71 Continuous Improvement Director jobs in the United Kingdom

A leading aerospace manufacturer is seeking an experienced Quality & Continuous Improvement Director to join their team in the South East. This is a key leadership role, responsible for driving the organisation's quality strategy and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the business.

While the business already has a robust and well-established Quality Management System in place, the successful candidate will play a critical role in developing and evolving the strategy to ensure it continues to meet regulatory, customer, and international standards. This is not just a strategic position-there will also be an element of hands-on quality management to ensure operational effectiveness and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop the company's quality strategy, ensuring alignment with regulatory and customer requirements.

• Oversee the maintenance and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System without the need for a full redesign.

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives, embedding a culture of problem-solving and efficiency across the business.

• Provide leadership to Quality and Facilities teams, ensuring compliance, safety, and operational excellence.

• Monitor and analyse quality performance data to identify trends, drive corrective actions, and reduce non-conformance.

• Act as a sponsor for quality frameworks such as Quick Response Quality Control (QRQC) and ensure effective engagement across teams.

• Engage in customer complaint resolution, supplier quality assurance, and compliance with airworthiness and safety requirements.

What We're Looking For:

• Significant experience in a senior quality management role within the aerospace (or comparable) industry.

• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems, airworthiness regulations, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams.

• A balance of strategic vision and willingness to engage in hands-on quality management activities.

• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Why Join?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a major aerospace manufacturer at a senior level, shaping the future of its quality and continuous improvement strategy. The role offers influence, responsibility, and the chance to make a tangible impact in a world-class organisation.

The Role

An Operational Excellence (OpEx) Lead role is held by someone who has a substantial background and exposure to management and deployment of OpEx in manufacturing and large programme environments. They demonstrate the ability to build, lead, engage and drive a small team, while earning and maintaining respect and trust. They demonstrate absolute accountability for their core duties and act as a key member of the Operational Excellence leadership. They are aware in terms of understanding the importance of blending strategic direction and tactical response activities.

Will be working with the delivery employees. Process mapping, problem solving. Holding or facilitating workshops. Practical problem solving.

Ideally looking for defence/aerospace background to ensure they can hit the ground running.

Role Responsibilities:

Not limited to.

• Regularly and consistently advocating and driving Operational Excellence principles through their leadership and work activities.
• Understanding the expectations of the External Customer group in terms of business operational and improvement performance, across Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People (SQCDP) metrics.
• Deploy their skills, knowledge and experience.
• Contributing to the strategic roadmap for true Operational Excellence deployment in the mid to long term, building awareness of it with all relevant stakeholders.
• Flowing down strategic objectives, ensuring they are appropriately owned and assured within the team.
• Leading elements of the strategy by linking activities for maximum benefit.
• Working with and reviewing company Key Performance Indicators (KPI's), to identify priority improvement areas and measure improvements.
• Identifying and proceduralising the routine review of sources of 'demand' for OpEx support across SQCDP, including reviewing alignment to the OpEx strategy and identity.
• Assuring that the OpEx programme of activities and projects is delivered and governed. Contributing to the definition of the programme to ensure it is made up of strategically aligned and tactical response projects, as defined by prevailing priorities.
• Responsible for successful delivery of projects.
• Building and managing effective project plans.
• Develop and deploy sustainable coaching and mentoring.

What are BAE Systems looking for from you?

• Has demonstrated leadership prowess and potential with staff level team members. Has also shown the ability to work through influence and effective facilitation at all levels.
• Understands, builds and maintains Employee Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion in teams, assuring people are able to contribute in rewarding and stimulating work environments.
• Has some level of exposure to the principles of strategy definition and deployment.
• Has worked substantially in Operational Excellence and/or Continuous Improvement Programmes and initiatives.
• Has experience of deploying and managing OpEx toolsets and methodologies, in particular Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• Has significant experience in leading improvement Projects and demonstrates competence in Project Management discipline.
• Is aware of the principles of Business Case preparation and management, benefit tracking and assurance.
• Demonsrates Change Management, Stakeholder Management and Communications awareness and leverages these in successful OpEx deployment.
• Is a confident presenter and facilitator, able to engage and influence a range of audiences.

• Organise and facilitates Business improvement / CI workshops within Programmes
• Trains, supports, coaches and mentors LSS GB / BB's

Security Requirements: SC, ITAR & UK EYES ONLY

This role will require the person to hold full Security Clearance (SC) prior to working onsite. You will need to obtain a BPSS check as part of this process. You must currently hold or be eligible and willing to obtain SC. In addition, this role involves direct and/or indirect access to ITAR Material which means there are restriction. If you are unsure as to whether you are eligible, please contact me to discuss.

Furthermore, this role will require you to be a sole British national.

The Umbrella rate quoted above is the Gross Umbrella rate (i.e. the rate we pay to the Umbrella Company inclusive of ALL employment costs). Please note, the rate paid by the Umbrella will be less, as will a Limited Deemed rate or Agency PAYE rate. Please get in touch to discuss the rates via these different payment vehicles.

The Role

An Operational Excellence (OpEx) Lead role is held by someone who has a substantial background and exposure to management and deployment of OpEx in manufacturing and large programme environments. They demonstrate the ability to build, lead, engage and drive a small team, while earning and maintaining respect and trust. They demonstrate absolute accountability for their core duties and act as a key member of the Operational Excellence leadership. They are aware in terms of understanding the importance of blending strategic direction and tactical response activities.

Will be working with the delivery employees. Process mapping, problem solving. Holding or facilitating workshops. Practical problem solving.

Ideally looking for defence/aerospace background to ensure they can hit the ground running.

Role Responsibilities:

Not limited to.

• Regularly and consistently advocating and driving Operational Excellence principles through their leadership and work activities.
• Understanding the expectations of the External Customer group in terms of business operational and improvement performance, across Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People (SQCDP) metrics.
• Deploy their skills, knowledge and experience.
• Contributing to the strategic roadmap for true Operational Excellence deployment in the mid to long term, building awareness of it with all relevant stakeholders.
• Flowing down strategic objectives, ensuring they are appropriately owned and assured within the team.
• Leading elements of the strategy by linking activities for maximum benefit.
• Working with and reviewing company Key Performance Indicators (KPI's), to identify priority improvement areas and measure improvements.
• Identifying and proceduralising the routine review of sources of 'demand' for OpEx support across SQCDP, including reviewing alignment to the OpEx strategy and identity.
• Assuring that the OpEx programme of activities and projects is delivered and governed. Contributing to the definition of the programme to ensure it is made up of strategically aligned and tactical response projects, as defined by prevailing priorities.
• Responsible for successful delivery of projects.
• Building and managing effective project plans.
• Develop and deploy sustainable coaching and mentoring.

What are BAE Systems looking for from you?

• Has demonstrated leadership prowess and potential with staff level team members. Has also shown the ability to work through influence and effective facilitation at all levels.
• Understands, builds and maintains Employee Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion in teams, assuring people are able to contribute in rewarding and stimulating work environments.
• Has some level of exposure to the principles of strategy definition and deployment.
• Has worked substantially in Operational Excellence and/or Continuous Improvement Programmes and initiatives.
• Has experience of deploying and managing OpEx toolsets and methodologies, in particular Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• Has significant experience in leading improvement Projects and demonstrates competence in Project Management discipline.
• Is aware of the principles of Business Case preparation and management, benefit tracking and assurance.
• Demonsrates Change Management, Stakeholder Management and Communications awareness and leverages these in successful OpEx deployment.
• Is a confident presenter and facilitator, able to engage and influence a range of audiences.

• Organise and facilitates Business improvement / CI workshops within Programmes
• Trains, supports, coaches and mentors LSS GB / BB's

Security Requirements: SC, ITAR & UK EYES ONLY

This role will require the person to hold full Security Clearance (SC) prior to working onsite. You will need to obtain a BPSS check as part of this process. You must currently hold or be eligible and willing to obtain SC. In addition, this role involves direct and/or indirect access to ITAR Material which means there are restriction. If you are unsure as to whether you are eligible, please contact me to discuss.

Furthermore, this role will require you to be a sole British national.

The Umbrella rate quoted above is the Gross Umbrella rate (i.e. the rate we pay to the Umbrella Company inclusive of ALL employment costs). Please note, the rate paid by the Umbrella will be less, as will a Limited Deemed rate or Agency PAYE rate. Please get in touch to discuss the rates via these different payment vehicles.

£650/day | Inside IR35
6 months
Remote / UK-based client

• 
  Creation of best practice playbooks across bidding, RFP, and product delivery processes
• 
  Mapping and optimisation of high-level decision-making frameworks and order-to-cash (O2C) processes
• 
  Define handover points , clarify roles & responsibilities , and document KPIs and success metrics
• 
  Lead on embedding operational best practices across Technology, Services, and Tech Services teams
• 
  Partner closely with stakeholders to shape user-case driven processes and support cross-functional collaboration
  
  

• 
  Proven background in Operational Excellence, Transformation, or Process Improvement
• 
  Ability to translate strategy into actionable, scalable processes with clear governance
• 
  Experience creating frameworks around decision-making, KPIs , and service handoffs

**Job Title:** Operational Excellence Practitioner

**Job Function:** Operational Excellence/Continuous Improvement

**Therapy Area/Industry:** Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

**Location:** Wrexham

**Job Description:**

Proclinical is seeking an Operational Excellence Practitioner to lead and drive transformation initiatives at a manufacturing site. This role focuses on applying Lean Six Sigma principles to eliminate waste, enhance value stream flow, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. You will work closely with teams across the organization to deliver measurable performance improvements, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality medicines to patients.

**Responsibilities:**

- Lead and implement Lean Six Sigma projects to improve efficiency, compliance, safety, quality, and cost.

- Act as a role model and advocate for operational excellence across the site.

- Coach and mentor leaders and teams in continuous improvement methodologies.

- Develop and deliver training programs, including White Belt, Yellow Belt, and Green Belt certifications.

- Facilitate root cause analysis workshops for critical business issues.

- Monitor progress, risks, and benefits associated with operational excellence initiatives.

- Identify and track metrics to measure cultural and operational improvements.

- Promote and utilize tools such as Lean Six Sigma to drive value creation.

- Lead a team of Operational Excellence Functional Representatives to embed excellence within each function.

**Key Skills and Requirements:**

- Strong expertise in operational excellence with knowledge of frameworks like the Shingo Model.

- Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Master Black Belt preferred).

- Proven experience in delivering measurable performance improvements through Lean tools and techniques.

- Demonstrated ability to transform organizations and foster new ways of working.

- Skilled in coaching and supporting individuals and teams across various levels and functions.

- Strong business acumen and ability to manage change effectively.

- Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging stakeholders from shop floor to leadership.

- Degree in a science-based or technical discipline preferred.

- Self-motivated, curious, and willing to challenge the status quo.

Please apply on Linkedin.

Proclinical is a specialist employment agency and recruitment business, providing job opportunities within major pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. Proclinical Staffing is an equal opportunity employer.

Artis Recruitment has partnered with a leading name in the food manufacturing sector to support their search for a new Operational Excellence Lead.

Reporting to the Site Leader and working cross-functionally, the Operational Excellence Lead will implement strategic Operating Best Practices across manufacturing and support functions. The role will drive continuous improvement through CI and efficiency projects, developing LEAN capability and fostering a culture of operational excellence.

About the role

• Lead, facilitate, and coordinate the training of group-standardised OBP, LEAN, and PPI (Practical Process Improvement) principles, tools, and techniques, while building internal CI capability across the site.
• Enhance decision-making and problem-solving skills across all teams to boost autonomy and speed up change
• Support achievement of the site OBP profit improvement targets by managing enhancement projects across labour, materials, and overheads
• Work closely with internal teams to understand processes and plant capabilities, using Lean principles to identify opportunities and suggest improvements
• Strive for excellence by implementing new processes and streamlining existing ones to enhance customer satisfaction, support profitable growth, ensure consistent high-quality products, and improve operational efficiency.
• Foster a proactive culture of continuous improvement to enhance KPIs across safety, quality, service, cost, and people. Encourage participation and recommendations
• Understand the bigger picture, make recommendations on sound understanding of intricacies

Your Experience

• Demonstrable track record of delivering continuous improvement within a FMCG manufacturing
• Proven ability to develop and influence key cross functional relationships
• Proactive approach to work, seek out improvements and question the norm
• Knowledge and previous experience with 6-sigma/SPC techniques within process manufacturing
• Excellent stakeholder management skills
• Great communication skills both written and verbal
• Relevant professional qualifications in either Food Science, Engineering or CI

If you are passionate about driving change and continuous improvement, please don't hesitate to apply.