At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead lean manufacturing initiatives and drive continuous improvement across multiple sites.
- Company: Dynamic manufacturing company focused on operational excellence and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and travel opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on leadership role with a focus on innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in lean manufacturing and strong communication skills are essential.
Multi-site Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement leadership role focused on operational excellence, behavioural safety and sustainable performance gains. With excellent benefits, £60-80k salary, flexible / Hybrid working.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Lean Manufacturing / Process Improvement manager to take responsibility for total cost reduction activity across four U.K. manufacturing sites. This role is for a hands-on leader, for someone who brings energy and ideas then translating that into practical change. Recognising that the departmental teams themselves often have the best ideas and know the processes better than anyone, you need to engage with their ability and knowledge, then work with them to deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, cost and delivery. Working together with site leadership teams, you will maintain support and commitment to a culture of operational excellence and engagement across the multiple locations. The business’s culture is already one of creating the right behaviours and values so you’ll be pushing at an already open door. Alongside planned £ multi-million investments there is a lot of resource, support and commitment from all levels to improve. Working within a regulated industry, the challenge to make changes that are adopted will perhaps be your toughest challenge, but you’ll have technical expertise to support you. Achieving those improvements and savings keeps this high value production here in the UK, obviously helps achieve the industry benchmark for customer service and maintains an atmosphere of success and progress; which creates a virtuous spiral!
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of the lean manufacturing and process improvement roadmap across the sites.
- Promote a strong safety-first culture and ensure all improvement activity supports safe operations.
- Identify, prioritise and manage improvement projects that advance safety, reduce waste, improve flow, increase productivity and enhance customer experience.
- Coach, mentor and support all teams in lean tools and methodologies including 5S, value stream mapping, standard work, CI, visual management, root cause analysis, SMED, Kaizen and problem-solving routines.
- Lead and facilitate cross-site sharing of best practice.
- Support change management activity, ensuring improvements are understood, adopted and become embedded by operational teams.
- Build continuous improvement capability at all levels, from first line teams to senior leadership.
- Contribute to capital, automation and layout improvement projects where they support operational excellence objectives.
About You
- Proven experience in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, operational excellence or process improvement within a manufacturing environment.
- Ideally exposure to working within a regulated sector, especially with a highly engineered product.
- Track record of delivering projects that make a measurable improvement in safety, productivity, quality, cost, lead time, waste reduction and service performance.
- Confident communicator, facilitator and coach with the ability to influence and engage teams at all levels.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to turn operational data into clear improvement targets.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt or equivalent qualification would be advantageous but is not essential where strong practical experience can be demonstrated.
- Manufacturing or Engineering first degree level qualifications too would certainly help your understanding and credibility.
What We Offer
- A visible, influential lead role with the opportunity to define our continuous improvement strategy.
- Class and industry leading remuneration.
- Flexible working.
- Supportive leadership environment with an established commitment to Op-Ex.
- Opportunities for professional development, training and career progression.
- Travel across UK and US sites, with flexibility depending on business needs.
Lean Manufacturing / Process Improvement Manager in Derby employer: Augment Consulting
As a Lean Manufacturing / Process Improvement Manager, you will thrive in a dynamic environment that prioritises operational excellence and employee engagement across multiple UK sites. Our company offers competitive salaries between £60-80k, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and a strong commitment to professional development, ensuring you have the resources and support needed to drive meaningful change. Join us in fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement, where your ideas and leadership can make a significant impact on our success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lean Manufacturing / Process Improvement Manager in Derby
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Augment Consulting, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Lean Manufacturing / Process Improvement Manager in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Augment Consulting specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Augment Consulting
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Augment Consulting, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Augment Consulting value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
