Operations Team Lead

Johnson & Johnson; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare company in Leeds is seeking an Operations Team Lead to manage manufacturing processes and lead a team. The role requires experience in supply-chain operations and effective performance management. Candidates should have a vocational qualification in relevant fields and a strong background in regulated industries. The ideal candidate will drive performance, ensure compliance with standards, and promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement. This position offers an opportunity to impact healthcare innovation directly.

Qualifications

• Experience in regulated industry (medical device or pharmaceuticals) preferred.
• Ability to manage challenges positively.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operational delivery in manufacturing.
• Manage individual contributors.
• Monitor key operational indicators.
• Promote safety behaviors and compliance.

Skills

Leadership experience in manufacturing or supply-chain operations

Understanding of fabrication and cleanroom operations

Familiarity with Lean manufacturing

Strong communication skills

Resilience and adaptability

Education

Vocational/technical qualification in manufacturing, engineering, or supply chain

Job description

Job Function:

Supply Chain Manufacturing

Job Sub Function:

Plant Management

Job Category:

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:

Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Job Description:

About Orthopaedics

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments.

Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of Orthopaedics? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how we heal? Our Orthopaedics teams help keep more than 6 million people moving each year while delivering clinical and economic value to surgeons and healthcare systems. Our teams build solutions for joint reconstruction; trauma and craniomaxillofacial; sports, extremities, and elective foot and ankle; spine; and robotics and digital surgery.

Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech

Johnson & Johnson announced plans to separate our Orthopaedics business to establish a standalone orthopaedics company, operating as DePuy Synthes. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed within 18 to 24 months, subject to legal requirements, including consultation with works councils and other employee representative bodies, as may be required, regulatory approvals and other customary conditions and approvals.

Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the transaction, you would be an employee of DePuy Synthes, and your employment would be governed by DePuy Synthes employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by DePuy Synthes at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes.

We are searching for the best talent for a Operations Teamlead to be in Leeds, United Kingdom!

Purpose:

At J&J, we develop capability and career growth. The Operations Team Lead will provide front‑line leadership across the manufacturing value stream reporting into the Base Business Value Stream Leader. This is a Team Lead role, running day‑to‑day operational delivery, drive performance management, and ensure alignment of plant activities to supply‑chain roadmaps and business demand.

As an Operations Team Lead, you will:

• Balance workload across the value stream to maintain steady workflow and minimize bottlenecks.
• Act as the front‑line point of contact for value‑stream issues and plant‑level initiatives.
• Lead and manage individual contributors, ensuring effective performance management, mentoring, and development.
• Conduct regular 1:1 meetings, proficiency assessments, and performance reviews; identify and close training gaps.
• Make and communicate operational decisions to meet production schedules and fulfillment commitments.
• Monitor key operational indicators (efficiency, cycle times, throughput, backlog) and resolve deviations to protect timely delivery.
• Ensure work orders and priorities are executed consistently and meet expected standards.
• Facilitate alignment of plant goals and supply‑chain roadmaps; support integration of business and technology strategies.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs, GMP requirements, technical drawings, and traceability documentation.
• Lead investigations, manage nonconformance handling, and ensure timely completion of corrective actions and batch records.
• Sponsor Lean initiatives (Kaizen, 6S, waste reduction) and improvement projects to enhance efficiency, quality, and scalability.
• Promote safety behaviors, cleanroom protocols, and safe material handling; report unsafe conditions and participate in safety reviews.
• Maintain communication with Planning, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams.
• Provide accurate operational handovers, shift reports, and input to management on performance, risks, and improvement plans.

Requirements & Skills

• Practical leadership experience in manufacturing or supply‑chain operations; regulated industry experience (medical device, pharma) preferred.
• Understanding of fabrication, processing, cleanroom operations, and warehouse fulfillment processes.
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, 6S, Operator Asset Care, and continuous improvement methods.
• Knowledge of quality systems, GMP, traceability, and basic validation concepts.
• Strong communication, mentoring, performance management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable operational plans.
• Vocational/technical qualification in manufacturing, engineering, or supply chain, or equivalent experience.
• Resilience and adaptability to manage challenges and unexpected setbacks positively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

At Johnson & Johnson, we want every candidate to feel supported throughout the hiring process. Our goal is to make the experience clear, fair, and respectful of your time.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Application review: We’ll carefully review your CV to see how your skills and experience align with the role.
• Getting to know you: If there’s a good match, you’ll be invited to a short call with one of our recruitment team to understand more about you and answer any questions that you might have.
• Staying informed: We know waiting can be hard and processes can evolve; our recruitment team will keep you updated and make sure you know what to expect at each step.
• Final steps: For successful candidates, you will need to complete country‑specific checks before starting your new role. We will help guide you through these.

Finally, at the end of the process, we’ll invite you to share feedback in a short survey — your input helps us continue improving the experience for future candidates. Thank you for considering a career with Johnson & Johnson. We’re excited to learn more about you and wish you the best of luck in the process! #RPOEMEA #LI-Onsite

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Agile Manufacturing, Analytical Reasoning, Business Process Design, Coaching, Developing Others, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Manufacturing Safety, Plant Operations, Predictive Maintenance, Problem Solving, Process Control, Process Oriented, Project Administration, Quality Assurance (QA), Supply Chain, Workflow Management