Operational Excellence Lead

Theo James Recruitment; Billingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturer in FMCG is looking for an Operational Excellence Lead to drive a culture of continuous improvement at the Teesside site. This person will lead initiatives to enhance efficiency, performance, and quality through structured methodologies. Ideal candidates will have experience in manufacturing or FMCG, with strong leadership abilities and a success record in operational transformation.

Benefits

£7,500 car allowance

Enhanced pension contributions (7%)

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Proven background in manufacturing or FMCG, leading large teams.
• Strong understanding of Lean, Six Sigma or similar methodologies.
• Track record of delivering sustainable performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Operational Excellence roadmap to meet performance objectives.
• Drive structured continuous improvement through data-driven problem-solving.
• Coach and mentor leaders to develop improvement capability.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Lean methodologies

Six Sigma

Analytical skills

Leadership abilities

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Operational Excellence Lead

Location: Teesside

Salary: Highly Competitive + Car Allowance

Benefits

• £7,500 car allowance
• Enhanced pension contributions (7%)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5

The Company

We are a leading manufacturer within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, proud to produce some of the nation's favourite products enjoyed by millions every day. Our Teesside site is a key part of the business, recognised for its focus on operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

With a strong commitment to developing people and driving performance, we're building a workplace where everyone can grow, contribute, and make a real impact.

The Role

We're looking for an Operational Excellence Lead to champion and embed a culture of continuous improvement across our Teesside site. This is a high-impact role where you'll lead the deployment of our structured improvement framework, driving efficiency, capability, and cultural transformation. You'll coach leaders, empower teams, and deliver measurable improvements in performance, quality, and reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the site's Operational Excellence roadmap, ensuring delivery against key performance and business objectives.
• Drive the implementation of structured continuous improvement methodologies through data-driven problem-solving and loss elimination.
• Coach and mentor site leaders and frontline teams to develop improvement capability and ownership at every level.
• Foster engagement and accountability across the workforce through effective communication and cultural development.
• Identify and deliver site improvement plans focused on efficiency, waste reduction, and asset reliability.
• Partner with functional and leadership teams to embed best practices and share learnings across the wider network.
• Monitor performance metrics and use insights to prioritise and guide improvement initiatives.

Skills & Experience

• Proven background in manufacturing or FMCG, with experience leading large, cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• A track record of delivering sustainable performance improvements and operational transformation.
• Ability to influence, engage, and challenge constructively at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a strategic and forward-thinking mindset.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities, with a passion for developing people and teams.

Why Join Us?

This role has been created due to internal progression — a clear reflection of our commitment to developing and promoting talent from within. You'll be joining a site that values collaboration, innovation, and empowerment, where ideas are encouraged and people are supported to reach their full potential. We're proud of our values-led culture — one that champions teamwork, continuous learning, and personal growth. Alongside a competitive salary and benefits package, you'll have the opportunity to shape how we work, drive meaningful change, and contribute to the continued success of a dynamic and growing manufacturing business