CI/Operational Improvement Manager

Winsearch; Audenshaw; On-site; GBP 40,500 - 49,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

25 days holiday

Training & development

Career progression

Job summary

Winsearch is seeking a Continuous Improvement / Business Operations Development Manager for a well-established aerospace manufacturer in Greater Manchester. The role oversees improvement initiatives across production and business operations, driving Lean practices and delivering measurable gains in efficiency, quality and cost control.

Based in Tameside/Greater Manchester, you will lead projects, run root-cause analyses and collaborate with Production, Quality and Engineering teams to

Qualifications

• Experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence or related roles in manufacturing.
• Strong Lean Manufacturing knowledge and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to lead improvement projects from concept to implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects across manufacturing and operations.
• Analyse processes to improve efficiency, productivity and quality.
• Implement Lean principles and drive a culture of continuous improvement.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and monitor KPIs to track improvement impact.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality and Engineering teams to enhance performance.
• Identify waste and implement cost-saving initiatives.

Job description

Continuous Improvement / Business Operations Development Manager

Location: Tameside, Greater Manchester

Salary: £45,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

The Company

Our client is a well-established aerospace manufacturer supplying precision-engineered components and assemblies to major global OEMs and Tier 1 aerospace customers. Renowned for quality, innovation and on-time delivery, the business continues to invest in its people, processes and operational capabilities to support ongoing growth.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an improvement-focused manufacturing professional to take ownership of continuous improvement initiatives across production and business operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects across manufacturing and operational departments.
• Analyse existing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity and quality.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing principles and drive a culture of continuous improvement.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Facilitate process mapping and workflow improvement activities.
• Work closely with Production, Quality and Engineering teams to improve operational performance.
• Identify waste and implement cost-saving initiatives.
• Support employee engagement and continuous improvement training programmes.
• Drive standardisation of processes and best practice across the business.
• Present improvement plans and project updates to senior management.

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Previous experience in a Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Manufacturing Improvement or Business Improvement role.
• Experience working within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead improvement projects from concept through to implementation.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable

• Aerospace manufacturing experience.
• Sheet metal fabrication background.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering and technical drawings.
• Knowledge of AS9100 quality standards.
• Lean Six Sigma qualification (Yellow, Green or Black Belt).
• Experience working within a precision engineering environment.

The Person

You will be a hands‑on individual with a passion for improving processes and driving positive change. Comfortable working both on the shop floor and with senior management, you will be capable of identifying opportunities, influencing stakeholders and delivering measurable business improvements.

This opportunity would suit candidates currently working as:

• Continuous Improvement Engineer
• Continuous Improvement Manager
• Manufacturing Engineer
• Production Engineer
• Operational Excellence Engineer
• Business Improvement Coordinator
• Lean Manufacturing Specialist
• Operations Improvement Manager

Benefits

• £45,000 salary
• Company pension
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Ongoing training and development
• Excellent long‑term career prospects
• Opportunity to work within a growing aerospace manufacturing business supplying major OEM customers
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