Operational Excellence Manager

RBW Consulting; Frodsham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

RBW Consulting is seeking an Operational Excellence Manager to join a growing, customer-focused manufacturing group operating across pharmaceutical, healthcare and nutraceutical sectors in the UK. You will lead continuous improvement efforts, champion Lean across the site and work with operations, engineering, planning and quality teams to drive measurable performance gains and sustainable change.

This role offers significant opportunity to shape improvement roadmaps and contribute to a

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a medium to large FMCG manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of delivering operational improvement and continuous improvement programmes.
• Experience driving improvements in efficiency, productivity, cost, quality or service.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and change management skills.
• Lean tools and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Lean Yellow Belt certification; Green Belt or higher is advantageous.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn data into actionable improvement initiatives.
• Hands-on, pragmatic approach to continuous improvement.
• GMP-regulated manufacturing experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational excellence and continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation.
• Drive efficiency, productivity and process improvements site-wide.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste and enhance service delivery.
• Champion Lean methodologies across functions.
• Deliver sustainable improvements through data analysis and problem solving.
• Support leadership in improvement roadmaps aligned to business objectives.
• Collaborate with operations, supply chain, engineering, planning and quality teams.
• Influence stakeholders at all levels to implement new processes.
• Benchmark internal and external best practice and bring new ideas.
• Support development of a high-performance culture focused on operational excellence.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Analytical skills

Influence across functions

Data-driven decisions

Problem solving

Education

Lean Yellow Belt certification

Tools

Lean tools

Structured problem solving

Job description

Operational Excellence Manager

An excellent opportunity for an Operational Excellence professional to join a growing and transforming, customer focused manufacturing organisation operating across pharmaceutical, healthcare and nutritional product sectors.

This business has experienced significant growth in recent years and continues to invest heavily in its manufacturing operations. As a key site within a larger international group, the operation is focused on delivering exceptional customer service, operational performance and sustainable growth in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

This newly created role offers the opportunity to drive meaningful change, improve operational effectiveness and embed a culture of continuous improvement across the site. Working closely with leaders across the business, you will identify opportunities, challenge existing processes and implement initiatives that deliver measurable business impact.

The Opportunity

• Lead operational excellence and continuous improvement activities across the manufacturing operation.
• Drive efficiency, productivity and process improvement initiatives throughout the site.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve performance and enhance service delivery.
• Champion Lean methodologies and continuous improvement principles across all functions.
• Deliver sustainable improvements through data analysis, problem solving and process optimisation.
• Support site leadership in developing and implementing improvement roadmaps aligned to business objectives.
• Work collaboratively across operations, supply chain, engineering, planning and quality teams to deliver change.
• Influence stakeholders at all levels to successfully implement new processes and ways of working.
• Benchmark internal and external best practice, bringing new ideas and successful approaches into the business.
• Support the ongoing development of a high-performance culture focused on operational excellence and continuous learning.

About You

We are looking for a proactive and influential Operational Excellence professional who thrives in manufacturing environments and enjoys driving change through collaboration and engagement.

• A minimum of 5 years' experience within a medium to large FMCG manufacturing environment.
• A proven track record of delivering operational improvement, Lean or continuous improvement programmes.
• Experience driving measurable improvements in efficiency, productivity, cost, quality or service performance.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and change management skills.
• The ability to influence, challenge and build credibility across multiple functions and leadership levels.
• Experience using Lean tools and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Lean Yellow Belt certification as a minimum, with Green Belt or higher considered advantageous.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn data into actionable improvement initiatives.
• A hands-on, pragmatic approach with a passion for continuous improvement and operational performance.
• Experience within GMP-regulated manufacturing environments would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why Consider This Role?

This is a unique opportunity to join a business that is actively investing in growth, transformation and operational excellence. You'll have the autonomy to shape improvement activities, influence site performance and make a visible impact within a strategically important manufacturing operation.

For an individual who enjoys identifying opportunities, implementing change and delivering tangible business improvements, this role offers significant exposure, ownership and long-term career potential.

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