Job Posted: 18 July 2025
Job Updated: 18 July 2025

Job Title Operational Excellence Manager

Function: Strategy & Business Architecture

Location: Nottingham/Hybrid

Contract type: Secondment/12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Salary: £54,884 with potential to rise to £64,570 over 3 years

Closing Date: Friday 1 st August 2025

NHS Supply Chain currently has an opportunity for an Operational Excellence Manager tojoin our team during an exciting period of transformation, working to make it easier for the NHS to put patients first and to deliver against our strategic objectives.

We are seeking an experienced Operational Excellence Manager who will be responsible for the delivery of continuous improvement initiatives that enhance process performance, reduce waste and drive business value and impact for the wider NHS. Working under the guidance of the Operational Excellence Lead, this role collaborates with teams across functions to execute process improvement projects, facilitate workshops and embed Lean and Six Sigma principles within day-to-day operations

Every day you will …

• Lead the business in identifying, quantifying, and eliminating root causes through innovative and low-cost improvements within an agreed change program.
• Develop and embed to-be processes covering all related business functions.
• Assist with the development of business requirements based on learnings from business change requirements.
• Problem solve and facilitate the to-be processes for any new system implementations and embed into BAU.
• Provide coaching and support to develop functional Green belt practitioners.
• Carry out complex data analysis to support the business in making data led decisions and to equip them with appropriate KPIs and reporting for improvements to be sustained.
• Embed and drive performance with impact through the quantification of benefits and growth of our people.
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement by identifying stakeholders; by finding out their needs, issues, and concerns; and by reacting to these needs, issues, and concerns, arranging meetings and events and drafting supporting materials to promote understanding and commitment.

What can we offer you?

We want to reward you for your passion, enthusiasm, and hard work so we offer much more than a competitive salary:

• Hybrid working opportunities, giving you the flexibility to work collaboratively in the office and remotely.
• We recognise our employees’ hard work and contributions with annual bonus schemes, long service, and VIP colleagues awards.
• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days.
• We are dedicated to your development, through in-house training, support, and access to external qualifications to maximise your potential.
• A focus on your well-being offering 1 day of paid well-being leave and free access to the 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous pension scheme (with us contributing 12% when you contribute 6%)
• Access to our Flexible Benefits Scheme, where you can choose from a variety of benefits such as Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Health Cash Plan, Dental Insurance, and additional pension contributions that suit you.
• 2 days of paid volunteering leave allowing you to give back to your community.
• Access to many discounts from the Blue Light Card to NHS Discounts.

NHS Supply Chain, who are we?

Our role is to support the NHS to save lives and improve health. We are a part of the NHS family, and our role is to source, deliver and supply healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales.

We serve every NHS Trust and operate a national network of distribution centres, managing relationships with more than a thousand suppliers and delivering more than 8,000,000 orders each year to more than 17,000 locations.Doing all of this on behalf of the NHS gives NHS staff more time to focus on their main priority of providing excellent patient care.

What skills will help you thrive in this role?

Expert knowledge of Lean Sigma tools and methods (Black Belt Level minimum)

• Previous experience of managing high performing project teams of technical experts
• Experience in delivering transactional service improvements across operating systems would be advantageous.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the acumen to develop effective business solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the gravitas to communicate effectively with senior Managers and senior external stakeholders.
• An aptitude for coaching others
• Experience of process mapping, value Stream mapping, use of Problem Solving and Diagnostic tools with a solid track record in delivering continuous improvement within large complex operations.
• Well-developed engagement skills, with the ability to influence and lead change both internally and externally
• Proven ability in the analysis and re-engineering of systems, processes, and procedures.
• A good understanding of project planning/project management

Want to develop your career with the NHS Supply Chain? Then apply below or reach out for an informal discussion about the role in confidence by emailing us atCareers@supplychain.nhs.uk

Our Inclusive Commitment

At NHS Supply Chain, we are committed to building an inclusive environment where difference is not only valued, but celebrated, giving everyone the opportunity to thrive in their career. Developing our people is key to our success, so if this role sounds like the right next step in your career but your experience doesn’t match perfectly with the job advert, we encourage you to still apply.

Struggling to complete our application form, and require additional support? Reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at careers@supplychain.nhs.uk who will be happy to help you with alternative ways to apply.

We reserve the right to close any vacancy from further submissions when we have received sufficient applications from which to make a shortlist. Please apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.

SCCL is a company Registered in England and Wales, with company number 10881715, to act as the management function of the NHS Supply Chain.