Operational Excellence Manager – Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
£65,000 – £75,000 + Bonus + Benefits
Full-time, Monday to Friday (On-site)
Greater Cardiff area – Driving licence required due to location
We’re supporting a global manufacturing organisation in their search for a hands-on and strategic Operational Excellence Manager. This role plays a key part in driving business-wide transformation through Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies. Working closely with senior leaders, you’ll lead high-impact projects across global sites, improving cost efficiency, delivery performance, quality standards, and safety outcomes.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Lean and continuous improvement professional to take on a senior-level role within a global operations environment. Reporting to the EVP of Operations, you’ll shape and deliver strategic initiatives that align with business goals and embed a culture of operational excellence. This position offers a mix of project leadership, stakeholder engagement, and global influence.
What You’ll Be Doing
Business Planning & Strategy
Translate business objectives into a structured portfolio of improvement and transformation projects
Prioritise initiatives focused on operational efficiency, cost reduction, and customer value
Act as a subject matter expert for Lean and Six Sigma across international sites
Project Leadership
Develop and lead cross-functional project teams across manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and quality
Define clear project goals, budgets, timelines, and performance indicators
Ensure all projects meet regulatory requirements and business objectives
Continuous Improvement
Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and structured problem-solving sessions
Identify improvement opportunities using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
Deliver measurable results in OEE, lead times, cost, safety, and quality
Coach and mentor teams to build internal capability and sustain improvement
Governance & Reporting
Implement structured governance, reporting and risk management frameworks
Maintain performance reports, KPIs, and detailed project documentation
Support capital expenditure planning and ensure alignment with business strategy
What We’re Looking For
Degree or equivalent in a relevant technical, engineering, or operations field
Proven experience leading Lean/Six Sigma and continuous improvement projects in a manufacturing environment
Black Belt (or Green Belt with significant experience) in Lean Six Sigma
Formal project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile, APMP)
Strong change management experience, ideally in a regulated sector
Confident communicator with excellent stakeholder engagement skills
Ability to travel globally as needed
Key Details
Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 + Bonus + Benefits
Location: On-site, Greater Cardiff area
Working Hours: Monday to Friday
Travel: Some international travel may be required
Driving: Full UK driving licence required due to site location
Ready to drive operational transformation at a global scale?
If you're passionate about continuous improvement and want to lead impactful change across international operations, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch to find out more