Head of Operational Excellence – Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Job Purpose
The Head of Operational Excellence is responsible for designing, deploying, governing, and continuously improving the Operating System across all manufacturing facilities. The role blends strategic leadership with hands-on operational support, ensuring that manufacturing sites develop the capabilities, standards, and culture required to achieve Zero Harm, Zero Defects, and Zero Waste while delivering strong business performance.
Acting as a key partner to the COO, Site Leads, and both site and above site functional leaders, the position leads the development of the global manufacturing & supply chain strategy, aligns Production System deployment with strategic objectives, and ensures standardised, sustainable execution across the network. The role drives productivity, efficiency, compliance, and engagement through strong governance, capability building, coaching, and rigorous performance management.
Key Responsibilities
1. Operating System (NPS) Strategy & Design
Lead the design, development, and continuous evolution of the Operating System (standards, handbook, maturity matrices, templates, training modules).
Ensure alignment with corporate systems such as Quality Management, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, MS&T, EHS, and Operations.
Develop and govern the NPS implementation methodology, including assessment processes, deployment roadmaps, and change-management standards.
With the Training team to build and evolve the Operational Excellence Academy, including capability curriculum, certification paths, and training materials.
2. Manufacturing & Supply Chain Strategy Support
Partner with the COO and Site Leads to shape the long-term Manufacturing & Supply Chain Strategy.
Translate strategic objectives into annual targets, global initiatives, and site-level transformation plans.
Provide expert insight into productivity, efficiency, operational risk, capacity, and performance opportunities.
3. Governance & Network Performance Management
Establish and lead governance forums, ensuring transparent decision-making and consistent execution across sites.
Monitor and report on global KPIs (Safety, Quality, People, Delivery, Cost, Sustainability).
Maintain a global assessment schedule and produce network-wide maturity assessment reports, highlighting gaps, risks, and required interventions.
Ensure early escalation of deviations from standards or strategic objectives.
4. Operational Deployment & Site Capability Building
Guide Site Leads and leadership teams in developing NPS deployment plans, ensuring alignment with each site’s strategic plan.
Support sites through coaching, training, change-management support, and hands-on problem-solving.
Build strong local capability in continuous improvement, leadership behaviours, performance management, and waste elimination.
Embed robust daily management systems, KPIs, reporting processes, and structured problem-solving routines.
5. Continuous Improvement & Performance Acceleration
Drive network-wide programs to improve productivity, efficiency, cost competitiveness, safety performance, and operational reliability.
Facilitate cross-site knowledge sharing, benchmarking, and best-practice deployment.
Partner with sites requiring higher levels of support, including turnaround interventions.
Ensure OPEX resources across the network are aligned, skilled, and deployed to high-value priorities.
6. Portfolio, PMO & Benefit Realisation
Oversee the portfolio of OPEX initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and prioritisation of value-creating activities.
Ensure projects deliver measurable benefits and that financial outcomes (e.g.,productivity, efficiency, ROI) are tracked and validated.
Provide tools, templates, governance structures, and expert coaching to ensure excellence in project execution.
Key Performance Indicators
Year-on-year improvements in Safety, Quality, People, Delivery, Cost, and Sustainability.
Continuous progression of all sites toward NPS maturity level 5.
Demonstrated productivity gains and efficiency improvements across the network.
Consistent adoption of global standards and reduction in operational variation.
Delivery of strategic transformation objectives on time and within budget.
Improvement in employee engagement and leadership capability at sites.
Complexity & Scope
Leads a global program across diverse cultures, regulatory environments, and manufacturing technologies.
Balances long-term system design with short-term operational priorities and site-specific needs.
Works across multiple functions including Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, HR, Finance, MS&T, Operations
Requires strong influence and relationship-building across senior leadership levels.
Manages ambiguity, complexity, and the pace of change while maintaining high standards of compliance and performance.
Competencies
Operational Excellence / Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt or equivalent preferred)
Strategic thinking & business acumen
Coaching & capability building
Change management & cultural transformation
Project & portfolio management
Problem solving (advanced)
Stakeholder management (executive level)
Communication & influence
Safety and cGMP Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (Aseptic Manufacturing Desirable)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or related discipline.
Advanced OPEX/Lean Six Sigma accreditation highly desired.
PMP or equivalent is an advantage.
Experience
10+ years in global manufacturing, operational excellence, supply chain, or technical operations roles.
Proven experience designing and deploying global operational excellence or production systems.
Demonstrated success in multi-site leadership, including remote leadership across diverse geographies.
Strong record of coaching executives and leadership teams in operations, change, and performance.
Experience in regulated manufacturing (cGMP preferred).
Leadership Behaviours
Courageous decision-maker with high integrity and accountability.
Inspires trust, engagement, and collaboration across functions and cultures.
Results-driven with a continuous-improvement mindset.
Strong communicator capable of influencing at all levels, including executive teams.