Operational Improvement Leader

Job Title:

Change Agent / Operational Improvement Lead

Location:

Worksop, Nottinghamshire

Reporting To:
Operations Director

Our client is a well-established UK manufacturing business operating a large-scale production facility specialising in the design and manufacture of specialist commercial vehicles and equipment.

We are seeking an experienced Change Agent / Operational Improvement Lead to drive a site-wide operational improvement programme. The successful candidate will be responsible for defining, implementing, and sustaining structured improvement initiatives focused on enhancing operational performance, visual management, productivity, capacity planning, and workplace organisation. This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in transforming manufacturing operations within a fast-paced engineering environment.

This is a hands-on role requiring strong leadership, engagement with shopfloor teams and the ability to deliver measurable improvements in a manufacturing environment.

• Assess current operational performance and identify improvement opportunities across manufacturing operations.
• Develop and implement a structured site improvement roadmap aligned to business objectives.
• Lead the introduction and deployment of 5S workplace organisation standards across all production areas.
• Establish and drive effective SQCDE (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Environment) visual management boards and daily accountability processes.
• Improve visibility of production performance through KPI development, reporting and visual management.
• Develop and implement clear rate and capacity planning tools to improve workload management and production efficiency.
• Facilitate daily, weekly and monthly operational review meetings.
• Identify constraints, bottlenecks and inefficiencies within manufacturing processes and implement corrective actions.
• Engage with production, engineering, quality and supply chain teams to drive sustainable improvements.
• Support the development of standard work, process discipline and operational controls.
• Coach and mentor site leadership and supervisors in continuous improvement methodologies.
• Track improvement actions and ensure delivery against agreed milestones and targets.

• Proven experience leading operational turnaround or continuous improvement programmes within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Practical experience implementing:
• 5S, Visual Management, SQCDE boards, Daily Management Systems, Capacity Planning, Production Performance Measurement, Standard Work
• Demonstrable ability to influence stakeholders and drive cultural change.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Data-driven approach with the ability to convert operational data into meaningful actions.
• Experience working within fabrication, assembly, automotive, commercial vehicle or industrial manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
• Lean Practitioner, Six Sigma or Operational Excellence training.
• Experience delivering measurable improvements in productivity, delivery performance, quality and operational efficiency.
• Previous responsibility for factory transformation, manufacturing turnaround or change management programmes.

Within the initial engagement, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Implement site-wide 5S standards.
• Introduce effective SQCDE management boards and review routines.
• Establish clear production rate and capacity visibility.
• Develop a prioritised operational improvement action plan.
• Improve operational discipline and performance management.
• Deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery and productivity performance.

A pragmatic manufacturing improvement professional who is comfortable working on the shopfloor, challenging existing ways of working, engaging teams at all levels and delivering sustainable operational change through structured improvement methodologies.

G&P is a world-leading quality management services provider, supporting manufacturers in the automotive, defence, aerospace and industrial sectors, and their associated supply chains, to transform quality and efficiency levels.

With over 30 years of experience, we provide tailored solutions through senior management support and expert personnel from our dedicated talent division. Through our award-winning engineering, technical, inspection and talent services, we help businesses minimise risk, maximise performance and achieve operational excellence.

Operating from strategic hubs in six countries, we continue to grow across new sectors, always focused on eliminating disruptions and supporting our clients’ drive to zero defects.

G&P is an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.