Operational Excellence Manager

Smiths Interconnect is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance interconnect solutions. Our products are used in critical applications in industries such as aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and industrial markets. At Smiths Interconnect, we are committed to innovation, quality and providing cutting-edge solutions that connect the world's most demanding systems.

Smiths Interconnect is part of the Smiths Group. For more than 170 years, Smiths has been at the forefront of engineering progress for a better future. We serve millions of people each year, to help create a safer, more efficient and productive world, and better connected in four global markets: energy, security and defense, space and aerospace, and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs c.16,000 colleagues in more than 50 countries.

Job Purpose

The Operational Excellence function at Smiths Interconnect is responsible for implementing the Smiths Excellence System (SES) and Lean tools across all sites. Its goal is to support business needs by working closely with all functions and locations to drive continuous improvement and optimize value streams. This helps the organization scale operations, improve efficiency, and manage risk while ensuring compliance and accurate reporting.

The function also promotes accountability for processes across the business. Team members are expected to bring a practical, commercial approach—balancing governance and best practices with flexibility and speed in a fast-moving, innovative environment.

Responsibilities

• Implement and deploy SES and Lean tools across all sites, ensuring alignment with business strategy and maximizing commercial impact.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives that improve process efficiency, scalability, and compliance.
• Lead and influence cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable improvements in performance, quality, and cost.
• Empower and upskill internal teams through structured training in SES, Lean, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Mentor Six Sigma belts and project teams, facilitating workshops and Kaizen events to drive hands-on learning and results.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across all levels of the organization.
• Analyze existing processes, identify inefficiencies, and develop business cases for improvement initiatives.
• Lead Six Sigma and Lean projects focused on risk reduction, efficiency gains, inventory optimization, and NPI integration.
• Utilize tools such as value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and performance metrics to guide decision-making.
• Partner with Production, Engineering, Quality, HR, and Supply Chain to align improvement efforts with operational goals.
• Facilitate the development of end-to-end value stream maps and action plans to enhance customer performance and business outcomes.
• Support project hopper creation and prioritization using frameworks like the Y-Tree.
• Develop and track metrics to measure process performance and identify future improvement opportunities.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses and report on project outcomes to leadership and stakeholders.
• Deliver presentations and training sessions on measurement, analysis, improvement, and control techniques.
• Actively participate in the global SES Community of Practice, sharing best practices and supporting the success of other belts.
• Survey and analyze industry best practices to inform internal strategies and drive innovation.
• Ensure consistency and effectiveness in SES deployment across sites.

Required
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Business Administration, or a Technical Discipline (i.e. IE, EE, ME, QE) is required or commensurate experience.

Demonstrated experience in related/similar role in Lean/Six-Sigma, Engineering, Operations or Quality field in a manufacturing setting. Aerospace, defense, space experience.

Ability to travel domestically and internationally