Operations Excellence Director
Job Description
Heidelberg Materials UK (formerly Hanson UK) is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of construction materials, employing over 4,000 people and operating around 300 manufacturing sites in the UK.
We are committed to building a more sustainable future and recognise that a diverse workforce is vital to our growth and advancement. We aim to promote a culture that values openness, transparency and individual achievement.
At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.
Operations Excellence Director South
Competitive Salary + Bonus + Company Car
Are you ready to lead transformation at scale and redefine what operational excellence looks like?
This is more than a role it’s a career-defining opportunity.
We’re looking for a standout Operations Excellence Director to take ownership of a critical national function spanning Aggregates, Asphalt and Recycling. You’ll operate at the centre of business performance, driving large-scale transformation, delivering best-in-class capital execution, and unlocking significant, sustainable value across a complex, high-impact operation. This is a role for someone who doesn't just improve performance but defines it
Sitting at the heart of business transformation, you’ll lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary function spanning:
- Aggregates, Asphalt & Recycling Performance
- Capital Project Management (CapEx)
- Land Surveying
- Electrical Operations Support
- Heavy Mobile Equipment (HME) Fleet
You’ll bring these capabilities together to drive productivity, efficiency, and innovation setting the benchmark for Operational Excellence across the organisation.
What You’ll Be Doing
Strategic Leadership
- Define and deliver the vision for Operations Excellence aligned to business priorities
- Build a high-performing function with strong governance, reporting and accountability
Operational Performance
- Champion LEAN methodologies (TIMWOODS, Kaizen, benchmarking)
- Lead plant optimisation initiatives to increase efficiency and EBIT performance
- Embed continuous improvement culture across all sites
CapEx Delivery
- Own the delivery of major capital programmes end-to-end
- Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget
Technical & Operational Support
- Oversee critical support services including surveying, electrical and HME fleet
- Ensure resources are aligned to operational priorities
Stakeholder Impact
- Partner with senior leadership, operations and engineering teams
- Champion Voice of Customer and Critical to Quality (CTQ) thinking
Safety & Compliance
- Lead with a safety-first mindset
- Ensure full compliance with HSE and engineering standards
What Success Looks Like
- Measurable improvement in plant KPIs and operational efficiency
- Consistent delivery of major CapEx projects to time, cost and quality
- Tangible increase in Return on Capital Employed (RCO / EBIT)
- Strong stakeholder confidence and engagement
- High-performing, motivated and collaborative team
- Industry-leading safety performance
Why Join us?
At Heidelberg Materials, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers. As a global leader in construction materials, we’re committed to innovation, sustainability, and, above all, our people.
Rewards & Benefits
We’re proud to be recognised as an Employer of Choice, with accreditations including:
- Armed Forces Covenant (Gold) | Disability Confident | 5% Club (Platinum) | Mates in Mind | Clear Assured | STEM Ambassador | MPQC Member
- Competitive Package: Salary, bonus incentives, generous pension, and life assurance
- Work-Life Balance: 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays), agile/flexible working, holiday purchase, and sabbatical options, Season and travel ticket loans
- Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced support for maternity, paternity, adoption, IVF, neonatal care, and menopause
- Inclusive Culture: Paid volunteering day and active employee communities (LGBTQ+, Women in STEM, Armed Forces, and more)
- Wellbeing & Development: Employee Assistance Programme, retail discounts, and continuous learning opportunities