Operational Excellence Manager

The Opportunity

This is a brand-new exciting opportunity, in which the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving Polo Works' operational effectiveness, process efficiency, productivity, utilisation, profitability, and automation opportunities. This role involves a strategic approach to enhance performance across all operational areas, including the development and implementation of effective reporting mechanisms to monitor and evaluate performance metrics continuously.

This is a great opportunity for a person with proven experience within Operational Excellence to really make their mark within the business.

We are a people-centric culture of togetherness, empowerment and involvement. It is our team that makes Polo Works.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the analysis and optimisation of operational processes to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

Implement best practices and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance operational performance.

Develop strategies to optimise resource utilisation and increase productivity across the organisation.

Work closely with the finance and operational teams to identify and implement cost-saving measures.

Drive initiatives that significantly contribute to the organization's bottom line.

Identify opportunities for automation within operational processes, enhancing accuracy and efficiency.

Lead automation projects from conception through to implementation, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.

Develop and implement a comprehensive reporting system to monitor operational performance against key metrics.

Regularly review performance reports, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.

Foster a culture of excellence and innovation within the organisation.

Collaborate with various departments to ensure the alignment of operational strategies with overall business objectives.

Experience & Skills

Previous experience in operational excellence, process improvement, or a similar role, preferably in a related industry.

Proven track record of implementing successful process improvement and automation initiatives.

Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies are highly desirable.

Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with an ability to use data to inform decisions.

Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.

Proficiency in process mapping and performance measurement tools.

Demonstrates behaviours aligned to the Polo Works PRIDE values:

• Pioneering – we don’t stand still
• Responsible – We do the right thing
• Inclusive – we all play a role
• Delivery Focussed- we provide services we are proud of
• Empowering – we equip people to be their best

What you’ll get in return

As well as a competitive salary, discretionary annual bonus, and 25 days of annual leave (with the option to buy more), you will also get an excellent benefits package, including flexible, hybrid working, private health insurance, life assurance, income protection, enhanced pension contributions, and occupational maternity and paternity pay.

You will also have access to company volunteering days, an employee assistance programme with retail discounts and savings, a generous employee referral scheme, regular sports and social events, and free Cheltenham bus travel.

Who are Polo Works?

Polo Works is the leading provider of UK-based support services to the insurance market. We have built a strong reputation as dedicated and dependable experts in our field. We pride ourselves on our ability to be flexible, responsive, and knowledgeable.

As a leading service support company and turnkey managing agency, our clients choose us because our staff not only have the expertise but also a profound affinity with their business challenges. Our mission is to support, inspire, and develop the insurers of today and tomorrow.

Our clients, whether digital start-ups or well-established organisations, rely on the Polo Works team to develop and strengthen their businesses. Our clients' goals are our goals. As such we design and deliver bespoke solutions to their specific business challenges.

With offices in London and Cheltenham, Polo works has ambitious growth plans, offering exciting opportunities for anyone joining us on the next phase of our journey.

It's our mission to unleash the potential in every team, and we know that teams perform best when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. It is the unique contributions of all PoloWorks colleagues that drive our success, and we are committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone is empowered to do meaningful work and are recognised for their efforts. To that end, we are committed to providing an environment free of discrimination for everyone.