Dawsongroup
Operational Excellence Lead
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Operational Excellence Lead – Continuous Improvement & Transformation
About the Role
Are you an experienced Operational Excellence Lead, Continuous Improvement Lead, Transformation Manager, or Operational Improvement Specialist looking to drive scalable change across a diversified business portfolio?
As our Operational Excellence Lead, you will bridge the gap between strategic transformation and operational delivery, ensuring Dawsongroup translates insights into measurable, sustainable business improvements.
This is a high-visibility group role, reporting to the Chief Transformation Officer and collaborating closely with senior operational leaders across multiple Business Units. Your responsibilities include:
- Leading the end-to-end operational improvement cycle, from data analysis, opportunity identification, through to implementation and delivery.
- Developing, maintaining, and refining KPI frameworks to enhance performance visibility across site, regional, and group levels.
- Using operational data to identify trends, risks, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities.
- Supporting the successful adoption and embedding of transformation initiatives across operational teams.
- Driving measurable improvements in:
- Operational performance
- Asset utilisation
- Process effectiveness
- Commercial outcomes
About You
You are a strategic problem-solver who thrives on turning complex challenges into sustainable solutions. Equally adept with data and people, you can:
- Earn the credibility of senior stakeholders while maintaining a practical, results-driven focus.
- Understand that operational excellence goes beyond metrics—it’s about culture, performance, and value delivery for both customers and colleagues.
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Key Requirements
- Experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, transformation, or related operational roles.
- Strong track record of working with operational data, performance metrics, KPI frameworks, and reporting.
- Ability to influence and engage senior operational leaders across multiple sites and business areas.
- Capability to link operational improvements to financial outcomes and broader business value.
- Exceptional analytical, organisational, and communication skills.
Location & Flexibility
- Comfortable working in a hybrid model (office & site engagement).
- Full UK driving licence advantageous for travel between sites.
"No candidate will tick every box—we prioritise potential, capability, and mindset."
About Dawsongroup
A leading European asset rental, leasing, and contract hire business, Dawsongroup delivers resilience and agility to organisations through smarter asset strategies.
Our Strengths
- Over 90-year heritage as a family business, now under KKR ownership, with ongoing investment in people, customers, and future growth.
- Vision to be the trusted supply chain partner for resilience and flexibility in asset utilisation.
- Diverse customer base served by innovation, operational excellence, and long-term partnerships.
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Why Work Here?
- 50+ years of rental sector expertise.
- Culture built on integrity, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Significant investment in transformation, technology, and operational performance.
- Internal progression opportunities in the UK and internationally.
- Commitment to fulfilling, safe, and rewarding careers.
Benefits
- 25 days total leave (24 standard + birthday + bank holidays + up to 10 extra pro-rata).
- 2× Life Assurance Scheme.
- Fully funded training and development.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Wellbeing and mental health support.
- Long-term incentives and clear internal progression pathways.
About Your Future
This role offers impactful, leadership-focused responsibility, directly influencing operational transformation and business value across the group.
Key Growth Opportunities
- Shape group-wide transformation and operational improvement initiatives.
- Build senior stakeholder relationships across multiple locations.
- Develop broad exposure to operational performance, commercial optimisation, asset utilisation, and business strategy.
- Help establish a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Join a business committed to delivering operational excellence, empowering people, and driving sustainable growth.
Dawsongroup is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences. If you’re ready to make a lasting difference, we’d love to hear from you.
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