Graduate Operational Excellence Analyst

Day Lewis Pharmacy; Croydon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Day Lewis Pharmacy is seeking a Graduate Operational Excellence Analyst to work with the Operational Excellence Manager in Croydon. The role involves planning and delivering pharmacy services and central projects across the business, with regular visits to pharmacies.

The position offers broad exposure to operations, data, communications and stakeholder management, starting with rapid development under mentoring guidance. Open to graduates from any discipline with a proactive mindset.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate with strong academic record.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills; able to interpret data and present insights.
• Comfortable using AI tools daily; capable of drafting prompts and evaluating outputs.
• Highly organised with attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple tasks.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Excel/Word/PowerPoint/Outlook/Teams) and quick to learn new systems.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate delivery of pharmacy services and central projects; track workstreams, milestones and owners.
• Analyse operational data (uptake, KPIs, compliance) and translate into practical recommendations.
• Draft clear communications for branches; prepare packs and updates for senior leadership.
• Visit pharmacies regularly to observe service delivery and bring back insights for improvement.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Numerical skills

Organisational skills

Proactive and ownership

Education

STEM/Business/Economics/Analytics degree

Tools

Power BI

SharePoint

Job description

Job title Graduate Operational Excellence Analyst

Team Operations | Support Office

Reports to Operational Excellence Manager (Eddie Mitchell)

Location Croydon Support Office, with regular pharmacy visits

Contract Permanent, full-time

Salary £28,000 - £30,000

About The Role

Day Lewis is one of the UK's leading independent pharmacy groups, with 225+ pharmacies, multiple warehouses and a growing NHS and private services portfolio.

We are looking for a bright, organised and adaptable graduate to work directly alongside our Operational Excellence Manager on the planning and delivery of pharmacy services and central projects. It is a broad role that touches many parts of the business including coordinating projects, working with data, drafting communications and helping pharmacies adopt new systems and ways of working.

No two weeks are the same, and you will gain real exposure to operations, healthcare services and stakeholder management from day one.

We welcome applications from graduates of any discipline. What matters most is your attitude, analytical mindset, curiosity and willingness to get stuck in.

Key Responsibilities

Projects and services support

• Help plan and coordinate delivery of pharmacy services and central projects, tracking workstreams, milestones, deadlines and owners.
• Maintain project plans and action trackers, chasing actions to keep delivery on schedule.
• Monitor progress across the pharmacy estate, flagging risks, blockers and areas needing support or escalation.

Data and analysis

• Bring information together from multiple sources into clear, accurate summaries that help managers make faster, better decisions.
• Analyse operational data (service uptake, KPIs, compliance, activity) and turn findings into simple, practical recommendations.
• Use AI tools to work efficiently and improve the quality of your output.

Communications and field engagement

• Draft clear communications for branches and turn complex guidance into simple instructions.
• Prepare presentation packs, one-pagers and executive updates for senior leadership.
• Visit pharmacies regularly to see how services land on the front line and bring back insight to shape improvement.

What You Will Gain

Broad exposure

Projects, data, comms and operations from day one, no two weeks the same. Real responsibility

Own workstreams and help shape how services are delivered across 235+ pharmacies.

Fast development

Direct mentoring from an experienced manager with visibility across leadership.

Essential

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• A recent graduate with a strong academic record.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, able to interpret data and turn it into clear business insight.
• Comfortable using AI tools day-to-day, with the ability to write good prompts and critically evaluate the output.
• Highly organiser, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and quick to pick up new systems.
• A clear, accurate writer who can explain complex information simply.
• Proactive and positive; comfortable taking ownership, asking questions and following things through.
• A team player who builds good relationships at all levels, and willing to travel regularly to pharmacy locations.

Desirable

• A STEM, Business, Economics or Analytics degree, or clear evidence of a strong analytical skillset.
• Placement year, internship or early-career experience in project coordination, analysis or operations.
• Experience with Power BI, SharePoint or other reporting and workflow tools.
• An interest in the pharmacy, healthcare or NHS sector.

Day Lewis has a working-from-home policy; however, due to the nature of this role, you will be expected to work from our Croydon office every day for the first six months, with regular visits to our pharmacies.