Job Title: Operational Excellence Manager Company: Salt Separation Services Location: Rochdale, on-site Department: Operations Compensation: £55,000 - £60,000 About Salt Separation Services: Salt Separation Services have been leading in desalination technology for over 35 years; specialising in the engineering, commissioning and servicing of reverse osmosis (RO) plants that provide drinkable water solutions across a variety of industries. Our systems are used in sectors including naval, oil, cruise ships, and more. We’re committed to designing reliable, high-quality RO and water filtration solutions that meet the unique demands of each industry and customer we serve. Join us on the path to simplifying access to water solutions for a broad and varied client base! Position Summary: We are looking for an experienced Operational Excellence Manager to lead site‑wide performance improvement and drive a culture of continuous improvement. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across Lean, Six Sigma, quality engineering, automation, and manufacturing excellence. Operating with high autonomy, you will shape our improvement roadmap, lead cross‑functional transformation, and deliver measurable results in productivity, quality, and operational performance. Key Responsibilities Lead the development and deployment of the site’s Operational Excellence strategy, aligning improvement initiatives with business goals. Drive Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, structured problem‑solving, VAVE, and continuous improvement initiatives across all functions. Own and deliver annual cost, productivity, OOE, COPQ, scrap, and lead‑time improvement targets. Oversee manufacturing engineering excellence, including process optimisation, tooling, layout, standardisation, and NPI readiness. Provide leadership for Quality Engineering activities, including RCCA, 8D, A3, FMEA, and statistical analysis. Lead automation, Industry 4.0, and digital manufacturing initiatives to improve real‑time visibility and data-driven decision making. Establish strong performance governance frameworks and drive alignment between Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams. Build organisational capability through coaching, problem‑solving training, Lean/Six Sigma development, and CI champion networks. Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, customer, and internal standards. Manage and develop a team (up to 5 direct reports) across Operational Excellence, CI, and Manufacturing Engineering. Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Proven experience in Operational Excellence, Lean, Six Sigma, or Manufacturing Excellence leadership roles. Strong expertise in CI methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 8D, A3, DMAIC, FMEA). Black Belt or equivalent preferred. Demonstrated success delivering cost reduction, productivity improvement, and OOE/asset utilisation gains. Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering, process optimisation, NPI, and standard work. Experience in automation, Industry 4.0, digital manufacturing, or data‑driven performance systems. Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and decision‑making capability with high autonomy. Ability to influence across functions and drive change through coaching, facilitation, and structured governance. Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder‑management skills. Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement culture. Why Salt Sep? Benefits: A value at Salt Sep is family, and as such, we have designed benefits package which we believe give our people the very best support we can professionally, personally and for your future. Competitive employer matched pension scheme (Aviva) Company Bonus Scheme Employee Referral Scheme Free Employee Assistance Services; giving counselling, GP access, financial and wellbeing advice. Life insurance Income protection (after 5 yrs service) Early finish Friday (finishing at 1pm) Plenty of training and development Holiday buy-back Excellent team building, social and company events At Salt Separation Services, you’ll have the opportunity to work on impactful projects in a dynamic environment, as part of a small family-owned business. We have some big goals on our horizon, we take pride in supporting our employees' own growth and provide a culture that values quality, communication, integrity, health and safety and family. We'd love to hear from you! Apply now Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their CV and cover letter detailing relevant experience and qualifications. The next steps 1. Our team will help look into your application 2. If successful, we'll arrange a quick chat 3. Initial Interview, will be with the hiring manager and there will be an element of demonstrating your skills. 4. Final stage, a peer interview to meet some of the people you'll be working along side. 5. Offer, and hopefully, acceptance! Salt Separation Services is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued, we encourage all candidates from all backgrounds, and are very happy to facilitate any adjustment you might need.