Operational Excellence Manager

Job description

You will lead complex cross-functional improvement initiatives and provide hands-on operational excellence consultancy to business teams. You will use Lean Six Sigma Black Belt expertise, data analysis and stakeholder collaboration to improve efficiency, customer outcomes and process performance. You will build a pipeline of opportunities, deliver measurable and sustainable benefits, and develop continuous improvement capability through coaching, mentoring, facilitation and knowledge transfer.

You will report to the Director, Transformation and Operational Excellence. What you'll do? Partner with business teams to identify, assess and prioritise improvement opportunities aligned to customer, operational, financial and control objectives. Develop a credible pipeline of Lean Six Sigma and operational excellence initiatives, from focused rapid improvement activity to complex Black Belt projects. Lead complex projects through define, measure, analyse, improve and control.

Analyse process, customer and performance data to identify root causes, measure opportunities and support fact-based decisions. Facilitate workshops and apply appropriate methods such as process mapping, value stream analysis, root cause analysis, hypothesis testing, capability analysis and solution design. Develop business cases and implementation plans, track milestones, risks, issues and dependencies, and escalate barriers promptly.

Matrix-lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders from operational management to Director level without relying on formal authority. Identify and shape automation, workflow, process mining, low-code and AI-enabled improvement opportunities in partnership with technology and business teams. Define process measures, controls and handover arrangements so that implemented improvements are embedded and sustained.

Coach Yellow Belts, Green Belts and project teams from opportunity definition through delivery and accreditation, where applicable. Deliver or support Lean Six Sigma learning, practical workshops and improvement capability activity, both virtually and in person. Contribute to the improvement of operational excellence methods, templates, training materials and communities of practice. Ensure delivery considers customer impact, operational risk, controls, compliance, data privacy and audit readiness.

Qualifications

What you'll bring

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, with proven experience leading complex, end-to-end DMAIC improvement projects. 5+ years of relevant experience in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Business Transformation, Process Improvement or a similar environment, including at least 2–3 years operating at Black Belt level. Practical experience with Lean Six Sigma methodologies, including DMAIC, process mapping, root cause analysis, value stream analysis, hypothesis testing, process capability and control planning.

Experience mentoring Yellow Belts, Green Belts or project teams in the practical application of Lean Six Sigma. Understanding of automation and digital improvement opportunities, including areas such as RPA, workflow optimisation, process mining, low-code solutions and AI. Experience working in a large, international or matrix organisation.