Operational Excellence Manager

On behalf of a prestigious, heritage-rich British manufacturing business with centuries of engineering excellence, we are seeking a hands-on, high-impact Operational Excellence Manager.

Following recently being acquired, the organisation is embarking on a comprehensive site-wide Lean transformation across its flagship West Midlands manufacturing facility. Employing several hundred site team members, the operation encompasses end-to-end capabilities from sheet-metal fabrication through to advanced assembly and testing.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the operation of a traditional manufacturing hub. You will lead the Continuous Improvement and Lean agenda, balancing traditional craftsmanship with modern automation, improving flow, and driving a sustainable culture of Lean excellence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Value Stream Transformation: Lead end-to-end Lean transformation across the site to optimise flow, reduce lead times, and enhance internal SQDC performance.
• Site Kaizen & CI Culture: Plan, facilitate, and execute site-wide Kaizen events (5S, waste reduction, SMED, TPM) and act as a hands-on coach.
• Tiered Visual Management: Standardise and audit daily visual management cadences to drive data-driven accountability across all shifts.
• Line Balancing & SOPs: Conduct takt time/cycle time analyses to balance multi-station assembly lines and collaborate with Production Engineering to update SOPs.
• Quality & Scrap Reduction: Partner with Quality teams to eliminate root-cause defects using structured methodologies (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone) to maximise first-time-through yield.
• Line-Side Logistics & Kanban: Work closely with supply chain to optimise point-of-use material feeds, implementing pull systems, Kanban, and kitting strategies.
• NPI & Capital Alignment: Support the operational rollout of Next Generation product launches while aligning Lean initiatives with the site’s capital equipment roadmap.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• We are seeking a Gemba-focused, hands-on leader who has experienced "what good looks like" in a World-Class Manufacturing environment and possesses the passion and agility to apply those principles to a traditional manufacturing operation.
• Proven Track Record: Extensive experience delivering measurable Lean / CI transformations in complex, high-mix industrial manufacturing environments.
• Lean Toolkit Expertise: Mastery of Value Stream Mapping (VSM), SMED, TPM, Cellular Manufacturing, and 7 Wastes elimination.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Deep expertise in root-cause problem-solving (A3, 8D, Ishikawa, 5 Whys) within quality and scrap reduction contexts.
• Leadership & Influence: Outstanding communication skills with a proven track record of influencing and coaching colleagues at every level, from shop-floor operators to executive leadership.
• Analytical & Data-Driven: Strong proficiency in visual control systems, shop-floor analytics, and data-driven decision-making.

WHAT THIS ROLE OFFERS

• Transformation Ownership: The platform to genuinely own and execute an end-to-end Lean roadmap supported by active investment and committed executive leadership.
• Impact & Visibility: High-visibility leadership role key to driving the plant’s transition into a competitive Centre of Excellence.
• Competitive Package: Attractive executive base salary, comprehensive benefits package, and long-term career progression within a growing global group.

HOW TO APPLY

• For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please submit your CV in confidence to Simon Owens at Kaizen Talent Solutions. All enquiries and applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.