Operational Excellence Manager

Operational Excellence Manager

  • Ashbourne, Derbyshire
  • Trouw Nutrition
  • Manufacturing
  • Full time
  • United Kingdom

Operational Excellence Manager

Job Description

Join Our Purpose – Feeding the Future

Nutreco is a member of the SHV family, and we are committed to 'Feeding the Future' through sustainable and innovative practices. Nutreco has two business lines: Skretting is a leading global provider of innovative aquafeed solutions, revolutionizing aquaculture for a sustainable future. Trouw Nutrition specializes in animal nutrition and is committed to advancing livestock health and productivity through cutting-edge solutions.

Are you passionate about driving operational excellence and continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment? Join Trouw Nutrition GB as an Operational Excellence Manager at our Ashbourne site. In this role, you will lead improvement initiatives, implement best practices, and support the site team to embed a culture of operational excellence.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Trouw Nutrition’s operational efficiency, support a growing team, and make a tangible impact on both business results and customer satisfaction.
 

About the Role – Drive Continuous Improvement and Efficiency
Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and execute the Operational Excellence masterplan for the Ashbourne site

  • Identify and deliver process improvements and cost-saving initiatives

  • Engage teams on Lean and continuous improvement practices, fostering a culture of operational excellence

  • Conduct diagnostics and assessments to identify opportunities aligned with business priorities.

  • Own the Operational Excellence projects end-to-end, from planning to implementation and follow-up

  • Collaborate with customers to optimize supply chain efficiency and deliver mutual benefits.

  • Analyse performance data, generate insights, and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.

  • Partner with cross-functional stakeholders, including Operations, Customer Service, and Planning, to ensure initiatives align with business goals.

  • Report progress and contribute to long-term operational strategies


Skills and Expertise
Qualifications and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related field.

  • 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or continuous improvement.

  • Proven track record in driving Lean, Operational Excellence, or process optimization initiatives.

  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data sets into actionable insights.

  • Hands-on experience with improvement tools such as 5S, TPM, or Value Stream Mapping are desirable

  • Lean certification preferred; Six Sigma Green/Black Belt is an advantage.

  • Experience in project management and cross-functional collaboration.

  • Soft skills: analytical and solutions-oriented, commercially aware, with strong communication. Resilient, adaptable, and proactive, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence
     

Other Requirements:

  • Availability for occasional travel within Great Britain and Europe

  • Work model: On-site, full-time (Ashbourne, UK)
     

Why You Will Love Working with Us
Global Benefits:

  • Full-time role in a supportive and dynamic environment

  • Opportunity to contribute to an international, dynamic environment

  • Competitive remuneration and benefits package.

  • Opportunities for professional growth within Nutreco and the SHV family
     

Next Steps:
We value a seamless candidate experience and aim to respond within five (5) business days. The hiring process typically takes 4–6 weeks. For more information, please contact Luisa Ligabo at luisa.ligabo@nutreco.com. We appreciate your interest in joining our mission to innovate and sustainably shape the future of food production

Read full vacancy

What happens next?

1
Successful application

Congratulations! Your application has successfully caught our attention. We are impressed by your skills and experiences, which suggest a great fit for our team. 

We'll be in touch soon with the next steps in the hiring process. Meanwhile, explore our website to learn more about our company culture and current projects. Thank you for considering a career with us!

2
On interview

You've made it to the interview stage! This is your chance to showcase your skills and learn more about Nutreco. Here are a few tips to prepare:

  • Research: Familiarize yourself with our purpose and recent projects.
  • Review: Understand the key responsibilities of the role.
  • Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready to demonstrate your interest.

We'll discuss your background and how you can contribute to our team. After the interview, we aim to provide feedback promptly. Best of luck!

3
Review

Thank you for your interest in joining us! Here’s a quick review of your journey so far:

  • Application: We were impressed by your credentials and potential contributions.
  • Interview: Your understanding of the role and your passion stood out. We are now finalizing our decisions and will contact you soon.

Your patience and enthusiasm are appreciated as we make our final considerations.

4
Welcome to the team

Welcome aboard! We are thrilled to have you join our team. You’ll be a key player in our exciting projects while bringing your expertise to the fore. 

Onboarding Highlights: 

  • Orientation: Learn about our culture and objectives. 
  • Team Meet: Connect with your colleagues. 
  • Training: Gain the tools to excel in your role. 

We are committed to supporting your growth and development. Your journey with us is just beginning, and we’re excited to see all you will achieve. Welcome to the team!

Still got questions?

Get in touch with:

Luisa Ligabò

Send me a message

Interested? Send us your application!

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