AQA
Productivity Lead - Operational Processes, Logistics and Supplier Management
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At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
Productivity Lead – Operational processes, Logistics and Supplier Management
Permanent
Guildford or Milton Keynes: £55,000 - £61,400
Manchester: £52,800 to £59,000
Hybrid working – a minimum of 2 days per week in the office
Help improve how vital assessment materials move through AQA, from supplier workflows to operational delivery.
This is an opportunity to make a measurable difference in a role where quality, productivity and efficiency all matter. As a Productivity Lead, you’ll identify better ways of working across operational processes, supplier activity and end-to-end workflows, helping teams deliver improvements that are practical, sustainable and clearly evidenced.
You’ll work closely with operational teams, senior leaders and third-party suppliers to understand where time, effort and cost can be reduced without compromising quality. Your work will support AQA’s wider goals by improving how we deliver for learners, schools and colleges.
We are looking for four people:
- Productivity Lead - Materials and Logistics team – you could be based in either the Manchester, Guildford or Milton Keynes office (one role)
- Productivity Lead - Assessment Management or Delivery teams – you could be based in either the Manchester or Guildford office (three roles)
What’s in it for you?
- You’ll have the chance to shape how operational work is delivered, while building experience across improvement, supplier management, data analysis and change.
- A role where your work can directly improve quality, efficiency and service delivery.
- The opportunity to work across teams and influence senior stakeholders.
- A 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working.
- 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30, plus Christmas closure days.
- A benefits package including a pension which could see a combined contribution of up to 18.5%, BUPA healthcare support, wellbeing programmes and volunteering opportunities.
- Being part of AQA’s inclusive and values-led culture, with the opportunity to join a variety of employee networks, including LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, empowering women, wellbeing, ethnic diversity and Interfaith.
- A wide range of wellbeing benefits and support.
In this role, you'll be responsible for:
- Leading multiple productivity, quality and efficiency initiatives
- Identifying opportunities to improve workflows across operations, logistics, scanning and creation of assessment materials and related activities as well as our supplier processes.
- Using data, productivity measures and time-and-motion studies to understand current performance and recommend improvements.
- Working with teams and suppliers to design, test and embed practical solutions.
- Setting baselines, tracking benefits and reporting clearly on progress, outcomes and lessons learned.
- Supporting better resource planning by reviewing task allocation, workforce use and cost drivers.
- Building trust with stakeholders and helping teams understand the purpose and value of change.
Please note, we are also recruiting for Productivity Leads whose focus is Operational Processes, Data and Technology.
You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
- Experience improving productivity, workflow or process performance in logistics, operations or supply chain environments.
- Experience working with, or managing, third-party suppliers and service providers.
- The ability to analyse data, identify patterns and turn insight into clear action.
- Experience using project and change management approaches to plan, coordinate and deliver improvements.
- A curious, hands-on mindset with the confidence to challenge existing ways of working constructively.
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You’ll enjoy this role if you like solving practical operational problems, working with different teams and using evidence to make work easier, faster and more effective.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation or background, is valued, respected and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
What’s Next?
To apply, please upload your most recent CV with a cover letter
Applications close at 23:59 on Monday 10 August.
The recruitment process is expected to include a first-stage video interview in the week beginning 31 August, followed by a face-to-face interview with a presentation and values and experience based questions from the week beginning 14th September.
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Recruitment Agencies
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.
Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.
Full Job Description
Summary
Purpose:
The Productivity Lead is responsible for driving a culture of future-focused quality, productivity and efficiency initiatives by identifying, designing, and leading operational teams to deliver initiatives that enhance productivity, efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness across the department. This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on leadership to streamline operational processes, optimise resource utilisation, and deliver measurable benefits aligned with departmental goals and future change initiatives requirements. The position requires curiosity and analytical insight to uncover improvement opportunities, the ability to lead functional and cross-functional teams through change, and expertise in documenting and evidencing the impact of initiatives to demonstrate value and return on investment.
Landscape:
Reporting to the Head of Department, this role drives the delivery of high-impact priorities that enhance quality and efficiency across the team. As a key leader, you will guide departmental teams to define, implement, and measure outcomes that directly support departmental objectives and align with EDD’s strategic goals. This position is pivotal in shaping operational excellence and fostering a culture of quality & productivity improvement.
Activities:
Productivity & Process Enhancement
- Lead Improvement Initiatives: Drive multiple quality, productivity, and efficiency projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives and the EDD strategic goals.
- Opportunity Identification: Proactively identify and scope opportunities for process optimisation, cost reduction, and quality improvement in collaboration with senior leadership.
- Solution Development & Implementation: Work with the teams to design and implement practical solutions that deliver measurable outcomes, ensuring sustainability and scalability.
- Performance Measurement & Reporting: Establish baselines, define KPIs, and measure progress for all initiatives. Produce clear reports on results, benefits achieved, and areas for further improvement.
- Productivity Analysis: Define and monitor productivity rates for all tasks, including conducting time-and-motion studies to identify inefficiencies.
- Documentation & Governance: Maintain accurate records of process changes, outcomes, and lessons learned to support compliance and future decision-making.
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Resource Utilisation & Cost Management
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Use analytics to evaluate resource usage and cost trends, enabling informed decisions and risk mitigation.
- Workforce Utilisation: With direction from the Head of Department optimise workforce allocation and improve utilisation rates across permanent and temporary staff.
- Budget control: Provide accurate budgeting by validating resource requirements and challenging assumptions to ensure cost-effectiveness.
- Task Allocation Clarity: Ensure transparency on task distribution, productivity expectations, and time requirements for all staff, including temporary workers.
Future Change Initiatives
- Change Request Management: Act as the central point for triaging and prioritising future change requests within the department.
- Technology Adoption: Support teams in testing, implementing, and embedding new technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with subject matter experts and escalate issues promptly to ensure successful delivery of change initiatives.
- Process Reviews: Lead departmental and end-to-end process reviews to identify further opportunities for productivity gains and operational improvements.
Key Objectives
- Deliver measurable quality & productivity improvements across departmental processes.
- Align quality & productivity initiatives with departmental and organisational goals.
- Ensure benefits are tracked, reported, and sustained over time.
To be successful in this role, you will need to know how to:
- Future-Focused Productivity and Efficiency Initiatives mindset with curiosity to identify and explore opportunities for process optimisation.
- Proven ability to lead functional teams in designing, developing, and implementing process changes.
- Skilled in documenting, tracking, and evidencing benefits of productivity initiatives to demonstrate value and ROI.
- Competence in change management practices to ensure successful adoption of new processes.
- Strong capability in translating insights into actionable strategies for operational excellence.
Success Measures
- Initiatives Delivered: Minimum of 3 active initiatives at all times, with at least 2 completed per quarter.
- Quality improvements: Achieve X% improvement in Quality metrics (to be defined per department initiative).
- Productivity Gains: Achieve X% improvement in task productivity rates (to be defined per department initiative).
- Cost Savings: Deliver measurable cost reductions (as defined in each initiative) through improved resource utilisation and process efficiency.
- Time & Motion Studies: Complete baseline productivity analysis for 100% of key tasks within the first 6 months.
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