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Katie Dawber

@katiedawber

Senior Operational Excellence practitioner driving measurable cost savings, clearer processes, and motivated teams through Lean Six Sigma.

United Kingdom

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role where I can combine creativity, collaboration, and CI expertise to drive meaningful change—improving processes, reducing errors and costs, and building capability through clear communication with leaders and teams.

I’m a Senior Operational Excellence (OPEX) Practitioner and Continuous Improvement professional who builds trust fast and simplifies complex ideas into practical ways of working. I lead end-to-end improvement reviews using Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC, RCA, pilots, and measurement) and translate findings into action, aligning regularly with director-level sponsors.

Across supply chain, complaints, frontline claims, and retail operations, I’ve driven measurable results—£285k savings through a 7.5 FTE reduction, improved complaint resolution from 6% to 54% with a new 0–3-day team, and reduced parcel shortages from 5% to below 3%. I also create engaging, visual customer-journey mapping formats, run PDCA training, and build capability through training programmes (200+ colleagues), strengthening internal buy-in and sustainable change.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Senior OPEX Practitioner

Current

AXA Insurance

Sep 2021 - Present (4 years 9 months)

Led end-to-end improvement reviews across supply chain, complaints, and frontline claims using DMAIC, including a new 0–3-day complaints team that improved resolution from 6% to 54%. Delivered £285k (7.5 FTE) savings and redesigned end-to-end customer journeys to reduce errors and chase time.

Process Mapping data review Customer Journey Mapping Operational Excellence Workshop Facilitation SharePoint

Productivity Analyst

Matalan

Nov 2018 - Sep 2021 (2 years 10 months)

Mapped store and head-office processes and used time-and-motion studies to identify operational waste, improving operational consistency with manuals and training guides. Drove Click & Collect trials, delivered a 50% storage capacity increase, and supported COVID store fulfillment generating 1,009,600 units in a single week while reducing parcel shortages from 5% to below 3%.

Time Studies Process Mapping Change Management Training Design Click & Collect Data Analysis Stakeholder Management Supplier Trials Operational Reporting

Trading Process Assistant

Matalan

Apr 2012 - Nov 2018 (6 years 7 months)

Owned end-to-end garment re-processing and drove £348k savings through redesigned processes and targeted training. Built process visibility using Visio, implemented SharePoint and super-user sessions to embed new systems, and supported IT change by translating technical issues into business language.

Process Mapping Visio SharePoint Training Delivery Reason Code Governance User Support Data Quality