Continuous Improvement and Health & Safety Manager

Continuous Improvement, Health & Safety & Purchasing Lead £45,000–£55,000 DOE | Workshop‑based – Lowestoft, Suffolk | Permanent, Full‑Time A long‑established specialist manufacturer of high‑value, bespoke vehicles is entering a period of operational transformation and we’re hiring a hands‑on Continuous Improvement, Health & Safety & Purchasing Lead to drive that change from the shop floor up. This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of CI, H&S and purchasing in a business that is ready for improvement, open to challenge and committed to building sustainable operational discipline. The Opportunity This is not a consultancy or desk‑based role. You will be on the shop floor daily — observing, mapping, improving and coaching. You’ll report directly to the CEO and operate with autonomy, shaping how the business works and leaving behind capability that lasts. What You will Do * Map current‑state value streams and quantify waste across all build types * Lead 5S implementation and run structured Kaizen events * Improve production flow, takt time, sequencing, layout and scheduling * Establish standard work and visual management across the workshop * Coach teams in CI tools through live improvement activity * Act as the competent person for Health & Safety, owning risk assessments, work‑at‑height compliance, COSHH and incident investigations * Conduct H&S audits, maintain statutory documentation and lead toolbox talks * Overhaul purchasing practices: supplier performance, stock control, lead times and alignment with build schedules * Track KPIs across CI, H&S and purchasing, reporting directly to senior leadership What You will Bring * Proven hands‑on CI experience in manufacturing, ideally low‑volume or bespoke production * Strong working knowledge of lean tools: VSM, 5S, Kaizen, standard work, visual management and root cause analysis * Practical H&S experience including risk assessments, PUWER, COSHH and Work at Height * Purchasing experience: supplier negotiation, inventory control and aligning procurement with production flow * A shop‑floor mindset — credible with skilled craftspeople and comfortable in overalls * Structured, data‑driven thinking with the ability to baseline and measure improvement * Strong coaching ability and a commitment to building capability, not dependency Desirable: Six Sigma/Lean qualification, experience in Danaher/TPS‑style environments, CIPS or equivalent procurement experience. Benefits * £45,000 – £55,000 salary depending on experience * Direct influence over CI, H&S and purchasing strategy * High autonomy with direct access to senior leadership * Opportunity to lead a two‑year transformation programme with measurable impact * Stable, long‑established manufacturer with strong demand for its products * Clear progression as operational maturity increases What Success Looks Like Within two years, you’ll have delivered: * Faster, more consistent build processes with reduced rework * Full H&S compliance, including robust work‑at‑height and COSHH controls * A purchasing function that supports production rather than constraining it * A self‑sustaining 5S standard maintained by the teams * A trained group of CI practitioners able to run improvements independently * A culture where problems are surfaced and solved, not worked around