Operational Excellence Manager

Schwarz Produktion; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days leave

Healthcare cash plan

Life assurance

Pension scheme

Employee assistance

Savings & discounts

Job summary

Schwarz Produktion in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Operational Excellence Coach to embed lean tools and a sustainable OPEX philosophy across the plant. You will train staff, support strategic planning, and drive cross-functional continuous improvement projects.

With a Bachelor's degree and 2–5 years in production, you will lead Kaizen, DMAIC, and value-stream mapping, analyse data, and report progress to management. Occasional European travel is expected.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of production environment experience.
• Expertise in Lean and OPEX methodologies, including Kaizen, DMAIC, value stream mapping, and target resolution processes.
• Highly structured, self-motivated, and analytical approach to solving complex operational challenges.
• Inspiring team player with excellent communication skills.
• Google Workspace proficiency alongside the ability to interpret operational KPIs and production data.
• Willingness to undertake occasional European travel.

Responsibilities

• Coach employees on operational excellence tools while establishing a sustainable OPEX philosophy in line with central standards.
• Support plant leadership in strategic planning and goal-setting processes to align operational targets.
• Deliver OPEX training courses to implement site-specific lean tools such as 5S, SMED, and Six Sigma.
• Analyse data from operational systems and on-site documentation to prepare targeted workshops and optimisation projects.
• Formulate and design comprehensive training materials and presentation content for OPEX programmes.
• Lead operational excellence initiatives across departments while identifying key areas for continuous process improvement.
• Provide regular progress reports and status updates to both plant management and central divisions.
• Lead the deployment of continuous improvement strategies across the plant, working with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, reduce waste, and enhance quality.

Skills

Lean & OPEX

Kaizen

DMAIC

Value stream mapping

KPI analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Job description

• Coach employees on operational excellence tools while establishing a sustainable OPEX philosophy in line with central standards.
• Support plant leadership in strategic planning and goal-setting processes to align operational targets.
• Deliver OPEX training courses to implement site-specific lean tools such as 5S, SMED, and Six Sigma.
• Analyse data from operational systems and on-site documentation to prepare targeted workshops and optimisation projects.
• Formulate and design comprehensive training materials and presentation content for OPEX programmes.
• Lead operational excellence initiatives across departments while identifying key areas for continuous process improvement.
• Provide regular progress reports and status updates to both plant management and central divisions.
• Lead the deployment of continuous improvement strategies across the plant. Working with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, reduce operational waste, enhance product or service quality, and foster a problem-solving culture.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent role experience) coupled with 2–5 years of production environment experience.
• Expertise in Lean and OPEX methodologies, including Kaizen, DMAIC, value stream mapping, and target resolution processes.
• Highly structured, self-motivated, and analytical approach to solving complex operational challenges.
• Inspiring team player with excellent communication skills.
• Google Workspace proficiency alongside the ability to interpret operational KPIs and production data.
• Willingness to undertake occasional European travel.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Coach employees on operational excellence tools while establishing a sustainable OPEX philosophy in line with central standards.
• Support plant leadership in strategic planning and goal-setting processes to align operational targets.
• Deliver OPEX training courses to implement site-specific lean tools such as 5S, SMED, and Six Sigma.
• Analyse data from operational systems and on-site documentation to prepare targeted workshops and optimisation projects.
• Formulate and design comprehensive training materials and presentation content for OPEX programmes.
• Lead operational excellence initiatives across departments while identifying key areas for continuous process improvement.
• Provide regular progress reports and status updates to both plant management and central divisions.
• Lead the deployment of continuous improvement strategies across the plant. Working with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, reduce operational waste, enhance product or service quality, and foster a problem-solving culture.

Profile description

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent role experience) coupled with 2–5 years of production environment experience.
• Expertise in Lean and OPEX methodologies, including Kaizen, DMAIC, value stream mapping, and target resolution processes.
• Highly structured, self-motivated, and analytical approach to solving complex operational challenges.
• Inspiring team player with excellent communication skills.
• Google Workspace proficiency alongside the ability to interpret operational KPIs and production data.
• Willingness to undertake occasional European travel.

OUR OFFER

• 33 days annual leave per year inclusive of Bank Holidays
• Healthcare Cash Plan after qualifying period
• Life Assurance Cover of 3 times basic salary
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programs with access to savings & discounts
• 24/7 helpline and much more
• Contract type: Permanent
• Start Date: 1 October 2026
• Working time: 37.5 hours per week
• Salary: Competitive, depending on experience