Senior Continuous Improvement Manager

Senior Continuous Improvement Manager

Final date to receive applications: 14 January 2026

Department: Programmes and Business Improvement

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Brize Norton

Compensation: £60,995 - £70,000 / year

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving innovation and sustainable change? Do you thrive in complex environments and enjoy empowering others to become champions of change? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you.

As our Senior Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager, you’ll lead the development and implementation of a cross-organisational CI operating model that delivers measurable impact. Using industry-recognised methodologies in Lean Thinking, you’ll embed a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation, aligning initiatives with strategic goals and enabling data-driven decision‑making.

Why Air Tanker?

Air Tanker is a vital part of the UK’s defence capability, delivering air‑to‑air refuelling and air transport services to the RAF and MoD. As a Senior Continuous Improvement Manager, you’ll be the strategic leader behind our transformation efforts—designing and delivering frameworks that ensure the right processes, tools, and insights are in place to drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainable change. Your leadership directly enables our teams to operate smarter, faster, and more aligned with our mission‑critical goals.

• Cross‑Organisational Reach
  :
  You’ll work across departments, giving you exposure to diverse teams and challenges.
• Advanced CI Methodologies
  :
  You’ll deepen your expertise with the application of lean transformation across multiple disciplines in the organisation.
• Influence
  :
  You’ll be shaping decisions that affect the entire organisation.
• Comprehensive Benefits
  :
  Including private medical insurance, bonus scheme, EV scheme, contributory pension, and more.
• Adventure & Belonging
  :
  Battlefield tours, adventure training, and family fun days.

Lead CI Strategy
:
Develop and implement a cross‑organisational CI framework aligned with strategic goals.

Drive Transformation
:
Manage complex improvement projects that deliver measurable impact.

Enable Data‑Driven Decisions
:
Utilise KPIs to track performance and inform priorities surrounding value‑added change with recognisable benefits.

Build Capability
:
Coach teams, deliver training, and embed a CI culture across the business.

Ensure Compliance
:
Align CI activities with aerospace and defence standards and share best practices.

• Proven experience at Senior Management level.
• Extensive background in CI, process optimisation, or related roles.
• Deep knowledge of lean methodologies.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Emotional intelligence and effective communication skills.
• Experience working with the MoD/Military.
• Familiarity with aerospace standards (e.g. AS9100, EASA Part 145) is desirable.

If you’re passionate about driving transformation, empowering teams, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the future of operational excellence.