Operational Excellence Lead in Bristol

LOCATION: Bristol, near Temple Meads (BS2 0RA) - This is an office-based position with 1 day WFH after probation.

CONTRACT: Permanent - Full-time (Mon-Fri)

SALARY: £Competitive (plus bonus up to 5% of annual salary)

THE COMPANY

Over the past 30 years, L&T has become a global player in the medical simulation education market. It has ambitious plans for further growth in the next 5 years across the globe, through investment and new product development. Multi award-winning and still privately owned, the £25M business has grown from a tabletop start-up to a multinational business with its head office and manufacturing in Bristol, along with sales offices in the USA, Australia and Sweden. The vision of the business remains as it always has: to design and manufacture medical task trainers which through deliberate clinical practice help improve patient outcomes. People are at the heart of L&T, they comprise the expertise, contribute to and deliver the vision, in this fascinating and growing market sector.

THE ROLE

The Operational Excellence Lead will be responsible for shaping and leading a step change in operational performance, capability, and business maturity. This role is designed for an experienced transformation professional who has led Lean and operational excellence programmes in complex manufacturing environments and knows how to turn strategy into measurable results. Working across the full value stream, from product development and engineering through to supply chain, quality and manufacturing, the post holder will identify systemic improvement opportunities, strengthen and embed manufacturing processes so that they are more disciplined and data led. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who influences at a senior level, builds credibility across functions, and creates the governance, standards, and continuous improvement culture needed to deliver sustainable business performance.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Operational Excellence Lead is responsible for leading business-wide continuous improvement and transformation initiatives that enhance operational performance, quality and organisational capability. Working closely with senior leaders and cross-functional teams, the role develops and delivers an operational excellence programme that reviews end-to-end business processes, simplifies and standardises ways of working, and embeds lean principles, robust governance and structured problem-solving to improve efficiency, productivity and sustainable business performance. The role partners with R&D, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Manufacturing to strengthen new product introduction and ensure the effective transfer of products into production. It also drives performance improvement across manufacturing operations by identifying and eliminating waste, improving labour efficiency, process flow and operational effectiveness, while strengthening process ownership and the quality, consistency and usability of operational documentation, including standard operating procedures, work instructions and training frameworks. A key aspect of the role is to build organisational capability by coaching leaders and teams, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and accountability, and ensuring that improvement initiatives deliver measurable, sustainable benefits. The Operational Excellence Lead plays a pivotal role in supporting the organisation's transition to a more structured, performance-led and world-class operating environment.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Essential
• Degree qualified in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent senior-level practical experience.
• Significant experience in a senior operational excellence, transformation, manufacturing leadership or business improvement role.
• Strong track record of improving performance across complex manufacturing or product-based businesses.
• Experience of linking product development, engineering and manufacturing to create more effective Production readiness and product introduction processes.
• Demonstrable success in leading cross-functional change, improving governance, and embedding more structured ways of working.
• Strong understanding of operational excellence methods, including lean processes, structured problem-solving, process standardisation and performance management.
• Ability to identify systemic issues, not just local problems, and translate findings into sustainable business improvements.
• Commercially aware, data-driven and able to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.
• Strong leadership presence, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and bring teams with them.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt would be beneficial, but practical leadership impact is more important than certification alone.

Leadership Behaviours

• Strategic and able to see the business as an interconnected system.
• Credible and authoritative with senior leaders and operational teams alike.
• Hands-on when needed, but able to operate at a business-wide level.
• Relentless in addressing root causes and raising standards.
• Comfortable challenging legacy practices and driving professionalisation.
• Structured, disciplined and focused on sustainable execution.
• Collaborative and influential, with the ability to align multiple functions behind common goals.
• Motivated by building a stronger, more capable and world-class business.

THE PACKAGE

In return we offer a competitive salary and a performance-related bonus based on personal objectives that pays up to 5% of your salary annually, study support and the chance to progress in a rapidly growing company. We have recently introduced a new flexible working policy; it currently allows employees (following a probationary period) to work from home one day a week (if their work can be done from home) and also to work longer hours during the week and finish early on a Friday. This is a new initiative that we will review and extend if our employees value it and it works well. Other benefits include a salary sacrifice pension scheme where the company matches your contribution up to 5% plus Employer NI savings - currently 15% of your contribution (this also applies to voluntary contributions), a non-contributory healthcare cash plan including access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), life insurance paying 4x your salary, access to a virtual GP, 25 days holiday (with possibility of buying additional leave), and a cycle to work scheme.

If this sounds like an exciting opportunity and you feel you have got what it takes, please send your CV with a covering letter telling us why you consider yourself suitable for the role, to the HR Manager, Limbs & Things.