At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality and customer experience initiatives, driving continuous improvement across manufacturing and distribution.
- Company: Award-winning manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team focused on sustainability and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer satisfaction and operational excellence in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: Degree in Quality, Engineering, or Business; 5+ years in a senior quality role.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
Our client is an award-winning, market-leading manufacturer and distributor serving customers across the UK and Ireland. Operating from a modern manufacturing and distribution facility, the business is recognised for its quality, innovation and exceptional customer service. With a strong reputation and ambitious plans for continued growth, it offers an exciting environment for talented professionals to develop their careers.
This is a senior leadership role with end to end ownership of quality and customer experience, focused on right first time delivery, reduction of cost of poor quality, and continuous improvement across manufacturing and distribution. The Operational Excellence Manager ensures that customer issues are owned, analysed, resolved, and prevented from recurring. The role retains governance of Quality and appropriate oversight of Health, Safety and Environmental systems, while prioritising business improvement, problem solving and customer impact over administration.
The Job:
- Customer Quality & Experience
- Own all major customer quality issues and complaints end to end.
- Lead containment, investigation, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Ensure effective communication with customers and internal stakeholders throughout issue resolution.
- Prevent repeat issues through robust system and process improvement.
- Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Champion a right first time and continuous improvement culture.
- Lead CI / Lean projects to reduce defects, waste, rework and cost of poor quality.
- Use structured problem solving tools (e.g. 8D, 5 Why, Pareto, SPC).
- Work cross functionally to improve operational effectiveness and customer outcomes.
- Quality Management
- Develop, maintain and continually improve the Quality Management System (ISO 9001).
- Lead internal, external and customer audits; ensure timely closure of actions.
- Ensure product and process quality across manufacturing and distribution.
- Manage non-conformances, deviations and quality risks.
- Health, Safety & Environmental Leadership
- Provide leadership and assurance for Health & Safety and Environmental systems.
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure legal and standards compliance.
- Oversee incident investigation and risk mitigation.
- Support sustainability initiatives (waste, energy, environmental compliance).
- Supplier Quality
- Own Supplier Quality Assurance framework.
- Lead supplier audits, corrective actions and improvement plans.
- Work with Procurement to reduce supplier related quality risk.
- Reporting & Leadership
- Define and report key metrics (customer complaints, defects, cost of quality, CI progress).
- Provide clear insight to senior leadership on risks, trends and improvements.
- Act as a visible leader and role model for quality, accountability and improvement.
The Person:
- Education & Qualifications
- Degree (or equivalent experience) in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing or Business.
- Formal training in ISO 9001 / Quality Management Systems.
- Continuous Improvement / problem-solving training (Lean, Six Sigma or equivalent).
- Experience
- 5+ years in a senior quality, operational excellence or CI role within manufacturing or distribution.
- Proven experience owning major customer quality issues and complaints end-to-end.
- Strong background in RCA, CAPA, non-conformance management and audit leadership.
- Demonstrated delivery of measurable quality and cost improvements.
- Knowledge & Skills
- Deep understanding of Quality Management Systems and audits.
- Strong data analysis and reporting capability.
- Structured problem-solving expertise.
- Ability to influence and challenge at all organisational levels.
- Confident communicator with customers and senior leaders.
- Personal Attributes
- Highly customer-focused with strong ownership mentality.
- Energetic, improvement-driven and results-oriented.
- Pragmatic, resilient and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong values, integrity and professionalism.
- Collaborative leader who builds capability in others.
If you are interested in this position, then please send your CV using the appropriate method, or contact our office for a confidential discussion.
Operational Excellence Manager TLNT1_NI in Antrim employer: IrishJobs
As an award-winning manufacturer and distributor, our client offers a dynamic work environment that prioritises quality, innovation, and exceptional customer service. Employees benefit from a strong culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a modern facility. The company fosters a collaborative atmosphere where talented professionals can thrive while making a meaningful impact on customer experience and business success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Excellence Manager TLNT1_NI in Antrim
✨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 Manager TLNT1_NI at IrishJobs!
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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 Manager TLNT1_NI role at IrishJobs!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Excellence Manager TLNT1_NI in Antrim
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 IrishJobs. 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 IrishJobs
✨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 IrishJobs. 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!
