At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead continuous improvement projects to enhance operations and sales processes.
- Company: Join Tobermore, a leading concrete products manufacturer with a family-run culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private healthcare, enhanced leave, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving sustainable change and improving productivity.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in continuous improvement or project management; strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Location: Tobermore Concrete Products Ltd, 2 Lisnamuck Road, Tobermore
Shape how we work and make a real impact across the business. We’re looking for a driven and analytical problem solver to join our team as a Continuous Improvement Lead (Operations & Sales). Reporting to the Head of Business Operations, this role will review processes across Operations and Sales to identify inefficiencies, lead improvement projects and deliver measurable gains in productivity, service, quality and cost performance. Working closely with departmental leaders and alongside the Continuous Improvement Lead (Production), the successful candidate will drive sustainable change through process redesign, data‑led decision making, effective project delivery and the promotion of a continuous improvement culture across the business.
Benefits
- Attractive salary + Annual Bonus
- Private healthcare & Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) from day 1
- Enhanced annual leave entitlements and additional loyalty holidays
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Company Branded Clothing
- Access to tech & cycle to work schemes
- Enhanced family friendly leave
- Employee savings scheme
- Employee discount scheme
- Length of Service gifts
Please note: We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time, as we do not hold a sponsorship licence and do not have roles that meet the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. All applicants must have the current right to work in NI. We may close vacancies early where we receive significant numbers of applications, in order to support efficient shortlisting.
About The Role
Duties will include:
- Review end‑to‑end processes across Operations and Sales to identify inefficiencies, waste, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
- Engage with departmental stakeholders to understand current ways of working, operational challenges and desired future processes.
- Facilitate workshops, observations and process mapping sessions to capture and redesign business processes.
- Develop and maintain clear process documentation, standard operating procedures and improvement records.
- Build and manage a prioritised pipeline of continuous improvement initiatives aligned to business goals.
- Lead cross‑functional improvement projects from concept through to implementation, embedding sustainable change.
- Use data and performance metrics to quantify issues, support decision‑making and measure benefits delivered.
- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, service levels, quality, customer experience and cost performance.
- Assess and recommend digital tools, automation solutions and system enhancements that support operational efficiency.
- Work closely with IT and Data Team to ensure proposed solutions are practical, secure and aligned to company standards.
- Support change management activities to maximise colleague engagement, adoption and long‑term success of improvements.
- Coach managers and teams in structured problem solving, root cause analysis and continuous improvement techniques.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging ideas, ownership and accountability at all levels.
- Track project progress, risks, savings and outcomes, providing regular updates to senior leadership.
- Collaborate closely with the Head of Business Operations and the Continuous Improvement Lead (Production) to coordinate priorities and share best practice.
- Ensure all improvement activity complies with company policies, health and safety standards, data protection requirements and budget expectations.
- Contribute to departmental and company objectives through delivery of measurable operational improvements.
- Treat sales, costs, and personnel information in a private and confidential manner.
- Demonstrate the company values (H.E.A.R.T) in every task and colleague/customer interaction daily.
- Attend monthly 1‑1 meetings with Head of Business Operations.
- Comply with GDPR legislation.
- Undertake additional duties within the scope of the role as reasonably required.
Skills Needed
- Technical, Improvement, People
About The Company
Tobermore began life as a humble sand and gravel business started by the Henderson family in 1942. We then diversified into concrete products, which were sold to the local community in the 1950s. In the late 1970s we became one of the forerunners in manufacturing block paving – or ‘Pavia’, as it was originally called. Now, more than 80 years later, we are one of the top paving and walling manufacturers in the UK and Ireland, and pride ourselves on our world‑class technology and the unrivaled quality of our products. Achieving £85 million sales in 2021/22 and positioned number 24 in the NI Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Companies 2022, your future is in good hands.
Company Culture
To this day, the business remains family‑run. We employ 450+ staff throughout the UK and Ireland. We embrace, encourage and engage in continuous improvement and continuous learning for all employees. Our people are the backbone to our company. They understand the importance of customer relationships. People buy from people. We only recruit people who share our values.
Required Criteria
- Third level qualification in a business or related discipline
- 3+ years’ experience in continuous improvement or project management
- Experience in leading continuous improvement initiatives within a business environment.
- Experience in project management.
- Proficient in using data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI or similar).
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data sets into actionable insights.
- Solution focused.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Strong facilitation, coaching, and influencing skills.
- Results‑driven with a focus on delivering tangible outcomes.
- Proactive and self‑motivated with a continuous learning mindset.
- Change leadership and stakeholder engagement.
- Strategic thinking.
- Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
- Eligible to work in NI.
Desired Criteria
- Relevant Lean / Continuous Improvement qualification (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Green Belt minimum)
- Project management qualification
- Experience building CI capability across teams (e.g., coaching, training others).
- Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma and other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Knowledge/Experience of improvement tools such as automation, digital transformation, or process mapping tools.
- Digital, automation and/or AI skills.
- Knowledge of tabular database structures and design.
- Full Valid UK driving licence.
Closing Date: Sunday 31st May, 2026
Contract Type: fulltime
Salary: Based on Experience
Continuous Improvement Lead employer: Tobermore
At Tobermore Concrete Products Ltd, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment that champions continuous improvement and employee development. As a Continuous Improvement Lead, you'll not only enjoy an attractive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including private healthcare and enhanced leave entitlements, but also the opportunity to make a significant impact on our operations while working alongside a dedicated team in a family-run business that values its people and promotes a culture of learning and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Continuous Improvement Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Since the role is all about continuous improvement, be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨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 take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Continuous Improvement Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Continuous Improvement Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in continuous improvement and project management, and show us how your skills align with what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific projects or initiatives where you made a measurable impact. Use data to back up your claims – we love numbers that tell a story about your success!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your writing is easy to read. This will help us quickly see why you're a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you can be sure it reaches us without any hiccups, and you'll get to see all the other cool opportunities we have at Tobermore!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tobermore
✨Know Your Continuous Improvement Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, as this will show your depth of knowledge and practical experience.
✨Prepare Data-Driven Examples
Since the role involves data-led decision making, come prepared with specific examples where you've used data analysis tools like Excel or Power BI to identify inefficiencies and drive improvements. Quantifying your achievements will make a strong impact.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would engage with departmental leaders and stakeholders. Prepare to discuss your approach to understanding their challenges and how you would facilitate workshops or process mapping sessions to capture insights.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
As a Continuous Improvement Lead, you'll need to coach others in problem-solving techniques. Be ready to share experiences where you've successfully trained or influenced teams, demonstrating your ability to promote a culture of continuous improvement.
