Regional Operational Excellence Lead

Matthey; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Milton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive retirement savings

Company matched Share Incentive Plan

Life Assurance, Income Protection and

Critical Illness

Medical plans/health assessments

Retailer and Wellbeing discounts

Competitive annual incentive plan

Job summary

Johnson Matthey is seeking a Regional Operational Excellence Lead to partner with regional operations, drive improvements, and deliver a strategic roadmap across UK sites. The role emphasizes safety, quality, productivity and cost performance, with a focus on developing a high-performing improvements team.

Site-based in Royston with regional UK reach, offering hybrid working and a comprehensive benefits package. Strong leadership, stakeholder influence and Lean Six Sigma credentials are required.

Qualifications

• Black Belt or Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma with structured problem-solving.
• Proven track record delivering measurable operational and financial improvements.
• Experience leading Operational Excellence programmes and cross-functional teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Partner with regional operations leaders to identify priorities and improve performance across sites.
• Develop and deliver a regional Operational Excellence roadmap aligned to business strategy.
• Lead improvement programmes to enhance safety, quality, productivity, efficiency and cost.
• Drive operational maturity through continuous improvement tools, governance and best-practice ways of working.
• Build cross-functional partnerships to support priorities and transformational change.
• Lead and develop a team of Operational Excellence specialists.

Skills

Operational Excellence

Continuous Improvement

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Project management

Coaching & mentoring

Education

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt / Master Black Belt certification

Job description

Location: U.K. - Site based in Royston with regional reach across UK

At Johnson Matthey, your work will matter. As the Regional Operational Excellence Lead, you’ll join a world leader in platinum group metals with over 200 years of history. Using advanced metals chemistry, you’ll help tackle the world’s biggest challenges - cutting emissions, powering modern life and supporting life-saving technologies - by applying, refining and recycling metals that matter for a healthier, more sustainable, circular future.

The role:

As a the Regional Operational Excellence Lead, you will help drive our goals by:

• Partnering with regional operations leaders to identify priorities and improve performance across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Developing and delivering a regional Operational Excellence roadmap aligned to business strategy.
• Leading improvement programmes that enhance safety, quality, productivity, efficiency and cost performance.
• Driving operational maturity through continuous improvement tools, governance and best-practice ways of working.
• Building strong cross-functional partnerships to support operational priorities and transformational change.
• Leading and developing a team of Operational Excellence specialists while embedding a culture of continuous improvement.

Key skills that will help you succeed in this role:

• Proven experience leading Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement or Operations Transformation programmes.
• Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma, with strong knowledge of structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Demonstrated success delivering measurable operational and financial improvements within complex organisations.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience influencing senior operations leaders.
• Excellent analytical, project management and decision-making capabilities.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor and develop high-performing improvement teams.

We make sure salaries are fair, competitive and aligned to individual roles, experience and responsibilities. We are also supportive of hybrid and flexible working and where applicable, offer life, medical and other benefits that support our employees’ financial and physical wellbeing, such as:

• Competitive retirement savings
• Company matched Share Incentive Plan
• Life Assurance, Income Protection and Critical Illness
• Medical plans/health assessments
• Retailer and Wellbeing discounts
• Competitive annual incentive plan

At JM, inclusivity is central to our values. We create an environment where everyone can thrive, embracing diverse perspectives to tackle challenges and ensure all colleagues feel valued and connected.

For any queries or accessibility requirements, please contact [e-mail]. We will work with you to make suitable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All conversations are confidential, and your feedback is welcome to help us provide an accessible and positive recruitment experience.

Closing date for applications: This job advertisement will be posted for a minimum of 2 weeks, early application is advised.

Additional advert note: This role is site-based with regional responsibility across multiple U.K. manufacturing locations and requires up to 50% travel.

All applications are carefully considered and your details will be stored on our secure Application Management System. This is used throughout Johnson Matthey for the selection of suitable candidates for our vacancies as they arise. Johnson Matthey respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

For more information about how your personal data is used please view our privacy notice: Johnson Matthey Privacy Notice. By applying for this role and creating an account you are agreeing to the notice.

Johnson Matthey Plc is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.