Continuous Improvement Manager

ARM; Carnwath; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Advanced Resource Managers is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to identify and implement improvement initiatives across a major Scottish fabrication and construction operation. The role focuses on embedding lean thinking and driving cultural change that enhances efficiency, quality and collaboration across the business.

The successful candidate will spend substantial time on the workshop floor, in design and project teams, and on construction sites, leading sustainable improvements and

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading CI initiatives in manufacturing/fabrication/engineering environments.
• Strong understanding of Lean, CI, Operational Excellence or similar methodologies.
• Experience delivering measurable improvements through process optimisation and change management.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills across all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data-driven approach.

Responsibilities

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the business.
• Lead the development and implementation of the continuous improvement strategy.
• Develop structured systems for capturing, evaluating, and implementing improvement initiatives.
• Drive employee engagement in CI activities and monitor participation.
• Collaborate with departments to improve communication, workflow, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Support project delivery by optimising material and information flow across lifecycles.
• Monitor KPIs to measure performance and impact of improvements.
• Embed lean principles in a practical, sustainable way throughout the workforce.
• Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to embed improvements in daily operations.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Operational excellence

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Job description

Continuous Improvement Manager

Salary DEO

Scotland - Lanark

Advanced Resource Managers are working with one of the UK's leading structural steel fabrication and construction companies, designing, fabricating and erecting structural steelwork projects throughout the UK and Ireland.

We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to identify and implement improvement initiatives while championing operational excellence across both the fabrication facility and wider construction business.

Reporting directly to the Operations Director, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape the organisation's continuous improvement strategy from the ground up. The successful candidate will be responsible for embedding lean thinking, empowering teams, and driving cultural change that enhances efficiency, quality, and collaboration across the business.

This is a highly visible, hands-on role, with significant time spent where value is created: on the workshop floor, within design and project teams, and on construction sites. You will work alongside employees at all levels to implement sustainable improvements and establish a culture of continuous improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity to make a genuine impact within a well-established organisation that continues to invest in its people, equipment, and processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the business.
• Lead the development and implementation of the company's continuous improvement strategy.
• Develop structured systems for capturing, evaluating, and implementing improvement initiatives.
• Drive employee engagement in continuous improvement activities and monitor participation and contribution levels.
• Work collaboratively with all departments to improve communication, workflow, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Support project delivery across all lifecycle stages by optimising material and information flow.
• Monitor and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure business performance and the effectiveness of improvement initiatives.
• Embed lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles in a practical and sustainable way throughout the workforce.
• Support project teams in improving efficiency, quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
• Identify and eliminate waste, downtime, bottlenecks, and non-value-added activities.
• Provide visible leadership, coaching, and mentoring to ensure improvement initiatives become embedded within day-to-day operations.
• Promote a data-driven approach to decision-making and performance improvement.

Requirements

• Proven experience leading continuous improvement initiatives within a manufacturing, fabrication, engineering, or industrial environment.
• Strong understanding of Lean, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, or similar methodologies.
• Demonstrable experience delivering measurable business improvements through process optimisation and change management.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to drive improvement decisions.
• Hands-on and pragmatic approach, with a willingness to spend time on the shop floor, in offices, and on sites to understand operational challenges and opportunities.
• Experience within the structural steel industry would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Candidates from alternative manufacturing, engineering, or construction-related sectors with a strong track record of operational improvement are encouraged to apply.