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- Tasks: Lead Lean manufacturing across multiple sites and drive sustainable change.
- Company: Dynamic UK-based manufacturer with strong international backing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, bonus potential, and career progression.
- Other info: Opportunity for rapid career advancement to Board-level.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Lean manufacturing and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in Lean leadership and strong interpersonal skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
OPEX Selection is supporting a UK-based specialist manufacturer in the appointment of a Head of Lean Manufacturing, a newly created senior leadership role with genuine authority, sponsorship and long-term progression. The organisation was acquired by a US industrial group four years ago and now operates as part of a wider international manufacturing network with an established global business system. While this system is well embedded in other regions, its application within the UK remains at an earlier stage.
Following the appointment of a new UK Board, there is renewed clarity, energy and commitment to operational excellence. Lean is positioned as a strategic enabler, not a support function, and this role has been created to lead that agenda with credibility and impact.
The Role:
- Reporting to the Operations Director, you will take ownership of Lean manufacturing across six UK manufacturing sites, working closely with Manufacturing Managers to embed principles, behaviours and capability at site level.
- This is a highly visible, people-focused leadership role, combining coaching, influence and hands-on delivery.
- Leading the deployment and embedding of Lean manufacturing principles across multiple sites.
- Partnering with Manufacturing Managers to drive engagement, ownership and sustainable change.
- Establishing and directly coaching a team of dedicated Lean Coordinators across three sites.
- Personally leading high-impact Lean and Six Sigma projects where required, setting the standard for delivery.
- Designing and delivering Green Belt training to build internal capability and succession.
- Acting as the UK Lean lead, aligned to a wider global business system and supported by both UK and US leadership.
The business has previously operated a localised Continuous Improvement structure that was later disbanded. With a new Board in place, this appointment represents a deliberate reset, with clearer sponsorship, stronger alignment and a more mature, sustainable approach.
Requirements:
- This role will suit a senior Lean leader who enjoys influencing through trust, credibility and collaboration rather than authority alone.
- You are likely to bring proven experience embedding Lean within manufacturing environments, ideally across multiple sites.
- Experience working within, or deploying, a structured business or operating system in a manufacturing environment, ideally within an international or group-owned organisation.
- Comfortable aligning local operations to global standards while balancing pragmatism, pace and site-level engagement.
- A coaching-led, people-centric approach with the confidence to challenge constructively.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence at all levels.
- Experience developing Lean capability within operational teams.
- The ambition and presence to progress into a future Board-level role.
Why This Opportunity?
- Newly created role with a clear mandate.
- Strong sponsorship from a refreshed UK Board and US parent organisation.
- Opportunity to shape and embed Lean rather than inherit legacy structures.
- Genuine scope to progress to the main Board within a three-year horizon.
Head of Lean Manufacturing | Grtr Birmingham | Multi-Site Manuf. * OFFERED * Mar 2026 employer: Opex Selection
Contact Detail:
Opex Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Lean Manufacturing | Grtr Birmingham | Multi-Site Manuf. * OFFERED * Mar 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to Lean Manufacturing. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of past Lean projects to the table during interviews. We want to see how you’ve made an impact in previous roles, so be ready to discuss your successes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Lean Manufacturing | Grtr Birmingham | Multi-Site Manuf. * OFFERED * Mar 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Lean Manufacturing. Highlight your experience with Lean principles and any multi-site management you've done. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about Lean manufacturing and how your leadership style aligns with our vision. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve led successful projects or improved processes, let us know the results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opex Selection
✨Know Your Lean Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your Lean manufacturing principles and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully implemented these in previous roles, especially across multiple sites. The interviewers will want to see your practical experience and how you can apply it to their specific context.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role is all about people and influence, so be prepared to talk about your coaching-led approach. Share examples of how you've built trust and credibility with teams, and how you've driven engagement and ownership in Lean initiatives. They’ll be looking for someone who can inspire and lead effectively.
✨Align with Their Vision
Understand the company's current position and their vision for Lean manufacturing. Be ready to discuss how you can help them transition from a localised Continuous Improvement structure to a more mature approach. Show that you’re not just about implementing processes but also about aligning with their strategic goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems or challenges related to Lean implementation. Think about past experiences where you faced obstacles and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet, which is crucial for this role.