Process Improvement Specialist

Ocado Logistics; Hatfield; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work from anywhere 30 days

Wellbeing support app

25 days leave; 27 after 5 years

Pension up to 7% employer contrib.

Private medical cover

Family-friendly policies

Train tickets (interest-free)

Shuttle services

Share schemes

Ocado shopping perks 15%

Income protection & life insurance

Job summary

Ocado Logistics is seeking a Process Improvement Specialist to join the Operational Excellence team. You will lead structured, data-driven initiatives to quantify root causes, redesign end-to-end processes, and ensure high operational standards across our UK network.

The role requires an engineering qualification and a structured, analytical approach to logistics operations, with strong collaboration across teams to embed lasting improvements on the shop floor.

Qualifications

• Root Cause Expertise: proven problem-solving and loss elimination experience.
• Process mapping and change management experience; Six Sigma welcome.
• Engineering mindset with analytical approach to logistics operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead data-led problem-solving initiatives across sites and units.
• Identify root causes, quantify defects, and redesign processes.
• Update standards and process maps to reflect best practices.
• Collaborate with SMEs, owners and leaders to deliver change.
• Monitor KPIs and govern actions to sustain improvements.
• Spend time on the floor to understand frontline realities and update standards.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Data-driven

Stakeholder communication

Frontline mindset

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Why Ocado?

Here at Ocado Logistics, it’s our mission to provide an outstanding customer experience for our partners, developing groundbreaking technology, opening multiple sites at an accelerating rate, and engaging in exciting new business partnerships around the world—changing the way the world shops, for good.

Job Description

Why Ocado?

Here at Ocado Logistics, it’s our mission to provide an outstanding customer experience for our partners, developing groundbreaking technology, opening multiple sites at an accelerating rate, and engaging in exciting new business partnerships around the world—changing the way the world shops, for good.

We are the beating heart of our UK business and comprise a network of cutting-edge warehouses and offices across the country that ensure we optimize the experience and use our proprietary technology across the supply chain to deliver an exceptional shopping experience. At the same time, we deliver bags of possibilities for our employees and a career that ensures no two days are ever the same.

About The Role

We wouldn’t be able to positively impact the way the world shops without our passionate team members—who keep our business running, our vans delivering, our customers' products picked and packed, and our proprietary technology operating at optimum levels. Behind the scenes of our logistics network, physical operations, and customer delivery flows, we now have an opportunity for a Process Improvement Specialist to join our Operational Excellence team.

As a Process Improvement Specialist, you will sit at the intersection of physical logistics—from our vans and products goods to our end-to-end operational flows and people. You will lead structured, data lead, problem-solving initiatives to drill down into operational failures, quantify root causes, and redesign business processes to ensure high operational standards across our network.

The ideal candidate will hold an engineering degree or qualification (often gained within a manufacturing or engineering-led background), bringing a structured, analytical approach to complex logistics operations.

If you combine data-savvy analytical rigour with genuine empathy—equally comfortable drilling into operational workflows to quantify defects as you are spending time on the floor understanding the everyday challenges of our frontline operators—you will feel right at home in this role!

Leveraging your strong communication skills, you will work collaboratively across the business with subject matter experts, and leadership teams to redesign operational standards, eliminate chronic losses, and embed lasting operational excellence across the Ocado Logistics.

You Will Be

• Driving Data-Led Problem Solving & Projects: Leading concurrent improvement projects across our sites and business units, navigating challenges and technical constraints to deliver practical, data-backed solutions.
• Tackling Root Causes & Losses: Championing structured problem-solving to get to the bottom of chronic losses, using hard data and metrics to dissect defects, eliminate bottlenecks, and boost process reliability.
• Redesigning Process Maps & Standards: Updating operational standards and process maps to make sure our daily workflows reflect modern, best-in-class ways of working across our logistics network.
• Partnering Across Teams & SMEs: Building strong, collaborative relationships with subject matter experts, process owners, and operational teams across different departments to map processes and deliver impactful change together.
• Monitoring Performance & Leading Governance: Keeping a vigilant eye on key performance indicators (KPIs), setting strategic targets, and overseeing actions and countermeasures to ensure improvements stick over time.
• Championing Frontline-First Process Redesign: Spending time on the shop floor to truly understand frontline realities, updating operational standards and process maps so they support our operators rather than hinder them.
• Differentiating Process vs. Execution: Bringing an empathetic yet rigorous approach to evaluate operations fairly—discerning whether operational failures stem from faulty process design or execution hurdles, and advocating for our frontline teams.

About you:

• Root Cause Expertise: Proven experience in similar operational or continuous improvement roles, with expertise in structured, intricate problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and loss elimination.
• Process Improvement Mindset: Practical experience in change management, process mapping, and project delivery (Six Sigma testing or accreditation welcomed).
• Engineering Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree or qualification in Engineering (is highly desirable), bringing a structured, analytical mindset typically honed in engineering or manufacturing environments.
• Data-Savvy & Analytical: Comfortable driving, analysing, and questioning operational metrics to uncover insights and quantify defects without needing to be a data scientist.
• Strong Communicator & Collaborator: Able to engage effectively with stakeholders across all levels—from front-line drivers and warehouse teams to subject matter experts and senior department leaders.
• People-Centric & Frontline Mindset: A compassionate, empathetic professional who values the frontline operators driving our business. You possess the emotional intelligence to listen, understand floor-level realities, and advocate for practical improvements that make their work easier and more effective.
• Fair & Constructive Evaluator: Capable of making balanced, fair challenges when assessing performance—skilled at identifying whether an issue is driven by poor process design, flawed tools, or execution challenges, always focusing on solutions over blame.

What you can expect to receive in return:

• Flexible Work: Enjoy 30 days of 'work from anywhere' policy for a balanced life.
• Wellbeing Support: Access dedicated apps and an Employee Assistance Programme for holistic well-being.
• Generous Leave: Begin with 25 days, growing to 27 after 5 years, with an option to buy more.
• Pension Plan: Secure your future with our pension scheme, featuring up to 7% employer contribution matching.
• Private Medical Cover: Rest easy with comprehensive private medical insurance.
• Family-Friendly: We support your family with maternity, adoption, shared parental leave, and paternity leave.
• Financial Aid: Get interest-free train tickets and join our Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Shuttle Services: Convenient free shuttle buses connect you to work.
• Share Schemes: Join exciting share plans to participate in our success.
• Shopping Perks: Enjoy a 15% discount on Ocado.com and savings at popular retailers and restaurants.
• Financial Protection: We offer Income Protection and Life Insurance for financial security.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer, prioritising inclusivity and equal opportunities for all individuals, ensuring a supportive and accessible workplace for people with disabilities. So, whatever your background or story, you’ll find a home at Ocado Logistics.