Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation towards operational excellence and improve efficiency across the business.
- Company: Join the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and additional benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving sustainable improvements and enhancing customer value.
- Qualifications: Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, and leading teams towards operational excellence.
- Other info: Field-based role with opportunities for coaching and development.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
£65,000 to £75,000 per annum plus £5,688 per annum car allowance, bonus and benefits. Field based - visiting SN operations across England and Wales.
Our reputation as the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler speaks for itself. Every day, we serve more than 22,000 customers from 34 distribution centres across the country. Behind every nightly miracle is a team of dedicated people carrying out more roles than you realise – we’re the unseen force that delivers.
The Head of Operational Excellence for Smiths News is accountable for designing and driving the OE architecture and methodology across the business, leading the transformational journey towards sustainable operational excellence. The outputs are to improve efficiency, remove waste, increase capacity and value to our customers.
Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Change and leading all central OE resources and activities whilst coaching and advising all leaders across the business in the adoption of OE principles, tools, skills, methods and approaches to driving consistency and sustainable operational improvement.
Bringing new resources, materials, thinking and approaches to SN to help with the OE objectives supported by coaching and development to drive the OE capability across the business.
About the role:
- Driving the OE principles, focusing on the initial prioritised 6 (Committed Leadership, Right First Time, Standardisation, Visual Management, Go, See, Do).
- Certification in Lean, 6 Sigma, CI preferred.
- Experience of leading and inspiring and knowledge.
Head Of Operation Excellence in Swindon employer: Smiths News
Contact Detail:
Smiths News Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Operation Excellence in Swindon
✨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 operational excellence initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see you shine, so practice common interview questions and have your own ready to ask!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your past experiences, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive efficiency and improve processes. Numbers speak volumes, so bring those metrics into the conversation!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Operation Excellence in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Operational Excellence role. Highlight your experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and any relevant operational excellence methodologies. We want to see how your skills align with our goals!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about operational excellence and how you can contribute to our mission at Smiths News. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to inspire and coach others. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. We’re looking for someone who can drive change and motivate others!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smiths News
✨Know Your OE Principles
Make sure you’re well-versed in the operational excellence principles mentioned in the job description. Brush up on Committed Leadership, Right First Time, and Standardisation. Being able to discuss these concepts confidently will show that you understand the core of what the role entails.
✨Showcase Your Transformational Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you’ve successfully driven change or improved efficiency. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help demonstrate your capability in leading transformational journeys.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Come prepared with questions that show your interest in the company’s current operational challenges and future goals. Asking about their current OE initiatives or how they measure success can highlight your proactive mindset and genuine interest in the role.
✨Demonstrate Coaching Skills
Since the role involves coaching and advising leaders, be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring others. Share examples of how you’ve developed teams or individuals in the past, and how you plan to foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organisation.
