Reporting to: Director of Manufacturing

Main Purpose of Role

The Head of Manufacturing Excellence is responsible for leading a team of 3 Process Engineers to deliver initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve quality performance. This role is a key leadership position responsible for the delivery of innovation and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing in-line with operational strategic objectives. This role leads change through embedding a culture of Continuous Improvement across manufacturing to deliver the effective implementation of standardisation and workstream / process optimisation to deliver sustained efficiencies across the manufacturing estate.

Role Summary

You will develop and implement a programme of Continuous Improvement activity, conduct process analysis, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across Manufacturing. The Head of Manufacturing Excellence plays an integral role in helping to foster a culture of sustainable change through the creation and embedding of methodology using the principles of LEAN, Six Sigma, and Agile and the supporting frameworks to deliver business improvement and transformation. 

This position is also key in supporting the onboarding of new business or workstreams to ensure the successful solution design, implementation, and monitoring of operational processes and procedures. Furthermore, this role is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring  a training & development programme that evaluates the future competency / capability requirements for the business and ensuring that our colleagues have the correct skill sets in order to meet the current and future needs of the function. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Leadership, oversight and development of site C.I programmes – ensuring consistency in C.I approach and the capture and sharing of best practice.
• Development of strategies and initiatives related to C.I and Lean Manufacturing to drive operational performance, quality improvement, and standardisation across manufacturing. 
• Support the incident management process, including root cause analysis and remediation activity.
• Functional leadership of C.I activity and resources, working with operational leadership teams to ensure consistent delivery of improvement and standardisation initiatives.
• Lead process mapping, analysis, documentation (SOP), and re-engineering to optimise workflows and eliminate inefficiencies.
• Supporting the assessment and onboarding of new business opportunities / wins including training and procedural documentation requirements.
• Identify and implement industry best practices and methodologies, such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile.
• Establish KPIs to monitor process performance and deliver measurable improvements.
• Drive cultural change by embedding a mindset of continuous improvement across manufacturing.
• Work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders to identify opportunities for strategic improvements. 
• Support the Director of Manufacturing in the design and implementation of the Operational Strategy suggesting opportunities for further improvement or refinement to the Strategy.

Location

Primary location Huddersfield with a requirement to periodically spend time in Leicester & Glasgow.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior manufacturing position.
• Proven track record in implementing C.I methodology and leading successful Operational Excellence programmes in manufacturing environments (experience in the print sector is a preferable but not a necessity).
• Six Sigma Green Belt or above (or equivalent training in alternative C.I discipline)
• Effective workshop facilitator 
• Proactive problem solver who is cost orientated with strong numerical skills.
• Team builder and collaborator with a motivational coaching approach and strong communication skills.

Desirable Experience

• Project management experience (Prince 2 / Agile)