improve visibility of performance across site, regional, and group levels.
- Analyse operational data to identify trends, risks, performance gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
- Support the successful adoption and embedding of transformation initiatives across operational teams.
- Drive measurable improvements in operational performance, asset utilisation, process effectiveness, and commercial outcomes.
Qualifications and experience
- Bringing experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, transformation, or similar operational improvement roles.
- Demonstrating experience of working with operational data, performance measures, KPI frameworks, and reporting.
- Bringing experience of influencing and engaging senior operational stakeholders across multiple sites or business areas.
- Demonstrating the ability to link operational improvements to financial outcomes and broader business value.
- Holding strong organisational, analytical, and communication skills.
- Being comfortable working in a hybrid environment with regular office and site engagement; a full UK driving licence would be advantageous where travel between locations is required.
About Us
Dawsongroup is one of Europe's leading asset rental, leasing, and contract hire businesses, helping organisations improve resilience, agility, and growth through smarter asset strategies. Operating for over 90 years as a family business, we still adhere to the values that guided us for so long, now under the ownership of KKR, while continuing to invest in our people, customers, and future. People are our greatest asset. If you are ready to build a career with a business that values your ideas, invests in your development, and gives you the opportunity to make a genuine difference, apply today and discover what your future at Dawsongroup could look like.
Benefits
- 24 days standard leave allowance + Birthday + plus Bank Holidays + up to 10 days extra (time served and purchase scheme)
- 2x Life Assurance Scheme
- Funded training and development opportunities
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Wellbeing and mental health support
- Long term incentives and internal progression pathways
About Your Future
This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping operational excellence across a complex and growing organisation. Working directly with senior leaders and the Chief Transformation Officer, you will have the opportunity to influence decision making, support major transformation priorities, and drive improvements that deliver measurable business value. The impact of your work will be visible across the group, from improving operational disciplines and performance visibility to supporting commercial optimisation and sustainable growth. If you enjoy creating positive change and seeing the results of your efforts reflected across a business, this role offers a genuine platform to make your mark.
- Shape and influence group-wide transformation and operational improvement initiatives.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across multiple Business Units and locations.
- Develop broad exposure to operational performance, commercial optimisation, asset utilisation, and business transformation.
- Help create a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
- Join a business that continues to invest in its people, infrastructure, technology, and future growth.
If you are looking for a role where your analysis, leadership, and improvement expertise can have a lasting impact across a successful and growing organisation, we would love to hear from you.
Operational Excellence Lead in Milton Keynes employer: Dawsongroup Plc
Dawsongroup is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture where your ideas are valued and your contributions can lead to meaningful change. With a strong focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement, you will have access to funded training opportunities, a generous leave allowance, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, all while working in a dynamic environment that encourages collaboration with senior leaders across multiple business units. Join us to make a tangible impact in a company that has been a trusted name for over 90 years, and be part of our journey towards sustainable success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Excellence Lead in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Operational Excellence Lead at Dawsongroup Plc!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Dawsongroup Plc or be willing to refer you for that Operational Excellence Lead position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Dawsongroup Plc who’s on the lookout for their next Operational Excellence Lead star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Operational Excellence Lead role at Dawsongroup Plc!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Excellence Lead in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Dawsongroup Plc. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dawsongroup Plc
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Dawsongroup Plc. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
