At United Utilities, we don’t just supply water we support communities, protect the environment, and help shape a resilient future for millions of people across the North West. To keep delivering on that promise, we’re investing in people who are passionate about improvement, innovation, and making a real impact.
That’s where you come in.
About the roleAs an Operational Excellence Specialist, you’ll be at the heart of transforming how we work. You’ll champion continuous improvement across our business, using data, insight, and collaboration to drive smarter, safer, and more efficient ways of working.
This is a role for someone who loves solving problems, influencing change, and helping teams unlock their full potential. You’ll work across a wide range of operational areas, supporting colleagues to embed best practice and deliver measurable results across a variety of business areas.
What you’ll be doing*Leading, and delivering improvement projects that enhance performance, reliability, and customer experience
*Using Lean, Six Sigma, and other improvement methodologies to identify opportunities and remove inefficiencies
*Coaching and supporting teams across the business to build capability and embed a culture of continuous improvement
*Analysing data to uncover trends, root causes, and opportunities for optimisation
*Working closely with leaders to align improvement activity with strategic goals
*Sharing success stories and helping spread best practice across the organisation
What we’re looking for*Experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, or process optimisation
*Strong knowledge of improvement tools and methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, etc.)
*A natural collaborator who can influence, engage, and inspire teams at all levels
*Confident problem-solver with a data-driven mindset
*Someone who thrives in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment
*A passion for making things better for colleagues, customers, and the environment
*You’ll need a driving licence and the ability to attend project meetings across our North West sites as required
What you’ll get in return*A competitive salary and excellent benefits package
*26 days’ holiday rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays
*Up to 14% employer pension contribution (21% combined)
*Gym discounts, EV car scheme, ShareBuy and flexible benefits
*Up to 10.5% bonus and private medical care
*Hybrid working and flexibility to support your work life balance
*Opportunities for professional development
*The chance to make a meaningful difference to communities across the North West
*A supportive, inclusive culture where your ideas are valued and your contribution matters
Why United UtilitiesWe’re proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s most responsible businesses. From investing in green innovation to protecting our region’s natural environment, we’re committed to doing the right thing for our customers, our people, and our planet.
Join us and help shape the future of water for generations to come.