Blakeney Point Search & Selection
Operational Excellence Specialist
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We're recruiting an experienced Operational Excellence Specialist to join a leading UK food manufacturing business. This is a highly visible role working across multiple manufacturing sites, partnering with senior operational leaders to improve performance, reduce waste and deliver sustainable business improvements.
This is an opportunity to influence change at scale, working within a business committed to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
The Role
Working as part of the Operational Excellence function, you will support manufacturing sites in identifying opportunities, implementing best practice and delivering measurable improvements across safety, quality, cost, delivery, and people performance.
You'll work closely with Site Leadership Teams to embed continuous improvement methodologies, coach operational teams, and ensure improvements become part of everyday operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive Operational Excellence initiatives across multiple manufacturing sites.
- Analyse operational performance using KPIs to identify improvement opportunities.
- Develop and manage performance improvement plans to close operational gaps.
- Coach and support site leadership teams in continuous improvement methodologies.
- Lead the implementation and sustainability of Operational Excellence tools and processes.
- Identify labour optimisation opportunities through data analysis and operational review.
- Benchmark internal and external best practice to improve business performance.
- Manage improvement projects from concept through implementation, ensuring agreed benefits are delivered.
- Build strong relationships with Operations, Engineering, Technical, Finance, and Procurement teams.
- Promote a culture of accountability, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
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About You
You'll be someone who enjoys challenging the status quo and influencing positive change through collaboration rather than authority.
You'll ideally have:
- Experience within food manufacturing or FMCG.
- A proven background in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, or Manufacturing Excellence.
- Strong Lean Manufacturing knowledge with practical application.
- Experience coaching operational leaders and embedding sustainable improvements.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- The ability to manage multiple projects across several manufacturing locations.
- A data-driven approach to improving operational performance.
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Desirable
- Lean or Six Sigma qualification.
- Experience within high-volume manufacturing.
- Knowledge of labour planning, performance management, or productivity improvement.
- Multi-site operational experience.
What's on Offer?
- Opportunity to influence operational performance across a large manufacturing operation.
- High-profile role with exposure to senior leadership.
- A business committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Competitive salary, bonus, and benefits package.
- Genuine opportunity for career development and progression.
If you're an experienced Continuous Improvement or Operational Excellence professional looking to make a significant impact within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.
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