Operational Excellence Manager

On behalf of a prestigious, heritage-rich British manufacturing business with centuries of engineering excellence, we are seeking a hands‑on, high-impact Operational Excellence Manager.

Following recently being acquired, the organisation is embarking on a comprehensive site-wide Lean transformation across its flagship West Midlands manufacturing facility. Employing several hundred site team members, the operation encompasses end-to-end capabilities from sheet‑metal fabrication through to advanced assembly and testing.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the operation of a traditional manufacturing hub. You will lead the Continuous Improvement and Lean agenda, balancing traditional craftsmanship with modern automation, improving flow, and driving a sustainable culture of Lean excellence.

• Value Stream Transformation:
  Lead end-to-end Lean transformation across the site to optimise flow, reduce lead times, and enhance internal SQDC performance.
• Site Kaizen & CI Culture:
  Plan, facilitate, and execute site-wide Kaizen events (5S, waste reduction, SMED, TPM) and act as a hands‑on coach.
• Tiered Visual Management:
  Standardise and audit daily visual management cadences to drive data‑driven accountability across all shifts.
• Line Balancing & SOPs:
  Conduct takt time/cycle time analyses to balance multi‑station assembly lines and collaborate with Production Engineering to update SOPs.
• Quality & Scrap Reduction:
  Partner with Quality teams to eliminate root‑cause defects using structured methodologies (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone) to maximise first‑time‑through yield.
• Line‑Side Logistics & Kanban:
  Work closely with supply chain to optimise point‑of‑use material feeds, implementing pull systems, Kanban, and kitting strategies.
• NPI & Capital Alignment:
  Support the operational rollout of Next Generation product launches while aligning Lean initiatives with the site's capital equipment roadmap.

• We are seeking a Gemba‑focused, hands‑on leader who has experienced "what good looks like" in a World‑Class Manufacturing environment and possesses the passion and agility to apply those principles to a traditional manufacturing operation.
• Proven Track Record:
  Extensive experience delivering measurable Lean / CI transformations in complex, high‑mix industrial manufacturing environments.
• Lean Toolkit Expertise:
  Mastery of Value Stream Mapping (VSM), SMED, TPM, Cellular Manufacturing, and 7 Wastes elimination.
• Problem‑Solving
  
  Skills:
  
  Deep expertise in root‑cause problem‑solving (A3, 8D, Ishikawa, 5 Whys) within quality and scrap reduction contexts.
• Leadership & Influence:
  Outstanding communication skills with a proven track record of influencing and coaching colleagues at every level, from shop‑floor operators to executive leadership.
• Analytical & Data‑Driven:
  Strong proficiency in visual control systems, shop‑floor analytics, and data‑driven decision‑making.

• Transformation Ownership:
  The platform to genuinely own and execute an end‑to‑end Lean roadmap supported by active investment and committed executive leadership.
• Impact & Visibility:
  High‑visibility leadership role key to driving the plant's transition into a competitive Centre of Excellence.
• Competitive Package:
  Attractive executive base salary, comprehensive benefits package, and long‑term career progression within a growing global group.