ROLE: Operational & Business Excellence Specialist (for a ‘Large Lean Business of the Year’ Winner)
LOCATION: Kilkenny
Are you passionate about driving real, lasting change in a fast-paced, complex manufacturing environment? One of Ireland’s most significant and advanced processing sites is looking for a dynamic and motivated Operational and Business Excellence professional to join its team. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of a major operational facility, helping to shape strategy and deliver impactful improvement across a complex, multi-site operation.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
As a key member of the Business Excellence function, you’ll play a central role in shaping and driving the Business Excellence agenda across a high-complexity, multi-plant processing operation. Reporting into the Business Excellence Manager, you’ll support the delivery of strategic priorities through structured problem-solving, cost and value improvement projects, and continuous improvement (CI) initiatives.
This is a hands-on, high-visibility role that will require you to build strong relationships across four individual plants, influence senior stakeholders, and challenge the status quo, all while maintaining a pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset. You’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact on the ground, while also contributing to longer-term site strategy and operational maturity.
You’ll work closely with functional and operational leads across the site, helping them embed Lean principles, identify and close performance gaps, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Flexibility, curiosity, and a proactive mindset will be essential to thrive in this environment.
* Act as a core member of the Site Leadership Team, contributing to site-wide strategy, planning, and performance improvement.
* Delivery of continuous improvement and business excellence in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
* Work as part of a highly motivated and experienced Business Excellence team as well as site-based stakeholders to bring continuous improvement to life each day.
* Drive the Business Excellence agenda across multiple on-site plants, supporting functional teams to embed continuous improvement and Lean thinking in day-to-day operations.
* Lead and support key cost optimisation and value creation initiatives to protect the business against inflationary pressures, energy costs, and other operational challenges.
* Facilitate structured problem-solving initiatives using tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), A3 Reports, DMAIC, and other Lean Six Sigma methodologies (training and support will be provided where needed).
* Coordinate and support the annual site maturity assessment process, identifying gaps versus best practice frameworks and drive targeted improvement initiatives.
* Contribute to the development of KPIs, strategic direction statements, and monthly governance reporting to ensure alignment and accountability across the site.
ABOUT THE PERSON:
Experience and Qualifications:
This role is ideal for someone who has built strong foundational experience in continuous improvement, operations, or business transformation and is now ready to step up into a broader role. You may not have all the answers yet, but you’re curious, capable, and committed to learning.
You’ll need the confidence to sit at the leadership table and the ability to roll up your sleeves and work directly with site teams.
Key qualities and experience include:
* A strong problem solver with a practical understanding of CI tools such as RCA, DMAIC, A3, or similar (formal Lean Six Sigma training is a bonus but not essential).
* Able to influence, coach and challenge in a constructive, respectful way — even when the message is tough.
* Someone who’s motivated by improvement and has the drive to "agitate for change" in a complex environment.
* Experience in a manufacturing or operational environment (especially in food, agriculture) would be highly beneficial.
* Comfortable navigating and building relationships across multiple teams and departments, often with competing priorities.
* Open, flexible, and able to adapt your working style to the needs of a busy, high-performance site.
Educational background:
* Third level qualification or relevant experience in Lean, Six Sigma, Process Improvement, Project Management.
* Minimum Lean Six Sigma Yellow or Green belt certified is a requirement for this role.
* Must have experience delivering in a lean environment in a manufacturing organisation either directly in industry or a consulting capacity.
* Knowledge of the Shingo mode, experience in change management and/or Project Management are an advantage.
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