Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive performance improvements and profitability across multiple sites in a hands-on role.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on operational excellence in the food production industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Empowerment to implement best practices in a complex and dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape operational excellence and deliver meaningful results while collaborating with senior leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in live production or continuous improvement, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are looking for an Operational Excellence Specialist to work in partnership with the Head of Operational Excellence, directing and managing the Operational Excellence Management method to drive sustainable performance improvements and profitability across our sites. This is a hands-on, influential role with ownership for delivering Operational Excellence across the Pork Live Operation, working closely with Business Unit Directors, Site Leadership Teams and functional partners.
Key Responsibilities & Measures of Success
- GAP Management
- Build site goals using the GAP tracker and KPI frameworks
- Open, manage and close Technical and Theoretical GAPs
- Operational Excellence Direction & Alignment
- Align Op Ex strategy with BU Directors and Site Leadership Teams
- Ensure alignment between business objectives and Op Ex priorities
- Management Pillar Implementation
- Lead the implementation and long-term sustainability of the Management Pillar across sites
- Coach, audit and ensure correct use of Management Pillar tools to deliver tangible improvements
- KPI & Performance Management
- Maintain a live, consolidated view of Op Ex KPIs, goals and gap closure activity
- Track progress and drive accountability across BU's and sites
- Labour Tool Ownership
- Support implementation, maintenance and optimisation of the Labour Tool
- Support monthly planning using simulators, identify new labour-reduction opportunities and drive performance improvements
- Benchmarking & Best Practice
- Lead internal and external benchmarking activities
- Identify, compare and implement best practices across processes and sites
- Project & Change Support
- Support requirements gathering, prioritisation and Fit/Gap analysis
- Partner with Procurement and Legal to support RFX processes
- Agree project costs and benefits and manage assigned project budgets and delivery against plan
Skills & Knowledge
- Essential / Highly Desirable
- Experience in Live Production (Pork Live Production highly desirable)
- Experience within a Feed Mill environment
- Proven experience in Continuous Improvement
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
- Demonstrated experience embedding new processes and ways of working through coaching, influence and empowerment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong presence, credibility and personal gravitas with energy, stamina and passion for delivery
Qualifications
- Degree level qualification (desirable)
- Six Sigma Certification (desirable)
- Lean Manufacturing experience
- Background within an FMCG environment (desirable)
This role offers the opportunity to make a real, measurable impact on operational performance, working across multiple sites with senior leaders and operational teams. You will be empowered to shape Operational Excellence, drive best practice and deliver meaningful business results in a complex and dynamic environment.
Operational Excellence Specialist in Southampton employer: Pilgrims Europe
Contact Detail:
Pilgrims Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Excellence Specialist in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working in operational excellence. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to operational excellence. Think about your past experiences and how they align with the role. We want you to showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to drive improvements!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your applications. A quick email to express your enthusiasm can keep you on their radar. Remember, we’re all about showing initiative!
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for the latest job openings. We regularly update our listings, and applying directly through us can give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Excellence Specialist in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your relevant achievements in operational excellence and continuous improvement, so we can see how you fit right into our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about operational excellence and how your background aligns with our goals. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples where you've driven performance improvements or implemented successful processes. Numbers and results speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing those!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrims Europe
✨Know Your Operational Excellence Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key principles of Operational Excellence, especially in relation to the pork live production sector. Familiarise yourself with GAP management and KPI frameworks, as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've successfully implemented continuous improvement strategies. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your analytical capabilities.
✨Demonstrate Your Coaching Ability
Since this role involves coaching and influencing others, prepare to share experiences where you've empowered teams or individuals to adopt new processes. Highlight how you’ve used Management Pillar tools to drive tangible improvements.
✨Align with Their Vision
Research the company’s operational goals and values. During the interview, express how your personal objectives align with their mission to drive sustainable performance improvements. This shows that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.