Continuous Improvement Lead

JR United Kingdom; Harlow; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Continuous Improvement Lead to revolutionize compounding operations. This role involves not just delivering projects but cultivating a culture of excellence by training future CI leaders. You will leverage Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to enhance productivity and streamline processes across multiple sites. Your expertise in data analysis will drive impactful change, ensuring sustainable improvements that resonate throughout the organization. If you're ready to make a significant difference in a dynamic healthcare environment, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Up-to 10% Annual Bonus

Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in continuous improvement within manufacturing.
• Strong leadership skills with a focus on building a CI culture.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute continuous improvement strategies aligned with goals.
• Lead cross-functional teams to implement improvement projects.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Lean Six Sigma

Data Analysis

Project Management

Change Management

Education

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Value Stream Mapping

Data Analysis Tools

Job description

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Location: Hybrid (circa 3 days on site weekly - Harlow & Derby sites)

Employment Type: Permanent, Hybrid (dual-site)

• Up-to 10% Annual Bonus
• Private Medical Insurance

We're working with a leading, big brand, healthcare business in the UK that works tirelessly to make patient treatment more accessible, personal, and safe. Every day, its teams deliver high-quality care to thousands of patients across the UK, supporting people with complex conditions through treatment plans that fit into real lives.

We’re looking for a Continuous Improvement (CI) Lead who is passionate about truly embedding change, building a culture of excellence, and shaping the future of compound manufacturing operations.

This isn’t a typical CI role.

You won’t just deliver projects — you’ll coach and build an academy of future CI Leaders to create sustainable change. Reporting directly to the Head of Compounding, you’ll work across both Derby and Harlow sites to embed a culture where continuous improvement is woven into the fabric of how the business works.

- Develop and execute a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy aligned with organisational goals.

- Identify and prioritise areas for improvement using data-driven analysis and stakeholder input.

- Implement Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve productivity.

Project Management:

- Lead cross-functional teams to plan, execute, and monitor improvement projects.

- Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and deliver measurable results.

- Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of initiatives.

Training and Development:

- Train and mentor employees at all levels on Lean and Six Sigma principles, tools, and techniques. Creating the sites CI academy.

- Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging employee involvement and ownership of processes.

Process Optimisation:

- Conduct value stream mapping to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks.

- Implement standardised work procedures and best practices to ensure consistency and quality.

- Collaborate with compounding teams to optimise equipment and workflow layouts.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

- Collect, analyse, and interpret data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement working in collaboration with site Quality, Warehouse & Compounding leads.

Change Management:

- Drive organisational change by effectively communicating the benefits of continuous improvement initiatives, Including town hall presentations & briefings.

- Address resistance to change and ensure buy-in from all stakeholders.

About You

To thrive in this role you will have:

• A proven change agent with experience driving and embedding continuous improvement within complex manufacturing or compounding environments.

• A leader who listens first, takes action, and inspires others to join the journey.

• Experience building CI culture at every level — not just delivering initiatives, but creating a sustainable way of working.

• Kaizen Leader, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or equivalent), with strong data-driven decision-making skills.

• Bonus points if you bring pharmaceutical manufacturing experience and a passion for technology and automation.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

Don't meet every single requirement? At Realise, we are dedicated to helping our clients build diverse, inclusive and authentic workplaces, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we would encourage you to apply anyway! You might be just the candidate we're looking for!

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