Capability & Operational Excellence Manager

Diageo; Ireland; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Diageo, Littleconnell Brewery in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, seeks a Capability & Operational Excellence Manager to build capability frameworks and lead learning initiatives across Brewing, Engineering, Quality and Utilities.

You will design programmes that embed a culture of continuous improvement, delivering safe, efficient and consistent results. You will partner with leadership to drive coaching, performance management and problem solving, strengthening frontline leadership and delivering

Qualifications

• Experience in capability development, learning or operational excellence within a manufacturing/operational setting.
• Strong capability-building, coaching and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience designing and implementing training programmes, competency frameworks or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Data-driven mindset with ability to identify opportunities and deliver improvements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and embed a site-wide capability strategy, with competency frameworks and development pathways.
• Design and deliver training, onboarding, certification and coaching programmes.
• Strengthen frontline leadership through targeted development initiatives.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to drive safety, quality, service and productivity.
• Partner with operations to identify capability gaps and address skill shortages.
• Establish governance, KPI frameworks and reporting for capability growth and training impact.
• Use data and stakeholder collaboration to support business priorities and deliver measurable improvements.

Skills

Capability development

Coaching

Stakeholder management

Training design

Data-driven decisions

Job description

Job Description : Capability and Operational Excellence Manager Littleconnell Brewery, Co.Kildare Permanent Contract Closing date 21/09/2026

Join our Supply Chain and Manufacturing team. Supply Chain & Manufacturing is where our brands are made, moved and delivered to the world. With over half of our people working across more than 100 sites, this is a complex, large-scale operation that brings together production, logistics, engineering and supplier partnerships. It’s fast-paced and hands-on, with teams working together to ensure quality, efficiency and sustainability at every stage. From sourcing ingredients to getting products into customers’ hands, you’ll play a role in delivering the brands people know and love. A forward-thinking €200 million investment has brought an innovative, carbon-neutral brewery to life in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. This best-in-class facility will be Ireland’s second-largest brewing operation and a powerhouse of sustainability, running entirely on renewable energy. It’s where iconic beers like Rockshore, Harp, Smithwick’s, and Kilkenny are crafted for a new generation.

About the Role

As the Capability & Operational Excellence Manager, you will play a pivotal role in building the skills, leadership capability and continuous improvement culture that drives high performance across our operations. Working closely with leaders across Brewing, Engineering, Quality, Utilities and Supply, you will design and embed capability frameworks, learning programmes and operational excellence initiatives that ensure our people, processes and systems are equipped to deliver safe, efficient and consistent results. This is a highly visible role, combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery to strengthen workforce capability, enhance frontline leadership and create a culture where continuous improvement is part of everyday work.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and embed a site-wide capability strategy, including role-based competency frameworks, skills matrices and development pathways.
• Design and deliver structured training, onboarding, certification and coaching programmes that build technical, leadership and behavioural capability.
• Strengthen frontline leadership through targeted development initiatives focused on coaching, performance management and problem solving.
• Lead the implementation of continuous improvement methodologies, driving sustainable gains in safety, quality, service and productivity.
• Partner with operational teams to identify capability gaps, address critical skill shortages and improve workforce resilience.
• Establish governance, KPI frameworks and reporting processes to measure capability growth, training effectiveness and operational excellence outcomes.
• Use data, insights and stakeholder collaboration to support business priorities and deliver measurable performance improvements.

About You

We’re seeking an experienced capability, learning or operational excellence professional who is passionate about developing people and improving performance. You have a track record of building capability programmes, influencing stakeholders and driving meaningful change in operational environments. Confident working across functions, you use data, coaching and continuous improvement principles to deliver sustainable results and help teams perform at their best.

What You’ll Bring

• Experience in capability development, learning, operational excellence or continuous improvement within a manufacturing or operational setting.
• Strong capability-building, coaching and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Experience designing and implementing training programmes, competency frameworks or continuous improvement initiatives.
• A data-driven mentality, with the ability to identify opportunities, solve problems and deliver measurable business improvements.

Working with us

Our purpose is crafting iconic drinks chosen for life’s moments. And it’s our people, with their different experiences, perspectives and talents, who make that possible.

We value diversity in its broadest sense and want everyone to feel they can belong, contribute and strive for their personal best. You’ll work alongside people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - challenging, supporting and learning from one another as one outstanding team. Together, we’re constantly learning and improving, combining the strength of our people, capabilities and iconic brands to raise the bar, grow and win. Wherever you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, make an impact and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more.

Worker Type :Regular Primary Location:Littleconnell Brewery Additional Locations : Job Posting Start Date : 2026-09-07

With over 200 brands sold in more than 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. Every day, over 29,000 talented people come together at Diageo to create the magic behind our much-loved brands. From iconic names to innovative newcomers - the brands we’re building are rooted in culture and local communities. Our ambition is to be one of the best performing, most trusted and most respected consumer products companies in the world. Our founders, such as Arthur Guinness, John Walker, and Charles Tanqueray, were visionary entrepreneurs whose brilliant minds helped shape the alcohol industry. And through our people, their legacy lives on. Join us, and you’ll collaborate with talented people from all corners of the world. Together, you’ll innovate and push boundaries, shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future that we can all be proud of. With diversity at our core, we celebrate our people’s unique passions, commitments and specialist skills. Because when varied voices, mindsets, and personalities come together, great ideas are born. In our supportive culture, your voice will be heard and you’ll be empowered to be you. Just bring your ambition, curiosity and ideas, and we’ll celebrate your work and help you reach your fullest potential.

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