Senior Operational Excellence Manager

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Operational Excellence Manager

Location: Filton or Frimley Hybrid- 2 days minimum per week on site onsite with flexibility needed, occasional UK travel with expenses paid

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £60,500+ (DOE)

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role Description:

You’ll play a pivotal role in driving Operational Excellence across ICS, progressing impactful change and solving highly detailed assignments that directly support programme delivery. You will work across multiple platforms and functions, using practical problem-solving approaches to improve safety, cost, delivery and performance, while enabling teams to build capability and deliver sustainable improvements.

You’ll oversee a team within the OpEx hub, engaging with stakeholders up to senior executive level and influencing change across the business. In this role, you will challenge the current ways of working in a highly regulated environment to help shape how BAE Systems delivers more efficiently and effectively, your responsibility in this opportunity will make a real difference at scale.

Core duties:

• You will advocate Operational Excellence values, embedding continuous improvement across safety, quality, cost, delivery and people
• You’ll evaluate performance indicators to identify improvement opportunities, driving targeted priorities aligned to business and customer priorities
• You oversee and coordinate OpEx programmes, ensuring projects are delivered, governed and aligned to strategic targets
• Your role includes engaging stakeholders and executive teams, building understanding and adoption of OpEx practices
• You support, coach and develop teams, strengthening capability and embedding a culture of continuous improvement

Essential Skills:

• You bring experience in Operational Excellence, continuous improvement or transformation within manufacturing or regulated industries
• You will hold Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, applying methodologies to drive measurable business improvements
• You’ll demonstrate considerable mentorship experience, coaching teams and influencing stakeholders from shopfloor through to executive level
• Your background includes overseeing improvement programmes, project delivery and supporting business case development and benefit tracking
• You apply effective change and stakeholder engagement, communicating with teams and embedding sustainable improvements across the organisation
• Expect to bring relevant qualifications or experience, such as engineering degrees or change management certifications, supporting strategic delivery

The ICS Operational Excellence Team:

You will be joining the ICS Operational Excellence team, where you’ll work at the centre of business change, solving real programme tasks and driving improvement across all platforms. You’ll collaborate with the senior authority, oversee transformation goals and help teams deliver faster, smarter outcomes, offering high visibility, impact and considerable career growth opportunities.

We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 7th April 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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