Operational Excellence Specialist - Stourton

TG Arla; Leeds; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy company in Leeds is seeking an Operational Excellence Specialist to enhance quality and safety standards while driving efficiency. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in food production operations and a solid background in continuous improvement. They will work collaboratively across departments to implement innovative practices and achieve operational targets, fostering a culture of safety and environmental sustainability.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual pay review

Employer pension matched up to 6%

X4 annual salary life assurance cover

Flexible benefits

Strong career development & training

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in food production operations or equivalent.
• Proven track record in CI/lean and compliance to quality.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement activities on site.
• Ensure compliance with quality and food safety standards.
• Support operations with New Product Implementations.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Data-driven decision making

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Master’s degree in Engineering/Science or equivalent

Tools

SPC

SAP

MES

Job description

Overview

Do you want to make a visible impact on a large, complex operations site by driving quality, safety, efficiency and continuous improvement? As an Operational Excellence Specialist, you’ll be a key contributor to our site’s performance, challenging processes, coaching colleagues and turning data into better decisions every day. You’ll work with limited supervision and collaborate widely across functions to deliver tangible results.

How you will make an impact

You will be responsible for achieving operational targets and ensuring delivery of services within your area, interacting with stakeholders and acting as an important interface across the function. You will drive CI activities, ensure compliance to Arla standards and legal requirements, and coach colleagues to embed best practice across the site.

• Act as an Operations Specialist impacting performance at a large/complex senior site; identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities.
• Ensure execution of business plans and compliance with Arla Foods’ standards and procedures with strong focus on Quality, EHS and economy.
• Own compliance to quality and food safety requirements in your area, completing tasks and activities to secure operations performance.
• Drive sustainability initiatives with focus on responsible resource usage and practices; optimize processes and enable innovation through technology.
• Collaborate with Production and Innovation; support operations with NPI/NPD, project implementation and customer visits; escalate issues and propose solutions.

What will make you successful?

• Master’s degree (e.g., Engineering/Science) or equivalent; or University degree with equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in food production operations or deep specialist skills gained through significant years of experience (10–15+ years with special training).
• Proven track record in CI/lean, compliance to quality and food safety, and data-driven decision making (SPC, OEE, MDE, SAP, MES, basic statistics).
• Experience coordinating cross-functional stakeholders and supporting NPI/NPD and investment projects.
• Improvement champion: challenges status quo and turns insights into practical changes.
• Collaborative coach: supports and mentors colleagues while building a safe, inclusive culture.
• Pragmatic problem-solver: prioritises effectively, communicates clearly, and follows through.

We work closely together with high job satisfaction and strong onboarding support, within a purpose-driven, safety-first culture grounded in farmer-owned values and sustainability at the core, offering a steep learning curve, development opportunities, and internal mobility in a market-leading company.

What do we offer?

You’ll join a high-performing Operations team where your ideas translate into real improvements on a complex site. We’re committed to professional development and promoting from within. Our collaborative culture will bring out the best in you as you help us produce nutritious household-favourite brands responsibly.

• Competitive salary
• Annual Pay review
• Employer pension matched up to 6% (12% total contributory)
• X4 annual salary life assurance cover
• Flexible Benefits- buy up to 5 days annual leave, reward gateway scheme- discounts with various retailers via my benefit platform.
• Strong career development & training (internal and external training)

Would you like to join us?
If you want to facilitate innovation and help shape the industry, then seize this exciting opportunity. Please apply as soon as possible as we will process applications on a continuous basis and close the recruitment once the right candidate is found. The initial closing date for applications is: information available from the contact below.

For additional information, please contact Jess Thwaite – [e-mail]

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to producing high-quality products while championing sustainability and innovation. We are devoted to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Diversity and collaboration are key to our success, propelling us to new heights in the dairy industry.