At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive operational excellence by improving performance and efficiency through data insights and collaboration.
- Company: Join TUI, a leading airline committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy attractive pay, travel perks, health support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and community involvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on operational performance while working with diverse teams globally.
- Qualifications: Experience in airline operations, strong analytical skills, and familiarity with Lean methodologies.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
As Senior Operations Excellence Specialist, you will support the delivery of the Operational Excellence programme across TUI Airline, focusing on improving operational performance, resilience, and efficiency. This role drives continuous improvement through data-led insights, post-event reviews, and cross-functional collaboration. You will act as a key enabler of strategic initiatives, embedding Lean principles, digital innovation, and process optimisation into day-to-day operations and transformation projects, with a particular focus on improving On-Time Performance (OTP) through root cause analysis, delay code reporting, and targeted interventions. You will also lead and support the delivery of strategic workstreams within the Operational Excellence programme, ensuring measurable impact and benefit realisation.
We are happy to consider this role on a hybrid working model basis, with a minimum of 1 day per week onsite at our Luton office. Applications close 12 November 2025.
Personal benefits: Attractive remuneration, discretionary bonus schemes, generous travel benefits, extensive health and well-being support, and more.
Flexible working: Work is something you do, not somewhere you go. We encourage a healthy work-life balance with a dynamic working environment.
A career to shape: Access the TUI Learning Hub to level-up and reach your ambitions.
Broaden your network: We champion intercultural collaboration and provide opportunities to work on global projects and teams.
Community: Get involved with incredible local charity and sustainability initiatives like the TUI Care Foundation.
To drive operational performance: You will develop and maintain dashboards with the TOCC Performance & Analysis team to monitor OTP, delay codes, recovery metrics, and trends to provide actionable insights. You will execute CI projects using Lean tools across TOCC, Ground Ops, Crewing, and Flight Ops to drive efficiency and eliminate waste. Conducting operational debriefs, you will integrate lessons learned into SOPs, training, and resilience planning to enhance future capability and embed operational resilience. You will map, analyse, and improve key operational processes to reduce inefficiencies and support standardised, scalable ways of working. Lead the adoption of predictive analytics to anticipate and mitigate operational and customer disruption and embed data-driven decision making within the TOCC.
To build operational decision support capability, you will develop tools, frameworks, and analytics that support real-time and strategic decision-making across operational teams, enhancing responsiveness and performance. Collaborate with internal stakeholders including TOCC, Engineering, Crewing, and Cabin Crew to ensure alignment and shared ownership of operational excellence initiatives. Work with customer experience and insight teams to gather feedback, identify pain points, and translate customer data into actionable operational enhancements. To support governance, compliance, and our sustainability goals, you will ensure operational excellence initiatives align with safety and regulatory standards (e.g., EASA, UK CAA) and contribute to audit readiness and sustainability objectives.
About you:
- Experience in airline operations and performance management.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with KPI frameworks and Tableau & Microsoft Excel.
- Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or CI methodologies.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects.
- Comfortable with digital tools and automation platforms.
- Effective communicator across all levels.
- Experience in post-event analysis and resilience planning.
- Knowledge of regulatory and safety frameworks (e.g., EASA, UK CAA).
- Experience in training and capability development.
At TUI, we embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging everyone to come as you are, because together, our potential is limitless. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities and impairments, so if you require any support, please do let us know.
Security clearance statement: At TUI, safety is our top priority. We conduct thorough background checks on all employees who join our Airline. Rest assured; we will guide you on the necessary information you need to provide at each stage. Please note that if you are applying for a role in the UK, you must ensure you can provide a full 5 years referencing, plus a criminal record check for all countries you have resided in for more than 6 months in the past 5 years (some costs may apply).
Senior Operations Excellence Specialist in Luton employer: TUI Cruises GmbH
TUI is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering attractive remuneration, flexible working arrangements, and extensive health support. With a strong focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement, employees are empowered to drive meaningful change while collaborating on global projects in a diverse and inclusive environment. The Luton office fosters a dynamic workplace culture, encouraging a healthy work-life balance and community involvement through initiatives like the TUI Care Foundation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Excellence Specialist in Luton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at TUI through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into TUI's Operational Excellence programme. We should be ready to discuss how our skills in Lean principles and data analysis can drive their goals forward.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our analytical skills! Bring examples of how we've used data to improve performance in past roles. This will resonate well with TUI's focus on data-led insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed and shows we’re serious about joining the TUI team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Excellence Specialist in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Operations Excellence Specialist. Highlight your experience in airline operations, performance management, and any relevant Lean or CI methodologies you've used. 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 improving On-Time Performance. Be sure to mention specific examples from your past that demonstrate your analytical skills and cross-functional collaboration.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data-led insights, make sure to highlight your experience with KPI frameworks, Tableau, and Microsoft Excel. We love seeing how you've used data to drive improvements in previous roles, so don’t hold back on those details!
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 keep track of your application and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at TUI Cruises GmbH
✨Know Your Lean Principles
Brush up on your knowledge of Lean methodologies and how they apply to operational excellence. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used these principles in past roles, especially in relation to improving efficiency and performance.
✨Data-Driven Insights are Key
Since this role focuses heavily on data-led insights, prepare to talk about your experience with KPI frameworks and tools like Tableau and Excel. Bring examples of how you've used data to drive decision-making and improve operational performance.
✨Collaboration is Crucial
This position requires cross-functional collaboration, so think of instances where you've successfully worked with different teams. Be prepared to share how you fostered teamwork and alignment on operational initiatives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, particularly around post-event analysis and resilience planning. Prepare to walk through a scenario where you identified a problem, analysed the root cause, and implemented a solution that led to measurable improvements.
