Title: Site Operational Excellence Lead

Müller UK & Ireland; Stretford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy manufacturer in the UK is seeking an experienced Operational Excellence Lead to enhance efficiency and drive continuous improvement at their manufacturing site. The role requires expertise in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies, along with strong coaching and analytical skills. The ideal candidate will lead initiatives aiming to optimize processes and mentor teams effectively. This is a full-time role located on-site in Stretford.

Benefits

Advanced OE and Lean training

Leadership development programmes

Technical competency workshops

Coaching and facilitation training

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Operational Excellence or Continuous Improvement within a factory environment.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification required; Master Black Belt desirable.
• Strong ability to coach and facilitate teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment of Operational Excellence tools site-wide.
• Apply Six Sigma Black Belt techniques for process improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement projects to eliminate waste.

Skills

Operational Excellence

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma Black Belt

Analytical skills

Coaching

Facilitation skills

Change management

Tools

SMED

5S

RCA

Autonomous Maintenance

Standard Work

Job description

We are hiring an experienced Operational Excellence Lead to join our Manchester-based manufacturing site on a permanent, full-time basis. This is a key leadership role focused on driving continuous improvement, embedding a culture of Lean Manufacturing, and delivering measurable performance enhancements., As the Operational Excellence Lead, you will lead site-wide initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance team capability. You'll apply Lean tools, Six Sigma methodologies, and performance management systems to deliver strategic improvements aligned with business goals.,

Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment of Operational Excellence tools: SMED, 5S, RCA, Autonomous Maintenance, and Standard Work.
• Apply Six Sigma Black Belt techniques to analyse and improve manufacturing processes.
• Drive continuous improvement projects focused on eliminating waste and optimising resources.
• Coach and mentor teams to embed a culture of Operational Excellence.
• Set and deploy OGSM targets across all site functions.
• Collaborate with site leadership to integrate OE into daily operations.
• Support team development through coaching, performance reviews, and training.
• Champion health and safety through proactive site engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Operational Excellence, Lean Manufacturing, or Continuous Improvement within a production or factory environment.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification (Master Black Belt desirable).
• Strong analytical, coaching, and facilitation skills.
• Experience in change/project management (DMAIC).
• Ability to influence across all levels and drive cultural transformation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Development Opportunities

• Advanced OE and Lean training
• Leadership development programmes (Level 5 Fit for Leadership)
• Technical competency workshops
• Coaching and facilitation training

Müller UK & Ireland is wholly owned by Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller which employs over 31,000 people throughout Europe. In the UK, Müller develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of branded and private label dairy products made with milk from 1,300 farmers in Britain.Müller is ranked within the top 20 in The Grocer's Top 100 list of Britain's Biggest Brands and is picked from shelves millions of times each year. Müller UK & Ireland includes: Müller Milk & Ingredients which aims to be Britain's private label dairy leader and produces branded and private label fresh milk, cream, butter and ingredients products. It boasts a network of dairies and depots servicing customers throughout the country. Müller Yogurt & Desserts which is the UK's leading yogurt manufacturer which aims to create millions more Müller moments for its consumers. It is responsible for major brands like Müller Corner, Müllerlight, Müller Bliss, Müller Rice, FRijj and Müller Kefir Smoothie and produces chilled desserts under licence from Mondelez International. It also supplies the UK private label yogurt market from a dedicated, state of the art yogurt facility.