Director Business Excellence Innovation in Glasgow

Director Business Excellence Innovation in Glasgow

Glasgow Full-Time 90000 - 120000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Pacific International Executive Search

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovation in R&D, driving faster product development and embedding data-driven decision-making.
  • Company: Join a leading industrial machinery manufacturer in Europe with a focus on excellence.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for professional growth, and a dynamic work environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming processes and delivering measurable business value.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in R&D or Product Development with Lean Six Sigma expertise.
  • Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; all backgrounds encouraged to apply.

The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 ÂŁ per year.

Pacific International has been retained by a leading industrial machinery manufacturer in Europe. This business is looking to bring aboard an experienced Director of Business Process Excellence Innovation to work in the organisations centre of excellence. Based in Europe, the successful candidate will bring a strong track record in transforming R&D and innovation processes, driving faster and more predictable product development outcomes, and embedding Lean, data‑driven ways of working. Operating at both strategic and hands‑on levels, this individual will play a key role in accelerating time‑to‑market, improving product quality, and delivering measurable commercial value across global product portfolios.

Key Responsibilities

  • Drive faster, more predictable innovation outcomes across R&D
  • Embed data‑driven decision‑making within product development
  • Deliver measurable business value (cost, speed, quality, revenue)
  • Develop a multi‑generation product roadmap spanning 10–15 years
  • Lead transformation of the end‑to‑end NPD lifecycle
  • Align NPD processes with business strategy, customer needs, and market dynamics
  • Lead Lean Six Sigma deployment within R&D and Innovation functions
  • Identify and eliminate inefficiencies across development, design, testing, and validation
  • Optimise time‑to‑market, development cost, and product success rates

Candidate Profile

  • Minimum 10+ years’ experience in R&D, Innovation, or Product Development
  • Proven track record in R&D process improvement and transformation
  • Extensive experience leading Lean Six Sigma initiatives (Black Belt / Master Black Belt)
  • Strong expertise in: New Product Development (NPD), Design for Six Sigma (DfSS) and Stage‑Gate and/or Agile frameworks
  • Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment (preferred)
  • Structured, innovation‑driven mindset with strong problem‑solving skills
  • Ability to translate customer needs into engineering requirements
  • Strong analytical, systems thinking, and stakeholder influencing skills
  • Comfortable operating both strategically and hands‑on
  • Proven ability to coach and develop technical teams
  • High resilience and capability to drive change in complex organisations

Qualifications & Skills

  • Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
  • Design for Six Sigma (DfSS)
  • Experience with Innovation and Stage‑Gate frameworks
  • English (full professional proficiency)

For further information on this position and a confidential discussion about your career please contact Ebba Gotthard, Client Deliver Manager - though we ask you to apply directly through this LinkedIn post to make sure your application is reviewed.

Director Business Excellence Innovation in Glasgow employer: Pacific International Executive Search

Pacific International is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and excellence in the industrial machinery sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the company provides opportunities for professional development through hands-on leadership roles and the implementation of Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Located in Europe, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring a meaningful and rewarding career path.
Pacific International Executive Search

Contact Detail:

Pacific International Executive Search Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director Business Excellence Innovation in Glasgow

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We recommend practising common interview questions and having your own questions ready. This shows you're genuinely interested and helps you stand out from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your achievements! When discussing your experience, focus on specific examples of how you've driven innovation or improved processes. We want to see measurable results that highlight your impact in previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Director Business Excellence Innovation in Glasgow

R&D Process Improvement
Lean Six Sigma (Master Black Belt)
New Product Development (NPD)
Design for Six Sigma (DfSS)
Stage-Gate Framework
Agile Frameworks
Data-Driven Decision-Making
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Stakeholder Influencing Skills
Change Management
Strategic Thinking
Coaching and Development of Technical Teams
Innovation Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in R&D and innovation processes. We want to see how you've driven faster product development outcomes and embedded Lean methodologies in your previous roles.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics to demonstrate how you’ve delivered measurable business value, like improving product quality or optimising time-to-market. We love numbers!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Director of Business Excellence Innovation role. Highlight your strategic mindset and hands-on experience in transforming processes.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets the attention it deserves and makes the process smoother for both you and us. Don’t miss out!

How to prepare for a job interview at Pacific International Executive Search

✨Know Your Lean Six Sigma Inside Out

As a candidate for the Director of Business Excellence Innovation, you need to showcase your expertise in Lean Six Sigma. Brush up on your Black Belt or Master Black Belt knowledge and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've successfully implemented these methodologies to drive process improvements.

✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

This role requires a blend of strategic and hands-on skills. Prepare examples that illustrate how you've aligned product development processes with business strategy and customer needs. Think about how you can articulate your vision for a multi-generation product roadmap.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Practice articulating your structured, innovation-driven mindset by discussing how you've identified inefficiencies and optimised processes in previous roles. Use data-driven results to back up your claims.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Since this position involves influencing various stakeholders, prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams. Highlight your ability to translate customer needs into engineering requirements and how you've coached technical teams to achieve their goals.

Director Business Excellence Innovation in Glasgow
Pacific International Executive Search
Location: Glasgow
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