Continuous Improvement Manager

Gategroup; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airline catering company in the UK seeks a Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Manager to streamline operations and enhance performance. This role demands 5+ years of relevant experience in sectors like manufacturing or healthcare and expertise in Lean/CI tools. You will conduct root cause analysis, mentor teams, and implement technology solutions to drive operational excellence. This position offers real career progression within a global brand that impacts local operations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in operations environments like manufacturing or healthcare.
• Experience using Lean/CI tools in previous roles.
• Proven management or supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Streamline operations and eliminate inefficiencies using Lean tools.
• Conduct root cause analysis to improve quality and delivery.
• Develop performance management systems for operational excellence.

Skills

Lean/CI tools

Problem-solving

Root cause analysis

Coaching

Team collaboration

Education

GCSE Maths/Science

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Manager

We're gategroup— the world's largest airline caterer. We feed millions of passengers annually across 200+ locations. Now we need someone to make us leaner, faster, and better.

What You'll Do

• Fix what's broken. Streamline what's clunky. Roll out best practice across our aviation and rail catering operations. You'll use Lean, Six Sigma, and proper problem‑solving tools to drive real improvements in quality, cost, and delivery.
• Conduct problem‑solving and root cause analysis using tools such as process mapping, Kaizen, value stream mapping, SMED, Poka‑yoke, FMEA, cause & effect analysis, and 5S to eliminate inefficiencies and defects.
• Develop and implement performance management systems that will help to measure and manage operational performance, compliance and quality.
• Partner with facilities operations managers, shift team leaders (in the operation) and compliance colleagues to plan and execute operational and tactical improvements.
• Drive development and rollout of technology tools into the operation.
• Partner with ops managers and shift leaders to identify waste, implement tech solutions, and embed our gateOPEX programme. Mentor teams, run kaizen events, analyse data, and deliver measurable wins.
• This isn't desk‑bound consultancy; you'll be onsite, getting your hands dirty and making changes stick!

What You'll Need

Essential:

• Proven track record using Lean/CI tools in manufacturing, pharma, healthcare, engineering, or automotive.
• 5+ year minimum experience in operations environments of manufacturing, pharmaceutical, healthcare, electronics/engineering or automotive.
• Management or supervisory experience.
• GCSE Maths/Science.
• Strong grasp of production systems (ERP, supply chain, planning).
• Ability to influence, coach, and get diverse teams pulling in the same direction.

Desirable:

• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt).
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical related field (advantageous).
• Project management credentials.

Why Join?

Career progression that's real (people genuinely move up, across, and internationally).

Work that fits your life. A global brand with local impact. And the satisfaction of fixing things that actually matter.

Interested? Apply now.