Operational Excellence Junior Manager

About The Team:

The Operational Excellence Junior Manager sits within the UK OPEX & Transformation team and plays a vital role in driving the commercial sizing, delivery, implementation, and continuous improvement of production technologies, processes, and business propositions across HelloFresh distribution centres in the UK, IE & EU markets. If you're someone who gets restless watching a problem go unsolved, who thrives in ambiguity, and who wants to look back in two years and say "I helped build that", you've found your place!

This is a hands-on, project-led role for someone who turns data into decisions and decisions into results on the floor. You'll build the commercial case for change and then deliver it, from initial scoping and business casing through to on-floor adoption, with a relentless focus on the metrics that matter most: Error Rate, Minutes per Box, and productivity.

What You Will Be Doing:

• End-to-End Project Delivery: Define project scope, milestones, and success measures to lead technical and non-technical projects from initiation through to successful implementation on time and within budget.
• Data Analysis & Actionable Insights: Analyse complex operational data using tools like Excel, Google Sheets, Grafana, Tableau, or SQL, translating these metrics into actionable business decisions and measurable KPI improvements.
• Opportunity Sizing: Identify and validate improvement opportunities through financial modelling and commercial analysis, building the business case for investment and prioritisation.
• Stakeholder Management & Collaboration: Lead and influence diverse, cross-functional teams and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders from shop-floor operatives up to senior management through disciplined meetings and clear, structured communication.
• Digital & Low-Code Innovation: Leverage AI tools, modern digital solutions, and low-code/no-code platforms (e.g., PowerApps, AppSheet) to build practical on-floor tools that bridge the gap between data insights and daily operations. We use AI daily and are constantly looking for better ways to do our jobs.
• Change Management & Floor Presence: Maintain a strong, visible presence on the production floor to drive change initiatives, ensure the sustainable adoption of new processes/technologies, and support trials or tests.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify, support and lead projects utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodologies to identify bottlenecks, eliminate waste, and drive a culture of continuous improvement on the shop floor.
• Risk & Issue Mitigation: Proactively recognize project risks and operational bottlenecks; create robust avoidance plans, take corrective measures early, and provide transparent status reporting to leadership.

Who You Are:

Education & Experience

• Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related technical field (preferred).
• Experience: 2-3 years of experience in manufacturing, high-volume fulfillment, or logistics sectors (preferred).
• Project Management: Proven experience leading or contributing to operational excellence, continuous improvement, or technology implementation projects (essential).

Technical Skills

• Project Management Qualification: (desirable but not essential).
• Lean Six Sigma: Strong practical knowledge of Lean Methodology, its tools, and standard work principles (formal certification is not mandatory; practical knowledge equivalent to Green/Yellow Belt level is essential)
• Data & Analytics: Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, Google Sheets, Grafana, Tableau, or SQL).
• Digital Aptitude: Familiarity with modern digital solutions, AI tools, and low-code/no-code application development (desirable but not essential).
• Systems Knowledge: Previous experience working with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) or Warehouse Control Systems (WCS) (desirable but not essential).

Core Competencies

• Roll-up-Your-Sleeves Attitude: You have a passion for combining analytical thinking with hands-on, real-time problem solving on a fast-paced production floor.
• Communication & Influence: You have an engaging, collaborative personality with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and effectively communicate complex updates to various audiences.
• Presentation: You have the ability to translate complex operational data into clear, commercial narratives for non-technical stakeholders
• Organisation: You are highly organised and detail-orientated, with a proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously.
• Comfortable with ambiguity: You can define the problem before someone hands you the answer.
• Low ego, high ownership: You'll get your hands dirty on the floor as readily as you'll present to senior leadership.
• Bias for action: You move fast, learn quickly and don't wait for perfect information
• Resilient under pressure: DC environments are fast-moving; you adapt without losing rigour.

What you will get in return:

● 70% off HelloFresh or Green Chef boxes
● Company pension scheme
● Gym membership
● Bupa private medical insurance (including dental & family cover options)
● Mental health first aiders and an employee assistance programme
● Nursery support scheme
● Cycle to work scheme
● Group Life Assurance

Location: The Windmill, 1 Holme Lane, Spondon, Derby, DE21 7HW

To be considered for this role, you’ll need to have the independent right to work in the UK, as we're unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship at this time.

Hybrid Working Policy
We offer a hybrid working policy for eligible roles, allowing flexibility to work from home and in the office. For more details on eligibility and how this applies to the role you're applying for, please consult with your recruiter.

Next steps: Your application will be reviewed and if successful, a member of the Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch within 2 weeks.

You are required to cooperate with HelloFresh in all health and safety matters. You are responsible for ensuring you take reasonable care of your own health, and safety as well as others who may be affected by the work activities you undertake. You must report incidents immediately and actively raise health and safety-related concerns to your Line Manager. As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment, we will process Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks to the successful individual. Failure to disclose relevant information at application or throughout the process could affect your employment with the company.

If you are currently a HelloFresh employee, please make sure you have discussed your application with your Line Manager.