Head of Operational Excellence

Abbott; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Defined contribution pension scheme

Life assurance

Flexible benefits scheme

Commitment to diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Abbott is seeking a Head of Operational Excellence to lead transformation across Healthcare Services from Maidenhead and Sittingbourne. You will drive continuous improvement, optimise forecasting, inventory and service delivery, and coach teams to achieve top performance.

The role requires strong stakeholder management and supply chain expertise within a healthcare context. The position offers leadership across customer service and digital health initiatives, with a focus on resilience,

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading operational excellence and business transformation programmes.
• Proven success with Lean, Six Sigma, or similar frameworks.
• Strong background in supply chain, customer services, inventory management, demand planning, or healthcare operations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience working with SAP, CRM platforms, and digital transformation projects.
• A-level standard education (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver operational excellence initiatives across Healthcare Services.
• Drive continuous improvement programmes to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance, and Operations to improve forecasting, inventory, and service delivery.
• Lead Customer Service and Digital Health Solutions teams to ensure outstanding customer experiences.
• Develop and implement strategies for business continuity, service resilience, and customer satisfaction.
• Champion digital transformation initiatives leveraging automation, AI, and technology.
• Monitor key metrics like service levels, customer satisfaction, and cost optimisation.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement and develop teams as advocates for excellence.
• Act as a key customer-facing leader ensuring contractual requirements are met.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Stakeholder management

Communication

Project management

Problem solving

Supply chain operations

Healthcare operations

Education

A-level standard education including English and Mathematics

Tools

SAP

CRM platforms

Digital transformation projects

Job description

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Operational Excellence to join our Abbott.

This position works out of our Maidenhead and Sittingbourne locations in the Nutrition division.

Our nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow, to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, – to help get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest life.

The Opportunity

What You’ll Do

• Lead and deliver operational excellence initiatives across Healthcare Services.
• Drive continuous improvement programmes, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, eliminate waste, and optimise performance.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance, and Operations teams to improve forecasting, inventory management, demand planning, and service delivery.
• Lead Customer Service and Digital Health Solutions teams, ensuring outstanding customer experiences and operational performance.
• Develop and implement strategies that support business continuity, service resilience, and customer satisfaction.
• Champion digital transformation initiatives, leveraging automation, AI, and technology to improve processes and service delivery.
• Monitor and improve key operational metrics including service levels, customer satisfaction, inventory performance, and cost optimisation.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement, coaching and developing teams to become advocates for operational excellence.
• Act as a key customer-facing leader, ensuring services consistently meet customer and contractual requirements.
• Own and manage the Healthcare Services Business Continuity Plan and ISO22301 standards.

Who We're Looking For

Essential

• Significant experience leading operational excellence and business transformation programmes.
• Proven success in continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or similar frameworks.
• Strong background in supply chain operations, customer services, inventory management, demand planning, or healthcare operations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience working with SAP, CRM platforms, and digital transformation projects.
• A-level standard education (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics.

Desirable

• Experience within healthcare, medical nutrition, pharmaceutical, FMCG, or regulated healthcare environments.
• Knowledge of digital health solutions and healthcare service delivery models.
• Experience implementing automation and AI-led operational improvements.

What Abbott Offers

• Work for a global healthcare leader improving lives worldwide.
• Lead impactful transformation projects that directly influence patient and customer outcomes.
• Develop your career within an organisation committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with talented teams across healthcare, operations, supply chain, and digital innovation.
• Be part of a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and professional growth.

What We Offer

As you’d expect from a global healthcare company, we offer a fantastic range of benefits including competitive salaries, a superb defined contribution pension scheme, private healthcare, life assurance and a flexible benefits scheme.

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.