Operational Excellence Lead

Salary & Benefits: Salary £44,254 to £55,318 per annum dependant on experience, company car through company car lease scheme, annual bonus, attractive pension scheme (Up to 10% company contribution), life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary and 25 days annual leave, bank holidays), plus a wellness day and development opportunities in line with the Operational Excellence Lead progression plan. We also offer a fantastic flexible benefits package, where you can choose from benefits such as health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover. Colleagues also have access to a retail savings scheme, online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: The role is a flexible hybrid working arrangement, although there is an expectation that approximately 50% of your time will be spent working across our operational WWTW sites from where your team(s) operate in the Yorkshire region. Please note the site you will be based at, will be decided by your home location. A full UK driving license (with no more than 6 points) is an essential requirement of this role, with the ability to travel between sites.

Work type: We have twoOperational Excellence Lead vacancies, one permanent opportunity and one 2 year fixed term/secondment opportunity working 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

Do you have a keen eye for process improvement, can build business cases from the ground up and break down silos to drive sustainable business performance? If so, our Operational Excellence Lead role could be for you?

Within the Operational Excellence team, we pride ourselves on delivering a dynamic and adaptable service to meet the needs of a fast-paced Operational department. Based within the Wastewater Asset Management department, you’ll work alongside data experts and a project function to deliver multi-disciplinary programmes that reduce operational risk, release capacity, tackle cost inflation and help Yorkshire Water achieve our strategic goals. If this sounds like you, keep reading.

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. Asset Management are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

As an Operational Excellence Lead role, you will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations in the wastewater portfolio team. This involves coming up with ideas and implementing strategies to ensure that best practices are understood and integrated into the day-to-day operations.

The Operational Excellence Lead must also think from a customer's perspective and ensure that the plans and strategies developed meet the needs and expectations of both internal and external stakeholders. The overall aim is to drive better customer service while optimizing operational processes.

Where you fit in:

As our Operational Excellence Lead some of the key responsibilities you will have will include but are not limited to:

• Subject matter expert for continuous improvement ensuring projects are designed to deliver organisational and functional goals and commitments using the right method.
• Manage and coordinate assigned initiatives on a day-to-day basis according to company governance standards.
• Subject matter expert of the principles of lean and process excellence, working closely with all key stakeholders to ensure Operational Excellence.
• Share best practices internally and externally to drive continuous improvements and excellence.
• Manage internal and external stakeholders, and communications at all levels, to ensure effective delivery of initiatives.
• Accountable for supporting the team Project function to accurately forecast key change initiative information, updating any agreed documentation to feed into relevant programme function including Delivery Assurance Group (DAG) and Directorate Programme Board.
• Facilitate decision making through accurate data and use of statistical analysis to support improvement opportunities and inform business cases.
• Identify, track, and report benefits that align with Outcome Delivery Incentives (ODI), business plans and performance commitments.
• Assist in managing budgets and resource plans for senior stakeholders and sponsors.
• Engage regularly with the Initiative Sponsor to escalate risks, key choices, and maintain momentum on initiative progression.
• Responsible for adhering to the agreed business quality assurance standards and facilitating effective initiative audit reviews.
• Champion the adoption of new technology and processes to support improvements in performance, identifying innovative ways of working, processes, and systems.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Experience in driving continuous improvement projects using lean techniques such as Kaizen, Kanban, and Six Sigma.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced operational environment and deliver stretching financial commitments.
• Experience with developing and implementing projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in developing industry standard best practices and implementing them within operational teams.
• Ability to work with transformational programs and incorporate processes and technology.
• Organized and skilled in planning within set Governance frameworks.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, from front-line operations to directorate level.
• Resilient and adaptable in dealing with unforeseen obstacles in an operational environment.
• Proven collaborator with the ability to build strong networks across different business units to reduce silos.
• Experience in value enhancing techniques that deliver sustainable benefits and a track record of successful delivery.

You will also benefit from having:

• Knowledge of change management principles and methodologies
• Understanding of Lean and Operational Excellence Methodology
• Black Belt Lean Six Sigma qualification (or equivalent)
• In-depth knowledge of the Wastewater environment
• Experience in change management
• Experience in project management or qualification in APM (or equivalent)

If you’re an experienced continuous improvement professional and want to help us deliver exceptional service for our customers whilst protecting the environment, then apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer for you.

We are proud to serve the Yorkshire region and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds to apply.

If you feel this opportunity is suitable and you match the skills required, then please apply online and complete the application process. Please upload an up-to-date copy of your CV, outlining your relevant experience for the role.

Recruitment Process:

Closing Date: 31st January

Interviews: TBC

Company Information

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

Kelda Group values equality, diversity, and inclusion we believe that everyone should be treated with respect. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of gender, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, religion or belief and trade union membership.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.