At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational excellence initiatives and drive continuous improvement across the organisation.
- Company: Join an iconic British motorcycle brand with over 120 years of history.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant work culture with exciting employee events and free electric bike hire.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team shaping the future of a legendary motorcycle brand.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in relevant field and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
We’re not just another bike brand - we're an iconic, British motorcycle brand with over 120 years of history behind us. Our new state-of-the-art facilities in Solihull, West Midlands are home to a tight-knit, but ever-expanding team that's passionate about delivering exquisite riding experiences to our customers. Under new ownership and proud to be part of the TVS Motor family, we're entering a new era of global success. And we want you to be a part of it!
At Norton, we value respect, trust, and responsibility. We trust our employees to execute their roles exceptionally and professionally, and we value personal development, teaching, and learning. When you join our team, you'll have the opportunity to grow and learn alongside some of the most talented and dedicated people in the business.
The Operational Excellence Lead is responsible for driving a culture of continuous improvement, Total Quality Management (TQM), and operational excellence across the organisation. This role serves as a catalyst for transforming business processes, improving productivity, enhancing quality, reducing waste, and embedding a customer-first mindset throughout the value chain.
The incumbent will lead cross-functional improvement initiatives, coach teams on Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, establish operational standards, and ensure sustainable improvements aligned.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Lead Norton's Operational Excellence strategy and deployment roadmap
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality, maintenance, and support functions
- Identify improvement opportunities through structured data analysis, process assessments, and value stream mapping
- Facilitate cross-functional teams to deliver measurable improvements in Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Productivity, and Morale (SQCDPM)
- Establish governance mechanisms to monitor improvement projects and ensure sustainability
- Champion a company-wide quality culture by embedding TQM principles into daily operations
- Facilitate structured problem-solving using PDCA, A3, 8D, Root Cause Analysis, and CAPA
- Promote process ownership and accountability
- Support deployment of quality standards and management systems
- Drive Zero Defect and Right First Time initiatives
- Encourage fact-based decision making using quality metrics
- Strengthen supplier and internal quality improvement collaboration
- Promote standardisation and process discipline
- Lead Lean transformation initiatives across the organisation
- Deploy Lean tools including; 5S Workplace Organisation, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping (VSM) etc.
- Facilitate Kaizen workshops and improvement events
- Establish continuous improvement pipelines
- Coach employees on Lean thinking and problem-solving methodologies
- Lead DMAIC projects to improve business performance
- Utilise statistical analysis to identify process variation
- Improve process capability and reduce defects
- Develop KPIs and dashboards for operational performance
- Drive productivity improvement and cost optimisation projects
- Map, analyse, redesign, and optimise business processes
- Remove bottlenecks and non-value-added activities
- Develop standardised operating procedures
- Support digitalisation and automation initiatives
- Ensure process sustainability through documentation and audits
- Drive manufacturing excellence by promoting; Zero Loss mindset; Operational discipline; Stable and capable processes etc.
- Support implementation of world-class manufacturing practices while ensuring operational stability
- Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Encourage employee participation through suggestion schemes and Kaizen programs
- Build problem-solving capability at all organisational levels
- Coach leaders in servant leadership and continuous improvement behaviours
- Recognise and celebrate improvement achievements
- Monitor and improve performance through; OEE; Productivity; First Pass Yield; Right First Time etc.
- Develop dashboards for management review and decision-making
- Lead organisational transformation initiatives
- Manage change using structured change management methodologies
- Ensure adoption and sustainability of improvement initiatives
- Coach leaders through transformation journeys
- Develop Operational Excellence competency frameworks
- Conduct training on Lean, Six Sigma, TQM, Quality Tools, and Continuous Improvement
- Mentor Green Belts, Yellow Belts, and improvement champions
- Build internal capability for sustainable improvement
- Ensure adherence to operational standards
- Support internal and external audits
- Maintain compliance with applicable quality, environmental, and safety management systems
- Establish operational excellence review mechanisms
- Drive risk-based thinking and preventive actions
Qualifications & Desired Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline
- Master's degree or MBA is desirable
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred
- Certification in Lean Manufacturing, TQM, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement is an advantage
- 8 plus years of experience in manufacturing, operations, quality, or industrial engineering
- Minimum 5 years leading Operational Excellence, Lean, Continuous Improvement, or Manufacturing Excellence initiatives in OEMs
- Experience in automotive, engineering, industrial manufacturing, or other high-volume manufacturing environments
Rewards of working for Norton:
- Competitive salary package that recognises your skills and experience
- 33 days of holiday (inc. Bank Hols) to relax and recharge
- Generous pension scheme that sets you up for the future, with access to personalised advice
- Private Medical Insurance and a Cash Back Programme to keep you feeling your best
- Life insurance (4x salary) because we've got your back no matter what
- FREE fruit, got to have your five-a-day!
- WeCare Employee Assistance Programme, which includes access to online GP services, dietary advice, mental health support, bereavement counselling, and a fitness programme
- Experience the thrill of an entrepreneurial environment within a larger, well-funded company with ambitious long-term goals.
- Elevate your career with our Ideas for Excellence scheme, where every brilliant idea is not just valued, but also rewarded!
- A diverse and international team that brings together different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.
- Join the fun with our twice-yearly employee events, payday socials, and loads of exciting activities in between!
- Want to go green? You can enjoy free electric bicycle hire
- Plus, no need to stress about finding a parking spot - we've got on-site free parking covered and FREE electric charge points.
- We know how important it is to take care of our team, and we're committed to continually improving our reward offering in line with the business growth plan.
Join us and see for yourself!
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT ACCEPT AGENCY APPLICATIONS
Operational Excellence Lead in Solihull employer: Norton Motorcycles
At Norton, we pride ourselves on being more than just a motorcycle brand; we are a family that values respect, trust, and responsibility. Located in Solihull, our state-of-the-art facilities foster a collaborative work culture where personal development is encouraged, and every employee's ideas are celebrated. With competitive benefits, including generous holiday allowances, private medical insurance, and opportunities for career growth, joining our passionate team means becoming part of a legacy while shaping the future of motorcycling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Excellence Lead in Solihull
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Norton Motorcycles, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Excellence Lead in Solihull
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Norton Motorcycles specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Norton Motorcycles
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Norton Motorcycles, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Norton Motorcycles value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
