Regional Operational Excellence (OPEX) Lead (12 months)

GSK; Weybridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company is seeking a Regional Operational Excellence Lead to enhance operational performance across multiple plants in the UK. This position will drive the Haleon Performance System, ensuring standardization and best practices in manufacturing. The ideal candidate should have a B.S. degree and substantial management experience, with strong leadership and strategic thinking abilities. Join a team that values diversity and innovation in a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of B.S. in Engineering, Business, Chemistry, Biology or related Science.
• Substantial management experience in Manufacturing and Supply environment.
• High emotional intelligence and resilience in dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Deploy HAPS program across 5 plants and track progress.
• Ensure standardization of systems and processes.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning.

Skills

Administrative Skills

Facilities Management

Biotechnology

Creative Production

Design and Estimation

Architecture

Education

B.S. degree in Engineering, Business, Chemistry, Biology or related Science

Job description

Regional Operational Excellence (OPEX) Lead

About the role

• The Regional OPEX (Operational Excellence) Lead is responsible for driving the activation and maturity of our Haleon Performance System (HAPS) across our multiple sites in the region.
• This role blends strategic leadership, operational excellence and capability building to deliver predictable, agile and high‑performing operations across our European facilities.
• Role is responsible for driving standardization and excellence across our multiple manufacturing plants.
• This role ensures the roll out of our HAPS journey and is a key role to drive the implementation of best practices, coach and challenge the Teams, and contribute to building our best‑in‑class standards in a way to enhance supply chain performance and operational efficiency.
• Leads the effort to develop the capabilities and coordinate high‑performance teams.
• Reporting to the Eur QSC head of manufacturing you will be sitting within our European Site Leads Team.

Key responsibilities

• Deploy our HAPS program Haleon Performance System Operational Excellence across 5 plants. Progress sites through HAPS maturity phases with a milestones roadmap.
• Support a 35‑year regional strategy aligned with our Plants Compelling Business Needs (CBNs).
• Ensure standardization of systems, processes and tools.
• Interface with site OpEx leads and Plant Leadership Teams to ensure alignment and execution.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with the company’s Balanced Scorecard metrics. Ensure delivery of regional scorecard targets (e.g., OEE, OTIF, DIO Engagement) through HAPS activation.
• Embed PDCA thinking and loss elimination strategies into our operations.
• Ensure robust process and governance for our Daily Management Systems (DMS) including Daily Direction Setting (DDS) and Run on Target (RoT) across all plants.
• Highly engaged into the Leadership Pillar enabling teams through Servant Leadership Leader Standard Work (LSW) and Gemba routines.
• Coordinate Regional talent pipelines and technical capabilities through structured training (e.g., EO / WPO PS systems).
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and self‑paced development and coach Teams across the Region.
• Support digitalization use cases and tools (e.g., Mercateam digital boards OEE / waste measurement systems) – Align digital roadmap with capability deployment and operational needs across the Region.
• Role‑model Continuous Improvement mindset and best practice sharing from sites / above site meetings and build a Continuous Improvement knowledge database.
• Benchmarking against other Regions / Companies – must be willing to travel.

Qualifications and Skills

Essential

• Minimum B.S. degree level in Engineering, Business, Chemistry, Biology or related Science with specialization in Pharmacy, Engineering, Chemistry or related discipline required.
• Substantial management experience within Manufacturing and Supply environment.
• Strategic thinking and ability to balance global vs. regional vs. site‑level priorities.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities.
• High emotional intelligence and resilience in dynamic environments.
• Proven ability to lead transformation across diverse teams.
• Stakeholders management & Networking.

Preferred

• Substantial working knowledge of GMP, EHS & Quality regulations, logistics / supply, technical & finance demonstrated in the Pharma / Consumer Healthcare industry and preferably in FMCG Industry.
• Professional certification (e.g., CHMM, CIH, CSP).
• Additional languages to English (e.g., Italian, Spanish, Slovakian, French).

Diversity Equity and Inclusion

• At Haleon we embrace our diverse workforce by creating an inclusive environment that celebrates our unique perspectives, generates curiosity, creates unmatched understanding of each other, and promotes fair and equitable outcomes for everyone.
• We’re striving to create a climate where we celebrate our diversity in all forms by treating each other with respect, listening to different viewpoints, supporting our communities, and creating a workplace where your authentic self belongs and thrives.
• We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

Key Skills

Administrative Skills, Facilities Management, Biotechnology, Creative Production, Design and Estimation, Architecture

Employment Information

• Employment Type: Full‑Time
• Experience: years
• Vacancy: 1

Accommodation Requests

If you require a reasonable accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at Haleon at any stage of the application process please contact us by sending an email to the provided address.

• Use subject line: "Haleon Careers : Job Accommodation Request"
• Your Name and contact information
• Requisition ID and Job Title you are interested in
• Location of Requisition (city / state or province / country)
• Description of specific accommodation you are requesting
• Resumes, CVs or other requests outside of accommodation support submitted to this email box will not be accepted.

Haleon is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Haleon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and in the US we adhere to affirmative action principles. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service covered / protected veteran status or any other federal, state, or local protected class.