Senior Continuous Improvement Manager

What does a Senior Continuous Improvement Manager SCUK do?

Bacardi is seeking a senior operational leader to play a pivotal role in transforming one of its important Supply Centres. This is not a traditional Continuous Improvement position, it’s a unique opportunity to architect and lead the next evolution of Operational Excellence across a complex, multi‑site network spanning Scotch whisky maturation and distillation, premium gin production, and large‑scale bottling operations.

Reporting directly to the SCUK Director and sitting on the Supply Centre Leadership Team, this role will lead the transition toward a TPM based operating model while shaping the long‑term performance culture of the organization. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with strong operational credibility, working hands‑on with teams on the shopfloor to embed sustainable ways of working and develop future capabilities.

Are you ready to embark on your next move? This position is designed for a leader who wants to move beyond deploying tools and instead build a lasting operational system, with clear visibility, executive exposure, and a defined pathway toward future senior supply leadership roles.

• Define and lead the SCUK Operational Excellence roadmap aligned with SCUK strategy and global supply priorities.
• Lead the transition from BOS to TPM, ensuring sustainability and long‑term ownership by operational teams.
• Establish a unified Operational Excellence system across whisky, gin, and production operations.
• Act as SCUK’s authority on TPM principles, standards, and deployment governance.

• Serve as the primary change agent driving a culture of continuous improvement and operational ownership.
• Embed TPM behaviors and mindset across all organizational levels.
• Influence and challenge site leadership priorities to ensure alignment with Operational Excellence principles.
• Build leadership capability to sustain improvements beyond program implementation.

• Maintain a strong presence at Gemba (:30%) to coach teams and reinforce standards through practical engagement.
• Initially participate in Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 routines to embed TPM practices into daily management systems.
• Develop continuous learning and training frameworks for operators, supervisors and leaders.
• Coach teams in problem solving, root cause analysis and loss elimination methodologies.

• Establish standardized performance management and loss analysis systems across SCUK.
• Drive data‑based decision making through clear KPIs and operational reviews.
• Identify productivity, reliability and cost improvement opportunities in partnership with Finance and Operations.
• Ensure alignment between innovation, maintenance strategy, asset reliability, people development and TPM pillars.

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary Continuous Improvement team including Process Leads and CI Managers.
• Integrate Continuous Improvement activities across all SCUK sites and categories, including gin operations.
• Actively contribute as a member of the SCUK Leadership Team shaping long‑term operational strategy.
• Build organizational capability supporting future leadership succession roles within other SC’s or regionally.

• Significant experience leading Operational Excellence or Continuous Improvement transformations within FMCG, beverage, or complex manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record implementing TPM, Lean Manufacturing or equivalent operational systems at scale.
• Demonstrated success driving cultural change, not only tool deployment.
• Strong operational credibility with experience working directly within manufacturing or supply environments.
• Ability to translate strategic vision into executable roadmaps and deliver measurable results.
• Experience operating in multi‑site or matrix organizations.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills at senior management level.
• Solid understanding of maintenance excellence, loss management and performance systems.
• Financial acumen with…