Operational Excellence Specialist

Abbott; Witney; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share ownership opportunities

Company pension scheme

Job summary

Abbott in Witney is seeking an Operational Excellence Specialist to drive continuous improvement across production and return-investigation processes. You will coach teams in Lean principles, set up Lean training, and help design lean into a new facility from day one.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision-making and cross-functional collaboration. The position offers opportunities to develop digital tools (Power Apps) and enhanced operational visibility, with a focus on quality, compliance,

Qualifications

• Experience across Operations, Technical, Quality, or Financial environments.
• Strong communication, decision-making, facilitation, and collaborative leadership.
• Practical experience with Lean Six Sigma and modern manufacturing excellence tools.
• Ability to perform data analysis using Excel; familiarity with Power BI dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Act as a Continuous Improvement change specialist, coaching colleagues on Lean principles and project execution.
• Set up, facilitate, and deliver Lean training across the department.
• Develop and enhance OpEx systems using PDCA; incorporate benchmarking and future state proposals.
• Deliver OpEx initiatives to strengthen processes and improve maturity of the department.
• Lead small to medium improvement projects using DMAIC; manage resources, timelines, risks, and milestones.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Continuous Improvement

Data analysis

Communication

Change management

Education

Secondary education

Tools

Power Apps

Excel

Power BI

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Join Abbott as an Operational Excellence Specialist – based in Witney

About Abbott

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, we’ve been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows individuals and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create innovative solutions across the spectrum of health, advancing technologies that help people live their best lives.

The Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for an Operational Excellence Specialist to join our Product Return investigation team in Witney. In this role, you will act as a key change agent, driving Continuous Improvement (CI) activity across our Operational areas. You will help develop a culture of excellence by supporting teams with Lean Six Sigma tools, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced operational processes — all while maintaining and uplifting quality and compliance standards.

This position offers the exciting opportunity to assist in the set-up of a new facility at the Witney Campus. This new building allows the incumbent to help design lean principles into the facility and processes from day one.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about problem solving, process optimisation, and empowering teams to work smarter.

Responsibilities

• Act as a Continuous Improvement change specialist, coaching colleagues on Lean principles, tools, and project execution.
• Responsible for the set-up, facilitation, and delivery of Lean training across the department.
• Develop and enhance Operational Excellence systems using structured PDCA methodology — including benchmarking, current state assessment, future state proposals, and implementation support.
• Deliver Operational Excellence initiatives that strengthen the departmental processes and elevate the departments OpEx maturity.
• Independently identify, lead, and execute small to medium improvement projects using DMAIC methodology.
• Manage project resources, timelines, risks, and milestones; present findings and outcomes to key stakeholders.
• Develop, deploy, and maintain digital tools (e.g., Power Apps) to improve operational visibility and efficiency.
• Facilitate meetings and workshops to drive engagement, alignment, and problem-solving.

Education & Experience

Education:

• Completed secondary education or equivalent.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience across Operations, Technical, Quality, and/or Financial environments.
• Strong communication, decision-making, facilitation, and collaborative leadership skills.
• Practical experience with modern manufacturing excellence tools & techniques, including Lean Six Sigma.
• Ability to perform data analysis using Excel; familiarity with basic Power BI dashboards and interpretation of trends/KPIs.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• A class-leading defined contribution pension scheme.
• Share ownership opportunities.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment that encourages career growth and development.
• Access to a wide range of wellness initiatives and employee engagement activities.

The base pay for this position is

N/A

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:

Manufacturing

DIVISION:

ADC Diabetes Care

LOCATION:

United Kingdom > Witney : Production Facility

WORK SHIFT:

Standard

TRAVEL:

Yes, 5 % of the Time

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

Not Applicable

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Not Applicable