Operational Excellence Specialist

Welcome to Haleon. We’re a purpose-driven, world-class consumer company putting everyday health in the hands of millions. In just three years since our launch, we’ve grown, evolved and are now entering an exciting new chapter – one filled with bold ambitions and enormous opportunity.

Our trusted portfolio of brands – including Sensodyne®, Panadol®, Advil®, Voltaren®, Theraflu®, Otrivin®, and Centrum® – lead in resilient and growing categories. What sets us apart is our unique blend of deep human understanding and trusted science.

Now it’s time to fully realise the full potential of our business and our people. We do this through our Win as One strategy. It puts our purpose – to deliver better everyday health with humanity – at the heart of everything we do. It unites us, inspires us, and challenges us to be better every day, driven by our agile, performance-focused culture.

Operational Excellence Specialist

About the role

The Operational Excellence (OPEX) Specialist role is a critical role in the OPEX Team at the Site, and will report into the Site Operational Excellence Manager.  This role is fundamental in executing the Continuous Improvement Plans for the Site, to achieve its growth and profitability objectives.

Role Description

The Operational Excellence Specialist will aid in the implementation the HAPS (Haleon Performance System) principles/tools at the site to deliver the Business Strategy, improve Business Performance (Safety, Quality, Service, & Cost), by using a data-driven approach.  This role will also be crucial in managing operational ways of working and executing productivity initiatives that align with the site's goals.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and facilitate cross-functional improvement projects using Lean tools (Problem Solving, PDCA, SMED, 5S, AM, Centre-Lining, etc.), and conduct daily/weekly performance management meetings to ensure consistent and sustained improvements.
• Rapidly create, improve, and update operational ways of working (WoW) to simplify processes, enhance efficiency, and streamline operations.
• Foster continuous improvement culture by managing a robust performance system (HAPS) and encouraging teams to propose improvement ideas.
• Identify and eliminate all types of waste within operations processes and implement strategies to eliminate them using CI tools.
• Collect data, implement sustainable measuring processes, and report trends of the main key performance indicators (including OEE % and Yield %) to assess opportunities and track the success of execution.
• Collaborate with operations stakeholders to embed effective visual performance management boards (PDCA board) and problem-solving methodology.
• Building capabilities of workforce via LSW, SOPs, and Lean tools training: coaching teams and individuals on best practices for operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate in the site implementation efforts of digital tools in support of HAPS.
• Conduct daily GEMBA walks to identify safety, quality, efficiency, and waste opportunities.

Qualifications and skills

• Engineering Degree and/or 5 years of experience in Manufacturing environment.
• Recent experience in FMCG Operations/OpEx type roles would be desirable.
• Knowledge of minimum safety and quality requirements in the FMCG sector.
• Proven experience in Operational Excellence Systems execution, such as TPM, WCM, Lean, PDCA or Six Sigma project management.
• Proven capability in operations performance improvement (e.g. OEE, waste reduction, productivity), problem-solving methodology, and creating lean, easy-to-follow work standards for operators while adhering to safety and quality requirements.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification would be desirable.
• IT Skills: Proficiency in Excel, Power BI, OEE % data collection systems.
• Basic Project Management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills to enable effective and influential internal communication, from shopfloor to Functional Manager level.
• Capable of drive cross-functional teams, operating in a data-driven manner, team working and constantly prioritize the activities/projects.
• Ability to train personnel involved in operational areas.
• Good knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Communication: Good oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate and relate to multiple Levels in the organization.

 Job Posting End Date

Equal Opportunities

Haleon are committed to mobilising our purpose in a way that represents the diverse consumers and communities who rely on our brands every day. It guides us in creating an inclusive culture, where different backgrounds and views are valued and respected – all in support of understanding and best serving the needs of our consumers and unleashing the full potential of our people. It’s important to us that Haleon is a place where all our employees feel they truly belong.

During the application process, we may ask you to share some personal information, which is entirely voluntary. This information ensures we meet certain regulatory and reporting obligations and supports the development, refinement, and execution of our inclusion and belonging programmes that are open to all Haleon employees. 

The personal information you provide will be kept confidential, used only for legitimate business purposes, and will never be used in making any employment decisions, including hiring decisions.

Adjustment or Accommodations Request

If you require a reasonable adjustment or accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at Haleon at any stage of the application process, please let your recruiter know by providing them with a description of specific adjustments you are requesting. We’ll provide all reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process and treat all information you provide us in confidence. 

Note to candidates

The Haleon recruitment team will contact you using a Haleon email account (@haleon.com). If you are not sure whether the email you received is from Haleon, please get in touch.