Operational Excellence Manager

My job

Operational Excellence Manager
Location: Uxbridge
Department: Operational Excellence
Reports To: Operational Excellence Director
Employment Type: Permanent

Job Purpose:

To support the implementation and sustainability of Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) Conversion Costs and drive continuous improvement across the site. This role ensures alignment with Operational Excellence (Opex) strategies, supports KPI and GAP management, and contributes to cost control and performance analysis.

Key Responsibilities:

• Opex Direction Alignment:

• Actively participate in Operational Excellence team meetings and reviews.

• Support financial evaluations, analysis, and commentary.
• Assist in preparing presentations and reports.

• Operational & Engineering KPIs and GAPs:

• Validate metrics and layouts.

• Ensure GAP challenges are aligned with KPIs.
• Support analysis and presentation of performance results.

• Theoretical GAP Analysis:

• Collaborate with the Group Opex team to define and analyse theoretical GAPs.

• Establish benchmarks, best practices, and standards.

• ZBB Cost Control & Management:

• Support ZBB and site cost projects, focusing on consumables (PPEs, chemicals, supplies).

• Develop and implement KPIs and benchmarks across business units.
• Analyse results and support management routines.

• Opex & Engineering Dashboard:

• Maintain and update dashboards for all KPIs and GAPs related to Opex control.

Behaviours / Ways of Working:

• Values:

• Demonstrate alignment with company values in all activities.

• Attitude:

• Proactive in problem-solving and delivering results.

• Relationships:

• Mature approach to cross-functional collaboration and issue resolution.

• Presence:

• Be available and engaged where and when needed.

Success Criteria:

• Effective tracking and improvement of Opex KPIs including:

• Conversion Cost

• GAPs: Gap Up, Gap Down, Gap Tracker, Gap Theoretical

• Utilisation of Management Tools:

• Dashboards

• Management at Sight Boards
• Meeting Agendas
• Standardisation Checklists
• PDCA Cycle
• Visual Process Control
• Board Presentations

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience with performance KPIs and management tools
• Strong communication skills across all stakeholder levels
• Solid understanding of operational processes
• Strong administrative skills in routines, results tracking, and tool usage

Desirable Criteria:

• Lean Six Sigma certification
• Relevant degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

The company

Pilgrim\’s Europe produces some of the best-known and most iconic brands in the UK and Ireland, including Fridge Raiders, Rollover, Denny, Richmond, Oakhouse and Moy Park, alongside a diverse range of industry leading own-label products in categories including fresh pork, lamb and chicken, working with all the major retailers and food service outlets.

Our portfolio extends to authentic chilled and frozen ready meals, snacking ranges, added value and food service products.

Across Pilgrim\’s Europe we combine 20,000 of the best people in the industry, united by a shared set of core values and a passion for producing the highest quality, most delicious and innovative food, which is enjoyed by millions of people in the UK, Ireland and Europe every day. Our Pilgrim\’s Europe team are based in our Pilgrim\’s UK, Moy Park, Pilgrim\’s Food Masters and Pilgrim\’s Shared Services businesses.

What we\’ll bring to the table

Competitive Salary

Competitive Holiday Entitlement

Pension Contribution

Family Friendly Policies

Learning and Development Opportunities

Life Assurance

People matter

Our values

Determination

Simplicity

Availability

Humility

Discipline

Sincerity

Ownership