Operational Excellence Leader (Bulk Operations)

Overview

Operational Excellence Leader (Bulk Operations) (Internal job title – Data Driven Maturation Leader)

Your Manager: Transformation Manager

Team: Production, Bulk Operations

Location: Elgin or Dalmuir – this role can be based in either site but requires travel to other sites across Scotland

Be part of something big

We are Pernod Ricard, a leading company in the global spirits industry with over 19,000 employees globally. We own 16 of the world’s top 100 Spirits Brands and hold one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry with premium brands available in over 160 countries, including: Absolut vodka, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater, Malfy and Monkey 47 gins, Malibu liqueur and Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes.

Here in the UK

In the UK, Pernod Ricard is made up of 4 businesses:

• Chivas Brothers, the largest brand company in the Group, responsible for the production and management of our award-winning Scotch whisky portfolio
• Pernod Ricard UK, which markets, sells and distributes our products in the UK market
• Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, the global and EMEA home of the group’s duty free, air travel and cruises business.
• The Absolut Group, the brand owner of our global white spirits portfolio, whose Gin brand unit and Business Acceleration team sit in London.

We are an organisation of 2,000 employees in the UK, headquartered in London, in a brand-new office designed with sustainability, ‘conviviality’ and collaboration in mind. We also have offices in Scotland and various distilleries and production sites across the UK from Plymouth to London to Speyside.

Your new team

This position sits in our Chivas Brothers business. At Chivas Brothers, our 1,600-strong team across 27 sites is committed to upholding the heritage of Scotch and ensuring its sustainable future, as well as opening it up to new audiences across the globe.

The scope of Operations stretches from Procurement through conversion (distillation and maturation) and manufacturing (or bottling) to all the downstream Supply Chain activities until the final product is delivered. In addition, Operations play a very active role in Innovation, Talent Development and Operational Risk Management.

The Bulk Operations team sit within Production and are responsible for Filling, Dumping, Vatting and Warehousing of our products. The team are based across our sites in Central Scotland and in Speyside and are driving a high level of Health, Safety, Environment, Quality and Operational Excellence standards.

Your unique contribution

This role is responsible for advancing Data Driven Maturation initiatives led by the group, with a focus on enhancing maturation yield and driving higher profitability, as well as overseeing the department’s “Drive the Performance” initiative, targeting a 5% increase in OEE across all lines to boost efficiency. You will also support junior team members with coaching and line management when required.

You will have three main areas of responsibility:

• Data Driven Maturation – the aim of Data Driven Maturation (DDM) is to reduce losses and optimize maturation lead time by developing and deploying new technologies and processes using a data-driven approach. The DDM Lead will deliver initiatives on the global DDM roadmap on time, with strong internal stakeholder support and participate in the global DDM community of practice and help shape future initiatives. You will implement new technologies and processes, fostering development through coaching and operator support and articulate commercial benefits to the business by collaborating with Inventory and Finance departments.
• Process Improvements – to lead the department’s \”Drive the Performance\” initiative, influencing key internal stakeholders to embed continuous improvement activities within their functions. You will develop and maintain new and existing KPIs and train and coach staff in lean methodology and continuous improvement techniques. You will enhance RUN tiered meetings and introduce IMPROVE tiers for structured progress tracking, fostering a culture of continuous improvement with a strong focus on engagement.
• Project Management & Engineering – to serve as the interface between external and internal stakeholders to create user requirement specifications and support the development of short- to long-term business strategies, including budget creation for CAPEX planning. You will facilitate the change management process and project manage machinery procurement, from defining the business case to overseeing installation and commissioning. You will also drive digital transformation and influence strategic business decisions.

Who you’ll be working with

Internally, you’ll collaborate with colleagues across warehousing, operations, planning, blending, and engineering.

Externally, you will collaborate with stakeholders and suppliers, particularly to support the creation of user requirement specifications

Your blend of talent

This position could be right for you if you:

• Have previous industry experience in an improvement focused role and / or are degree qualified in a relevant subject.
• Are computer literate with proficiency in relevant software such as Microsoft Excel
• Are results orientated and have a pragmatic approach to problem solving.
• Have effective communication skills and a positive attitude with an ability to influence at all levels.
• Have the initiative and willingness to proactively learn new skills.
• Have a current UK Driving License.

Our mix of benefits

For your health, we offer private medical insurance, income protection and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.

Our lifestyle benefits include 25 days’ annual holiday (increasing with length of service up to 27) plus 11 public holidays, your employee pension, share incentive plan, share ownership plan, life assurance and more!

You can access lots of gifts & discounts, including an allowance each year to spend on our brands in our staff shop, our reward & recognition scheme and employee discounts from a range of high street retailers.

We have employee-run networks, a culture of flexibility and trust and a variety of tools and resources to help you focus on your wellbeing and mental fitness.

Conviviality: the Pernod Ricard Way

We have our own way of doing things. We call it conviviality! It’s our way of being, and something unique you feel and experience when working for Pernod Ricard.

We’re committed to conviviality, and with this, you’ll be Proud to Belong to our Pernod Ricard family. You’ll be Empowered to Perform, supported to succeed, and acknowledged for the value you bring.

We combine all this with our Commitment to Care: we are unlocking the magic of human connection to transform our industry and make a positive impact on the world though our strong focus on sustainability and responsibility.

We’re committed to diversity and inclusion

People are at the heart of everything we do at Pernod Ricard and are the foundation of our collective spirit as ‘Créateurs de Convivialité’.

We promote diversity and inclusion throughout our business and supply chain. In our teams, we proactively foster a diverse work force and an inclusive culture – an environment where we can truly be ourselves.

We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors. Please feel free to leave these off your CV and application form if you so wish.

Similarly, if you would like to discuss opportunities for flexible working or require accommodations or support to complete our application process, please let us know.

Responsible drinking

As ‘Créateurs de convivialité’, we want to turn social interactions into genuine and friendly experiences of sharing and wellbeing.

In our culture, we want to create diverse teams in which our differences contribute to our success. Therefore, all are welcome at Pernod Ricard, regardless of your religious beliefs or personal choices on the consumption of alcohol.

In our business, we work together with industry members, civil society, governments, local authorities and UN bodies to promote responsible drinking.

Closing Date for Applications:

13th October 2025

Job Posting End Date:

2025-09-15

Target Hire Date

2025-11-01

Target End Date

2025-11-01