At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a group-wide Operations Excellence strategy and drive continuous improvement.
- Company: Market-leading UK food manufacturer with a focus on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Real career development opportunities and a values-led work environment.
- Why this job: Make a visible impact on operations and champion a culture of excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in operational excellence and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced team committed to sustainability and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
A market-leading UK food manufacturer with a proud heritage and instantly recognisable brands enjoyed by millions of consumers every week. A business driven by quality, innovation, and continuous improvement, investing heavily in people, processes, and sustainable growth. A fast-paced, values-led environment where collaboration, accountability, and excellence sit at the heart of everything we do. An organisation offering real career development and influence, empowering leaders to make a visible impact across site and group operations.
Lead the development and delivery of a group-wide Operations Excellence strategy, embedding Lean, TPM and continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing sites. Oversee operational performance metrics, driving data integrity, analysis and insight to enable fact-based decision making and performance improvement. Champion a zero-loss and continuous improvement culture through capability building, structured problem-solving, and leadership engagement. Partner cross-functionally to align operational excellence initiatives with broader business and industrial plans, ensuring measurable productivity, quality and cost optimisation outcomes.
What We're Looking For:
- Proven track record driving operational excellence and continuous improvement across multi-site manufacturing environments.
- Strong analytical capability with experience leading KPI development, performance dashboards and root cause analysis.
- Demonstrated success embedding Lean, TPM or OPEX methodologies to deliver measurable business improvements.
- Skilled in influencing and engaging senior stakeholders to drive change and cultural transformation.
- Experienced in building capability and coaching teams to adopt structured problem-solving and daily management routines.
Why join? Be part of a business driving sustainability.
Head of Operational Excellence employer: Seven Search & Selection
Contact Detail:
Seven Search & Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operational Excellence
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their operational excellence strategies and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and continuous improvement in past roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your answers clear and impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operational Excellence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Operational Excellence role. Highlight your achievements in operational excellence, Lean methodologies, and any relevant metrics you've driven in previous roles.
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 makes you the perfect fit for our team. Be sure to mention specific examples of how you've driven change in past positions.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical capabilities, make sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive decision-making and performance improvements. We love seeing how you've developed KPIs or performance dashboards in your previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Seven Search & Selection
✨Know Your Operational Excellence
Make sure you brush up on Lean, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully implemented these strategies in previous roles, as this will show your potential employer that you can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with KPI development and performance dashboards. Bring examples of how you've used data analysis to drive decision-making and improve operational performance, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think of specific instances where you've influenced senior stakeholders to embrace change. Highlight your communication skills and how you've built relationships across teams to align operational excellence initiatives with broader business goals.
✨Demonstrate Coaching Experience
Be ready to share your experiences in building capability within teams. Discuss how you've coached others in structured problem-solving and daily management routines, as this aligns perfectly with the company's focus on empowering leaders.