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- Tasks: Lead continuous improvement initiatives and coach future leaders in a hybrid role.
- Company: Join a leading UK healthcare brand dedicated to enhancing patient treatment accessibility and safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £70,000 salary, 10% bonus, £6k car allowance, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of manufacturing while fostering a culture of excellence and sustainable change.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in continuous improvement, leadership skills, and Lean Six Sigma certification required.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid (circa 3 days on site weekly - Harlow & Derby sites)
Salary: £70,000 + 10% Bonus + £6k Car allowance
Employment Type: Permanent, Hybrid (dual-site)
Benefits: Up-to 10% Annual Bonus, £6k Car allowance, Private Medical Insurance
We’re working with a leading healthcare business in the UK that works tirelessly to make patient treatment more accessible, personal, and safe. Every day, its teams deliver high-quality care to thousands of patients across the UK, supporting people with complex conditions through treatment plans that fit into real lives.
We’re looking for a Continuous Improvement (CI) Lead who is passionate about truly embedding change, building a culture of excellence, and shaping the future of compound manufacturing operations. This isn’t a typical CI role. You won’t just deliver projects — you’ll coach and build an academy of future CI Leaders to create sustainable change. Reporting directly to the Head of Compounding, you’ll work across both Derby and Harlow sites to embed a culture where continuous improvement is woven into the fabric of how the business works.
Key Deliverables
- Lead Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Develop and execute a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy aligned with organisational goals. Identify and prioritise areas for improvement using data-driven analysis and stakeholder input. Implement Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve productivity.
- Project Management: Lead cross-functional teams to plan, execute, and monitor improvement projects. Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and deliver measurable results. Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of initiatives.
- Training and Development: Train and mentor employees at all levels on Lean and Six Sigma principles, tools, and techniques. Create the sites CI academy. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging employee involvement and ownership of processes.
- Process Optimisation: Conduct value stream mapping to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks. Implement standardised work procedures and best practices to ensure consistency and quality. Collaborate with compounding teams to optimise equipment and workflow layouts.
- Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect, analyse, and interpret data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement working in collaboration with site Quality, Warehouse & Compounding leads.
- Change Management: Drive organisational change by effectively communicating the benefits of continuous improvement initiatives, including town hall presentations & briefings. Address resistance to change and ensure buy-in from all stakeholders.
About You
To thrive in this role you will have:
- A proven change agent with experience driving and embedding continuous improvement within complex manufacturing or compounding environments.
- A leader who listens first, takes action, and inspires others to join the journey.
- Experience building CI culture at every level — not just delivering initiatives, but creating a sustainable way of working.
- Kaizen Leader, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or equivalent), with strong data-driven decision-making skills.
- Bonus points if you bring pharmaceutical manufacturing experience and a passion for technology and automation.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you! Don’t meet every single requirement? At Realise, we are dedicated to helping our clients build diverse, inclusive and authentic workplaces, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we would encourage you to apply anyway! You might be just the candidate we’re looking for!
Realise HR Ltd is operating as an employment agency on behalf of its clients.
Continuous Improvement Lead employer: Realise HR
Contact Detail:
Realise HR Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Continuous Improvement Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, as these are crucial for the Continuous Improvement Lead role. Consider obtaining additional certifications or attending workshops to deepen your understanding and demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors, especially those who have experience in continuous improvement. Engaging with industry groups or attending relevant conferences can provide valuable insights and connections that may help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led change initiatives in previous roles. Highlight your ability to coach others and build a culture of continuous improvement, as this is a key aspect of the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s current continuous improvement initiatives and challenges. Being knowledgeable about their operations and demonstrating how you can contribute to their goals will show your genuine interest and make you a more compelling candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Continuous Improvement Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in continuous improvement, particularly in complex manufacturing environments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead initiatives and embed a culture of excellence.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for continuous improvement and how you can contribute to the company's goals. Mention your experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies and your approach to training and mentoring others.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your skills in data analysis, project management, and change management. Provide examples of how you've successfully implemented improvements and driven organisational change in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: Describe your leadership style and how you inspire and engage teams. Highlight any experience you have in building a culture of continuous improvement and how you plan to develop future CI leaders within the organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Realise HR
✨Show Your Passion for Continuous Improvement
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for continuous improvement and how it can transform the workplace. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully implemented change and the positive outcomes that followed.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
As a Continuous Improvement Lead, you'll be expected to inspire and coach others. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've motivated teams to embrace change and improve processes.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since this role involves data analysis, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to identify areas for improvement. Discuss any tools or methodologies you've employed, such as Lean or Six Sigma, to drive results.
✨Prepare for Change Management Questions
Expect questions about how you handle resistance to change. Be ready to share strategies you've used to communicate the benefits of initiatives and gain buy-in from stakeholders at all levels.
