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- Tasks: Lead impactful improvement projects and mentor teams in Continuous Improvement methodologies.
- Company: Join Defra, a key UK government department focused on environmental sustainability.
- Benefits: Professional development opportunities and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference to public services and the environment while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent experience in delivering improvement projects.
- Other info: Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and shape the future of public services.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. In terms of programme and project delivery, Defra has one of the largest and most complicated portfolios in government. The Defra group Continuous Improvement Service exists to create and maintain a sustainable Continuous Improvement culture in the Defra group.
We do this by providing a professional change and improvement expertise across the Defra group:
- Expert consultancy – supporting clients to deliver measurable improvement
- Competency building – through training and mentoring
- Community development – sustaining practitioner networks and sharing expert knowledge
- Work on projects that make a real difference to public services and the environment
- Be part of a supportive, expert team committed to professional excellence
- Opportunities for development and exposure to strategic initiatives across Defra
We are looking for an experienced Continuous Improvement Consultant to join our team and help drive meaningful change across Defra group.
In This Role
- You will lead end-to-end improvement projects – from commission through implementation and benefits realisation
- Support clients and teams to apply Continuous Improvement methodologies and tools effectively
- Design and deliver training to our practitioner community and wider networks
- Mentor and coach colleagues in applying improvement techniques
- Contribute to the development and delivery of our Continuous Improvement Strategy and Service
We are looking for someone who is highly skilled, credible, and passionate about Continuous Improvement. You must be able to demonstrate:
- Professional qualification – Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Lean Competency System Level 1
- Proven experience delivering improvement projects from commission to benefits realisation
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Strong analytical skills – confident in data collection, analysis, and presenting insights to influence evidence-led decisions
- Experience designing and delivering training to clients and peers
- Facilitation expertise – shaping and running workshops both face-to-face and virtually
- Coaching and mentoring capability – supporting others to apply Continuous Improvement tools and methods
Methodologies Qualifications
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Lean Competency System
Behaviours
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
- Using data to drive evidence-led decisions
- Continuous improvement processes
Continuous Improvement Consultant in Reading employer: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Contact Detail:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Continuous Improvement Consultant in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or attend industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Continuous Improvement Consultant role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to Continuous Improvement methodologies. We suggest you come armed with examples of your past projects and how you’ve driven change – it’ll show you mean business!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your training and mentoring skills! We want to see how you can contribute to building a Continuous Improvement culture. Share stories about how you’ve helped others grow in their roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission at Defra.
We think you need these skills to ace Continuous Improvement Consultant in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Continuous Improvement Consultant role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially your expertise in Lean Six Sigma and project delivery.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of improvement projects you've led. Use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work, as this will show us how you can drive meaningful change at Defra.
Be Authentic: Let your passion for Continuous Improvement shine through in your application. We want to see your personality and enthusiasm for making a difference in public services and the environment.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
✨Know Your Continuous Improvement Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on your Lean Six Sigma and other Continuous Improvement methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this will show your expertise and credibility.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific projects where you've led improvements from start to finish. Be prepared to share the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to deliver results.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Since mentoring and training are key parts of the role, be ready to talk about your experience in coaching others. Share examples of how you've helped colleagues apply Continuous Improvement tools effectively.
✨Engage with Data
Highlight your analytical skills by discussing how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Be prepared to explain your approach to data collection and analysis, and how it influenced your improvement strategies.
