Colas Ltd
VIE Manufacturing Performance & Operational Excellence Analyst
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Role Summary
Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing, the VIE Manufacturing Performance & Operational Excellence Analyst will support the UK Products and Manufacturing function in driving operational excellence, performance improvement, digital transformation, and data-driven decision-making across the manufacturing network.
Working closely with site managers, production teams, technical teams, and business leaders, the role will focus on developing manufacturing performance systems, operational dashboards, KPI frameworks, and improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, product cost control, and manufacturing capability.
The graduate will play a key role in creating visibility of operational performance across multiple manufacturing sites, helping establish a culture of continuous improvement through robust data analysis, process optimization, and performance management.
The role provides significant exposure to manufacturing operations, engineering projects, digital innovation, and strategic business improvement, supporting Colas' ambition to develop a high-performing, data-driven manufacturing organization.
KEY OBJECTIVES
- Develop and maintain manufacturing performance dashboards across all UK products manufacturing sites.
- Improve visibility of production, cost, efficiency, and operational performance metrics.
- Support the implementation of operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Analyse manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for optimization.
- Develop KPI frameworks that drive accountability and operational performance.
- Support manufacturing capital investment and redevelopment projects.
- Improve understanding of product cost structures and manufacturing economics.
- Assist in the development of digital tools and systems for manufacturing operations.
- Support the rollout and implementation of the Manufacturing 6S Programme.
- Contribute to sustainability initiatives including energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects.
Principle Responsibilities And Accountabilities
Manufacturing Performance & Analytics
- Develop interactive manufacturing dashboards using Power BI and Microsoft Power Platform tools.
- Collect, validate, and analyse manufacturing data from production facilities across the UK.
- Monitor production volumes, efficiencies, costs, yields, downtime, and operational KPIs.
- Produce weekly and monthly performance reports highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Support the development of standardised reporting methodologies across manufacturing operations.
- Conduct root cause analysis of operational performance issues and identify improvement opportunities.
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Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Support process mapping and manufacturing optimisation studies across production sites.
- Assist with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
- Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend improvement opportunities.
- Support implementation of standard operating procedures and best practices.
- Assist with benchmarking activities and industry best practice reviews.
- Support operational reviews and performance improvement workshops.
Manufacturing Cost & Product Performance Analysis
- Develop a detailed understanding of manufacturing cost structures.
- Analyse raw material usage, production costs, yields, and process efficiencies.
- Support the development of product profitability and manufacturing cost models.
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction and manufacturing efficiency improvements.
- Assist in establishing meaningful KPIs for production performance and cost management.
- Support operational budgeting and forecasting activities through data analysis.
Digital Systems & Manufacturing Transformation
- Support development of digital manufacturing tools and operational reporting systems.
- Assist in creating a manufacturing raw material planning and ordering system.
- Develop automated reporting and performance management tools.
- Improve data quality, governance, and accessibility across manufacturing operations.
- Support implementation of future manufacturing software and technology platforms.
- Act as a key link between operational teams and digital transformation initiatives.
Engineering Projects & Manufacturing Development
- Support manufacturing redevelopment projects including Warrington and other site improvement initiatives.
- Research emerging manufacturing technologies and industry best practices.
- Assist with engineering feasibility studies and business case development.
- Support project planning, implementation, and performance tracking.
- Contribute to commissioning and operational performance reviews of new equipment and facilities.
- Support operational readiness activities associated with capital projects.
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Sustainability & Energy Performance
- Support manufacturing energy assessments and consumption monitoring.
- Analyse fuel, electricity, and process energy usage.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational sustainability.
- Assist with carbon reduction initiatives and environmental reporting.
- Support development of manufacturing sustainability KPIs.
Qualifications
- Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Data Analytics, or a related discipline.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes and industrial operations.
- Experience using Microsoft Excel and data visualisation tools.
- Power BI experience desirable.
- Understanding of Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement methodologies advantageous.
- Awareness of digital technologies used in manufacturing environments.
- Strong Microsoft 365 skills.
Experience
- Experience (academic, placement, or internship) in manufacturing, engineering, industrial operations, or data analytics.
- Experience analysing and interpreting operational data.
- Experience developing dashboards, reports, or performance metrics.
- Understanding of manufacturing KPIs and operational performance measurement.
- Exposure to process improvement or continuous improvement projects.
- Ability to communicate technical information to operational and non-technical stakeholders.
- Interest in manufacturing excellence, operational performance, and industrial digitalisation.
PROJECT DELIVERABLES
By the end of the assignment, the graduate would be expected to have delivered:
- UK Manufacturing Performance Dashboard.
- Standard Manufacturing KPI Framework.
- Product Cost Analysis Model.
- Manufacturing Raw Material Planning & Ordering Tool.
- Manufacturing Performance Reporting Suite.
- Manufacturing Process Mapping Study.
- Energy Consumption & Sustainability Dashboard.
- Continuous Improvement Opportunity Register.
- Manufacturing Best Practice Benchmarking Report.
- Support package for Warrington redevelopment programme.
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