Operational Excellence Lead

Operational Excellence Lead Location: Skelmersdale Contract: Permanent, Full-Time Hours: Monday–Friday Package: Company car or car allowance, up to 15% annual bonus, 4x life assurance, partner-level healthcare About the Role Due to business growth, we’re thrilled to announce a new position has been created within our team at Skelmersdale for an experienced Operational Excellence Lead. The Operational Excellence Lead purpose is to drive and embed a culture of continuous improvement across our Skelmersdale site. This is a high-visibility role responsible for shaping how our teams work, improving processes, and enabling sustainable performance through operational excellence tools, coaching, and strategic deployment. You’ll champion OE principles across all functions, support leadership teams with strategy execution, and help our people continuously improve the way we operate. What You’ll Be Doing • Creating and sustaining a strong culture of Operational Excellence across the site • Leading the deployment of OE tools and methodologies including Six Sigma, SMED, 5S, Standard Work, RCA and Autonomous Maintenance • Using data analysis and structured problem-solving to identify improvements and remove waste • Supporting the delivery of the site OGSM through effective target setting, planning and performance management • Coaching and enabling colleagues and leaders to recognise opportunities and deliver improvement projects • Benchmarking site performance against the wider network to drive best practice • Working collaboratively with the site leadership team to influence, shape and deliver change • Embedding safety, quality and compliance standards within all improvement activity • Building capability across teams through training, facilitation, and mentoring • Leading improvement projects using DMAIC or equivalent project management approaches What We’re Looking For • Strong background in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement or Lean leadership within a complex operational environment • Ability to coach, influence and engage teams at all levels • Advanced problem-solving capability and a data-driven approach • Experience using OE methodologies (e.g. Six Sigma, lean tools, PDCA, waste elimination) • Strong communication skills with the confidence to challenge, support and inspire change • Strategic mindset with the ability to translate business goals into actionable plans • Resilient, proactive and collaborative working style Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt is advantageous. Why Join Us? This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on site performance and culture, shaping long-term ways of working and supporting strategic growth. You’ll work with talented teams, gain exposure across the business, and be part of a company committed to developing its people. You can find out more about Müller and what it’s like to work for us by clicking here Careers at Müller UK & Ireland