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- Tasks: Lead operational excellence initiatives to enhance efficiency and drive sustainable improvements.
- Company: Join the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, health cash plan, and generous holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming operations and mentoring future leaders.
- Qualifications: Extensive OE experience, strong leadership skills, and excellent communication abilities.
- Other info: Flexible travel required; dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
£65,000 to £75,000 per annum plus £5,688 per annum car allowance, bonus and benefits. Field based - visiting SN operations across England and Wales.
Our reputation as the UK’s largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler speaks for itself. Every day, we serve more than 22,000 customers from 34 distribution centres across the country. Behind every nightly miracle is a team of dedicated people carrying out more roles than you realise - we’re the unseen force that delivers. So when we say we’re excited for what the future holds for our customers and colleagues, you can trust we’re as good as our word.
The Head of Operational Excellence for Smiths News is accountable for designing and driving the OE architecture and methodology across the business, leading the transformational journey towards sustainable operational excellence. The outputs are to improve efficiency, remove waste, increase capacity and value to our customers. Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Change and leading all central OE resources and activities whilst coaching and advising all leaders across the business in the adoption of OE principles, tools, skills, methods and approaches to driving consistency and sustainable operational improvement.
Bringing new resources, materials, thinking and approaches to SN to help with the OE objectives supported by coaching and development to drive the OE capability across the business.
About the role
- Driving the OE principles, focusing on the initial prioritised 6 (Committed Leadership, Right First Time, Standardisation, Visual Management, Go, See, Do & Customer).
- Designing OE activities and interventions to improve operational performance and enhance colleague capability in the use of 'Think Work Behave' model and supporting tools and techniques.
- Responsible for the quality of OE design, supporting establishment of standard training materials, templates and the governance framework.
- Identifying scale opportunity and applying OE to support interventions to deliver measurable business benefit.
- Preparing reports and materials to support the understanding, approach, outcomes, recommendations of all centrally led OE activity.
- Acting as mentor and coach to key leaders within the business who are developing their OE competencies.
- Being subject matter expert to the organisation on operational excellence.
Flexibility and Travel
- Requires ability and willingness to work at any SN operating location as required, and flexibility to travel as the role requires.
- On occasion requires working early hours to review, support night operations (e.g. 02:00 - 10:00).
What we can offer you
- Free onsite parking.
- 4x salary life assurance.
- 5% match pension.
- £5,688 per annum car allowance.
- Company bonus.
- Company funded Health Cash Plan - providing cash back for everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical and physiotherapy.
- 25 days holiday plus holiday buy scheme.
- 24/7 E-Learning modules, Training and Development opportunities.
- Sharesave Scheme, Cycle to work schemes, Health cash plan.
- Private medical insurance.
- Colleague Assistance Programme & Colleague referral scheme.
About you
- Extensive experience in implementing OE across a range of sectors and functions.
- Ability to lead operational interventions, working with site teams to test, trial and implement process efficiency changes.
- Experience with implementing and leading OE in non-operational / transactional areas.
- Extensive experience in designing and leading focused improvement events resulting in validated step change in efficiency, key performance indicators and enhancing colleague knowledge and capability.
- Expertise in material flow design and layout optimisation.
- Highly skilled in influencing stakeholders and effectively engaging with all levels of business.
- Excellent communication skills; verbal, written, presenting.
- Certification in Lean, 6 Sigma, CI preferred.
- Experience of leading and inspiring and knowledge transfer.
Please note: you must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position. A career with us is a career filled with people, pride, and passion. We rely on each other to get the job done, and we deliver what we say we will. Let’s see if we can rely on you, too. Apply now.
Head of Operation Excellence in Swindon employer: Instore
Contact Detail:
Instore Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operation Excellence in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Operational Excellence role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its OE practices. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around efficiency and waste reduction. Show them you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to submit your application and get noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission of operational excellence.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operation Excellence in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of Operational Excellence role. Highlight your experience in implementing OE principles and any relevant certifications like Lean or Six Sigma. We want to see how your skills align with our goals!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about operational excellence and how you can drive our transformational journey. Be specific about your past successes and how they relate to the role.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves mentoring and coaching, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Whether it's in your CV, cover letter, or any additional materials, make sure we can see how you engage with stakeholders at all levels.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get the best experience possible. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Instore
✨Know Your OE Principles
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key operational excellence principles mentioned in the job description. Brush up on Committed Leadership, Right First Time, and the other six principles. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the core of what the role entails.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully implemented operational excellence strategies. Highlight measurable outcomes like efficiency improvements or waste reduction. This will demonstrate your capability and experience in driving change.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve influenced stakeholders in previous positions. Be ready to share stories about how you’ve engaged with different levels of a business to drive operational improvements. This is crucial for the role, so showing your communication skills will be key.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s current operational challenges and their vision for operational excellence. This not only shows your interest but also your strategic thinking. It’s a great way to demonstrate that you’re already thinking about how you can contribute.
