Location: Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP
Hybrid: 3 days per week onsite Salary: Competitive + benefit package
Help us solve complex problems and deliver improvements that matter
At United Utilities, we are continually looking for ways to improve how we operate, serve our customers and deliver value across our organisation.
We are looking for an experienced Business Improvement Partner who can work across a large, complex and multifaceted organisation to analyse the big problems and turn insight into measurable operational, customer and financial improvement recommendations.
You will be a strategic problem solver and trusted partner who can move between different business areas, understand how processes, people, data and systems connect, and help senior leaders focus on the opportunities that will deliver the greatest value.
You will combine Lean Six Sigma expertise, structured problem-solving, data analysis and stakeholder insight to uncover root causes, challenge existing ways of working and thinking, as well as develop practical, evidence-based recommendations.
What you’ll be doing
As a Business Improvement Partner, you will:
Translate complex and sometimes ambiguous challenges into clear problem statements and actionable recommendations.
Use Lean Six Sigma methodologies, structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to identify underlying issues.
Analyse operational, customer and performance data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
Facilitate workshops, discovery sessions and process reviews to understand the experiences and perspectives of different stakeholder groups.
Assess and prioritise opportunities based on business value, customer impact, risk, feasibility and strategic alignment.
Create compelling, data-led narratives and storyboards that help senior stakeholders understand problems, options and recommended solutions.
Develop evidence-based business cases and recommendations that support effective decision-making.
Lead, support or oversee improvement initiatives, selecting the most appropriate approach for each challenge.
Work collaboratively with operational, transformation, change, technology and project teams to support successful implementation.
Define success measures and benefits realisation plans, ensuring improvements are measurable, sustainable and embedded.
Coach leaders, managers and improvement champions in continuous improvement and structured problem-solving techniques.
Contribute to the continued development of our business improvement frameworks, tools and standards.
What we’re looking for
To be successful in this role, you must have:
A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt or equivalent recognised improvement qualification.
Significant experience applying Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies to real business challenges and delivering measurable outcomes.
Experience working within a large, complex and multifaceted organisation, ideally across several functions, business areas, sites or regulatory environments.
A strong track record in business improvement, operational excellence, process excellence, transformation or performance improvement.
Experience diagnosing complex problems, undertaking root cause analysis and developing practical, evidence-based solutions.
Strong data analysis skills, including the ability to interpret complex information and identify trends, risks and systemic issues.
Advanced or highly capable Microsoft Excel skills, with experience using data to support analysis (including sampling data out of systems), recommendations and decision-making.
Strong storyboarding and presentation skills, with the ability to turn complex analysis into a clear and persuasive narrative.
Excellent senior stakeholder management skills, including the ability to listen, understand different perspectives, build trust, challenge constructively and influence decisions.
Experience facilitating workshops, process reviews and discovery sessions with operational and senior stakeholders.
Previous experience supporting the integration of organisational processes, functions or systems.
The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on improvement delivery across multiple priorities.
A full UK driving licence, as ad hoc travel to United Utilities sites may be required.
The experience that could make you stand out
We are particularly interested in candidates who have developed broad experience by working across different functions, organisations, operational areas or sites.
Experience within one or more of the following environments would be beneficial:
Logistics and supply chain
Utilities or other regulated industries
Manufacturing
Construction and infrastructure
Retail operations
Large-scale service-based organisations
Customer-focused operational environments
You do not need to come from the water industry. What matters is your ability to navigate complexity, understand how different parts of an organisation interact and apply structured improvement methodologies to deliver sustainable results.
What you’ll bring
You will be curious, analytical and comfortable getting beneath the surface of a problem. You will understand that data is only part of the picture and will take the time to understand how stakeholders experience a challenge, why it matters to them and what may be preventing improvement.
You will be confident working with senior leaders while remaining close enough to operational teams to understand what is really happening. Most importantly, you will know how to turn insight into action and ensure improvements deliver lasting value.
If you are an experienced Lean Six Sigma practitioner who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering meaningful business improvement, we would love to hear from you.
Benefits
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."
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. Plus the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
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
Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship. As we expect a high volume of applications, we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity. If you would like further details on compensation please submit an application and contact the recruitment team for further information.
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