Operational Excellence Manager

Greencore; Holbeach CP; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company share save scheme

Competitive matched pension

Life insurance up to 4x salary

Greencore Qualifications

Exclusive Greencore employee discount

Job summary

Greencore Holbeach is seeking an Operational Excellence Manager to lead Lean initiatives and embed the Greencore Operating System across the site in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

You will drive measurable value, empower teams, and manage Kaizen events while aligning improvements with manufacturing strategy and KPIs. This permanent, site-based role offers competitive benefits and pension support.

Qualifications

• Strong background in food manufacturing in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Understanding of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading improvement projects with measurable results.
• Ability to build credible relationships and influence at all levels of the organisation.
• Confident communicator with experience presenting and facilitating workshops.
• Highly organised with strong planning, prioritisation, and time management skills.
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to analyse performance metrics.
• Proficient in IT tools used for analysis, reporting, and presentation.
• Passion for driving change and embedding a culture of operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Implement the Greencore Operating System across site operations to drive efficiency and value.
• Embed the Management Control & Reporting Structure (MCRS) into site operations.
• Lead and support Kaizen events and improvement projects with cross-functional collaboration and measurable outcomes.
• Drive site improvement initiatives aligned to manufacturing strategy, delivering quantifiable performance gains.
• Review end-to-end value chain flows to identify and implement optimised ways of working.
• Establish effective mechanisms to engage colleagues in continuous improvement activities linked to site engagement plans.
• Analyse KPI data, develop reports, evaluate cost savings, and communicate improvement narratives using appropriate data tools.
• Facilitate structured problem-solving activities to address complex operational challenges.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis

Change management

Tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

Job Description

Salary: Competitive salary

Benefits: Company share save scheme, Competitive matched pension contribution, Life insurance up to 4x salary

Location: Greencore Pizza & Bread Holbeach, Holbeach St Marks Spalding PE12 8H

Ways of Working: Site based

Hours of work: Monday to Friday 8:30-17:00

Contract Type: Permanent

Why Greencore?

Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we’re one of the UK’s leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make every day taste better.

As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we’re proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US.

Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between. In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn.

Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop.

Our site in Holbeach St Marks, Lincolnshire, specialises in producing chilled pizzas and employs around 880 people, operating in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

As Operational Excellence Manager, you will lead the drive for continuous improvement, empowering site teams to implement the Greencore Operating System effectively. Your focus will be on enhancing operational performance, creating measurable value, and embedding a culture of excellence across the business.

Role Accountabilities

• Implement the Greencore Operating System across site operations, including productivity and performance tools, to drive efficiency and value
• Embed the Management Control & Reporting Structure (MCRS) into site operations
• Lead and support Kaizen events and improvement projects, ensuring cross-functional collaboration and measurable outcomes
• Drive site improvement initiatives aligned to manufacturing strategy, delivering quantifiable performance gains
• Review end-to-end value chain flows to identify and implement optimised ways of working
• Establish effective mechanisms to engage colleagues in continuous improvement activities linked to site engagement plans
• Analyse KPI data, develop reports, evaluate cost savings, and communicate improvement narratives using appropriate data tools
• Facilitate structured problem-solving activities to address complex operational challenges

What We’re Looking For

• Strong background in food manufacturing, ideally within a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Sound understanding of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience leading and facilitating improvement projects that deliver measurable business results
• Ability to build credible, collaborative relationships and influence at all levels of the organisation
• Confident communicator with experience presenting, facilitating workshops, and engaging diverse audiences
• Highly organised with strong planning, prioritisation, and time management skills
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to analyse performance metrics and translate insight into action
• Proficient in IT tools used for analysis, reporting, and presentation
• Passion for driving change, developing capability, and embedding a culture of operational excellence

At Greencore we put our people at the core. We celebrate their differences and help everyone to be themselves at work. Together we make every day taste better.

What You’ll Get In Return

• Competitive salary and job-related benefits
• Holidays
• Competitive matched pension contribution
• Life insurance up to 4x salary
• Company share save scheme
• Greencore Qualifications
• Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform
• Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform
• Enhanced parental leave and menopause policies

Throughout your time at Greencore, you will be supported with on-the-job training and development opportunities to further your career.