Black Belt

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Smiths Group designs, manufactures and delivers smarter engineering solutions for mission‑critical applications, solving some of the world’s toughest problems for our customers, our communities and our world. For over 170 years, Smiths Group has been pioneering progress by improving the world through smarter engineering.

We serve millions of people every year, to help create a safer, more efficient and better‑connected world, across four major global markets: Energy, General Industry, Security & Defence, and Aerospace. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs 14,600 colleagues in over 50+ countries.

This pioneering spirit continues to drive us today, underpinned by our powerful culture. Improving our world is what we do, how we think, and how we will continue to use our passion for technology and engineering to tackle our customers’ biggest challenges today and in the future. We’re looking for people with curious minds, who want responsibility and relish a challenge. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, our global scale and focus on growth means we have some great career opportunities for you. There’s never been a better time to join Smiths.

Job Description

Drive operational excellence by analysing existing processes, identifying areas of improvement, and building business cases focused on delivering significant results for the organization. Deliver sustainable change aligned with strategic business priorities to maximize business and commercial value. Empower and upskill internal teams to maximise capability and promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Act as a key communicator and ambassador for Smiths Excellence (SE) within the division.

This is a permanent, full time position. Based out of our Central Birmingham office 4 days per week, with the option of working from home 1 day per week.

Key Duties, Activities, and Responsibilities

• Lead project teams that deliver results connected to strategic business priorities for the organization.
• Maintain strong communication with Champions, Sponsors, and process owners to ensure effective project management.
• Actively coach the lean community across the divisions and mentor the Green Belts (GBs) to ensure strong project attainment in a timely fashion.
• Develop leadership skills through challenging projects with uncertain outcomes.
• Apply statistical tools to define, measure, analyse, improve, and control change in processes.
• Synthesize large amounts of data into clear management communication.
• Effectively deploy Lean tools to reduce waste and improve standard work.
• Select high‑potential employees with Champion support to train and develop further in process improvement methodologies.
• Act as SE ambassadors in their area, sharing best practices with leadership and other Black Belts and Green Belts across Smiths Group.
• Support strong SE communication rhythm for their area.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm and create a positive team spirit to maximize project outcomes.
• Ensure continuous utilization of SE capability throughout improvement projects.
• Drive and implement Lean strategies across both manufacturing and aftermarket environments, leading transformation initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in operational efficiency, quality, and customer experience.
• Lead change management efforts, championing operational excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to identify, prioritize, and execute improvement projects in manufacturing and aftermarket settings, ensuring sustainable results and benefits.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of delivering tangible benefits through Lean and Six Sigma transformations, including cost reduction, process optimization, and enhanced stakeholder satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in leading and deploying complex process improvement initiatives that have led to measurable business growth, improved customer experience, and/or substantial improvement in process efficiency/effectiveness.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (MBA and/or consultancy experience desirable).
• Extensive experience in driving Lean and Six Sigma transformation in both manufacturing and aftermarket environments.
• Proven ability to lead change management and operational excellence initiatives, delivering sustainable improvements and benefits.

Additional information

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age or any other legally protected characteristics.

We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers – Smiths Group plc)