Operational Excellence Manager – SCIHS/SBA/OEM01

Job Title: Operational Excellence Manager                      

Function: Strategy, Change and In Hospital Services                 

Location: Hybrid – 1-2 days within Equinox House, Nottingham                

Contract type:  Perm          

Salary: 56,476 with the potential to rise to £66,443 over 3 years                 

Closing Date:  17th July 2026          

  

NHS Supply Chain currently has an opportunity for an Operational Excellence Manager to join 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  

 

• Lead directorate-wide transformation cycles to embed Operational Excellence principles delivering simpler, smarter and more connected ways of working that unlock measurable value. 
• Identify and eliminate root causes of inefficiency through structured problem solving, data insight and low-cost, high-impact improvement initiatives aligned to strategic priorities. 
• Design and embed end-to-end “to-be” processes across functions, ensuring effective integration of change and seamless transition into sustainable BAU operations. 
• Build organisational capability at scale through coaching, training and development of practitioners (e.g. Green Belts), equipping teams with tools, standards, and confidence to continuously improve. 
• Engage, influence, and mobilise stakeholders to adopt Operational Excellence ways of working, using data, clear standards and strong communication to drive ownership and sustained performance improvement. 

  

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 colleague recognition 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) 

 

• Strong track record leading high-performing technical project teams and delivering successful outcomes within complex environments  
• Experienced in driving operational and transactional service improvements, including system and process optimisation  
• Highly analytical with advanced problem-solving capabilities, able to develop and implement effective business solutions  
• Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal gravitas, capable of influencing senior stakeholders and leading change initiatives  
• Proven expertise in continuous improvement methodologies (e.g. process/value stream mapping), coaching others, and project planning/management 

  

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.