Operational Excellence Lead

The Role

Become the driving force behind operational excellence and continuous improvement within our Bioresource Operations team. As a key member of the leadership team, you’ll identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, streamline services, and lead the delivery of initiatives that truly make a difference.

In this role, you’ll take ownership of embedding operational excellence activities that align with our long‑term strategic goals, working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to deliver impactful change. You’ll also lead our operational regulatory compliance programme—building strong relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders to ensure we continue to operate to the highest standards. Alongside this, you’ll provide critical strategic forecasting and forward planning, anticipating risks and shaping the roadmap that ensures the successful delivery of our bioresources business plan.

Role Accountabilities

• Accountable for maintaining and driving operational improvements in compliance, efficiency and Health and Safety
• To ensure all Regulatory changes, policies and regulatory requirements are identified, actioned and implemented accordingly within Bioresource Operations, through developing close working relationships with appropriate areas of the business.
• Assist the development of the Bioresource Operations business plans.
• Own the regional outage strategy and annual outage calendar, aligning plans with operational priorities, asset criticality, and regulatory obligations.
• Lead cross functional outage reviews with Operations, Maintenance, Planning, and Commercial to minimise service risk and revenue impact.
• Develop risk-based outage scenarios and contingency plans.
• Coordinate permits, isolation plans, contractor mobilisation, and resource allocation in conjunction with operations to ensure safe and efficient execution.
• Monitor outage performance (schedule adherence, safety incidents, cost variance, rework) and implement lean six sigma methodology to prevent future reoccurrence.
• Lead weekly performance and compliance reviews and report performance, risks, and improvement actions to the operational leadership team
• Implement condition monitoring and process control strategies to optimise regional operational stability.
• Drive root cause analysis on operational risks and deliver corrective and preventive actions.
• Coordinate sampling plans, lab analysis, and data quality governance; ensure timely interventions on deviations.
• Champion optimisation trials and scale successful pilots into BAU.
• Own the regional regulatory testing plan ensuring full compliance with regulatory testing frequencies, methods, and accreditation.
• Maintain auditable records and produce timely, accurate submissions to regulators and internal governance forums.

Essential Skills & Experience

To be successful in this role, you’ll need to demonstrate the following:

• A relevant Degree (or equivalent experience)-A strong academic or practical foundation to understand complex operational environments.
• Operational and maintenance experience-A good understanding of operations and maintenance strategies, ideally with experience in a production‑line setting where you’ve had to react quickly and work in line with production needs.
• Knowledge of regulatory and legislative requirements-An understanding of the rules that govern Bioresource production assets and how they impact day‑to‑day operations.
• Project management capability-Experience leading or supporting projects. APM accreditation is a bonus, but a willingness to work towards it is essential.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills-The ability to interpret information, solve technical and managerial problems, and know when to involve specialist colleagues.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder skills-Confidence working with a wide range of people—building relationships, influencing decisions, and presenting information clearly.
• Resilience and the ability to work under pressure-Someone who stays calm, focused, and solution‑driven, even when things get challenging.
• Self‑motivation and a results‑focused approach-You take ownership, drive progress, and follow things through to delivery.
• Logical and strategic thinking-Comfortable seeing the bigger picture, spotting patterns, and planning ahead.
• Experience in an operational environment-A background where you’ve been responsible for maintaining high levels of quality, compliance, and operational performance.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

About Us

Salary - Competitive Salary
Work Type - Hybrid
Job Location - Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, Trafford Way, Urmston, Manchester, M17 8DD
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.5 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.