At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead continuous improvement projects and coach teams to enhance operational excellence.
- Company: Join Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid role with excellent career growth opportunities and a supportive culture.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 ÂŁ per year.
Salary: ÂŁ29,700 - ÂŁ38,550 per annum
Location: Whittlesford, UK/Hybrid
Contract: 1 Year Fixed Term Contract
Hours: Full Time – 35 hours per week
Are you passionate about driving operational excellence and shaping a culture of continuous improvement across a fast‑moving organisation? We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge. We are looking for a Continuous Improvement Lead to join the Operations Excellence Team where you will support Continuous Improvement initiatives and Lean Six Sigma projects within Group Print and Operations and the wider Cambridge organisation.
About the role
As a Continuous Improvement Lead, you will play a key role in driving operational excellence across Cambridge University Press & Assessment. You will champion best‑practice methodologies, coach Lean Six Sigma practitioners and help embed a culture of continuous improvement that delivers real results.
Key responsibilities
- Drive CI projects through the full DMAIC lifecycle, using Agile or Waterfall approaches where appropriate.
- Design and deliver engaging CI training, including Innovation & CI, 5S, and Value Stream Mapping.
- Build and maintain a strong CI and innovation network across the organisation, enabling collaboration and knowledge‑sharing.
- Coach and develop Lean Six Sigma Belts and CI enthusiasts, supporting them to deliver impactful projects and positive change.
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement by equipping teams with Lean tools and methodologies to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and efficiency.
- Support the development and rollout of standardised Operations Excellence and Lean Six Sigma ways of working.
- Grow capability within the team, inspiring new members to develop best‑practice skills and contribute to a thriving CI culture.
- Recognise and celebrate excellence, highlighting great behaviours, outcomes, and Lean Six Sigma achievements.
This position has been classified as a hybrid role, requiring the selected candidate to typically spend 40-60% of their time collaborating and connecting face‑to‑face at their dedicated location. Aside from our hybrid principles, other flexible working requests will be considered from the first day of employment, including other work arrangements should you require adjustments due to a disability or long‑term health condition.
About You
You are a proactive communicator with a strong customer focus and a passion for driving meaningful change. You bring a can‑do attitude, learn quickly from experience, and thrive in a collaborative environment where innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged. With hands‑on experience in Lean, Six Sigma and wider CI tools, you are confident simplifying complex processes, coaching others, and supporting teams to adopt best‑practice ways of working. You build strong relationships, influence effectively, and take pride in delivering high‑quality outcomes.
What You Will Bring
- Proven experience using Lean, Six Sigma, Lean Daily Management, 5S and CI tools
- Ability to map processes, write clear procedures and deliver structured workshops
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with a customer‑centred approach
- Confidence producing reports and presenting to varied audiences
- Experience working across diverse teams and stakeholder groups
- Ability to collaborate, share best practice and support knowledge transfer
- A positive, results‑driven mindset aligned to organisational goals
- Confidence in using digital collaboration tools such as Miro and Microsoft Teams
If you meet the above minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply. Your application will be even stronger if you can also demonstrate the following desirable criteria:
- Six Sigma Black Belt or advanced Lean training
- Project Management or Train‑the‑Trainer certification
For a detailed job description, please refer to the link at the bottom of the advert on our careers site. We are a Disability Confident (DC) employer that is committed to equality and inclusion ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. The DC scheme's Offer of an Interview commitment applies to applicants who opt in, and disclose a disability or a long‑term health condition, and best meet the minimum criteria for the role. In instances where interviewing all qualifying candidates is not practicable, we prioritise those who best meet the minimum criteria, as we would for applicants who do not have a disability or long‑term health condition.
Please note, Cambridge University Press & Assessment is unable to sponsor this role under the Skilled Worker Visa route as it does not meet the minimum skill requirements.
Rewards and benefits
We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family‑friendly and planet‑friendly benefits including:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Group personal pension scheme
- Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
- Green travel schemes
Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now. We aim to support candidates by making our interview process clear and transparent. The closing date for all applications will be 2 February 2026. We will review applications on an ongoing basis, and shortlisted candidates can expect interviews to take place week commencing 9 February 2026. If you are shortlisted and progressed through the stages, you can expect: Interviews to take place in person at our office in Whittlesford, UK.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process due to a disability or a long‑term health condition, there will be an opportunity for you to inform us via the online application form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.
We are committed to an equitable recruitment process. As such, applications must be submitted via our official online application procedure. Please refrain from sending your CV directly to our recruiters. If you experience technical difficulties or require additional support with submitting your online application, contact the Recruiter.
Why join us
Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You'll belong to a collaborative team that's exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration. Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it's safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background. We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.
Continuous Improvement Lead in Cambridge employer: Totalwellnessacupuncture
Contact Detail:
Totalwellnessacupuncture Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Continuous Improvement Lead in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Cambridge University Press & Assessment on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. It’s all about making connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions related to Lean and Six Sigma. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you showcase your experience effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for continuous improvement during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've driven change in previous roles. Remember, they want to see your enthusiasm for operational excellence!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. Plus, it shows that you’re genuinely interested in the role. Apply through our website to make sure your application stands out!
We think you need these skills to ace Continuous Improvement Lead in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Continuous Improvement Lead!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to that resulted in measurable improvements. We love seeing real results!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate clarity as much as you do!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application via our official careers site. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Totalwellnessacupuncture
✨Know Your Lean and Six Sigma Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your Lean and Six Sigma methodologies before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, how you applied these tools, and the results you achieved. This will show that you not only understand the concepts but can also implement them effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about how you would handle certain situations related to continuous improvement. Think of examples where you've driven change or improved processes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly and effectively.
✨Show Your Coaching Skills
As a Continuous Improvement Lead, you'll be expected to coach others. Prepare to share experiences where you've mentored or trained team members in Lean practices. Highlight your ability to communicate complex ideas simply and inspire others to adopt best practices.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working across diverse teams, so be ready to discuss how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Share examples of how you've built relationships and facilitated knowledge-sharing among different stakeholders to drive continuous improvement initiatives.