Continuous Improvement Manager - Walsall

Blue Arrow; Walsall; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Arrow is recruiting a Continuous Improvement Manager for a busy distribution operation in Walsall, West Midlands. The role focuses on practical, hands-on improvement initiatives across warehouse and supply chain activities, driving KPI uplifts and standardising ways of working through SOPs and process controls.

You will lead change management, coach leadership teams and embed a culture of continuous improvement, with emphasis on waste reduction, health & safety compliance, and measurable

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence or Operational Management.
• Experience within warehousing, logistics, manufacturing or distribution environments.
• Strong track record of delivering measurable operational improvements.
• Experience implementing Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma or similar methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience developing SOPs, workflows and process controls.
• A practical, hands-on approach to driving change.
• The ability to influence teams and gain buy-in across all levels of the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across warehouse and supply chain operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, quality and service levels.
• Analyse operational processes and workflows to eliminate waste and reduce inefficiencies.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures and process documentation.
• Drive KPI improvement through structured performance analysis and action planning.
• Support the optimisation of warehouse systems and operational processes.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
• Coach operational leaders and teams on continuous improvement principles.
• Lead change management projects and ensure improvements are embedded into daily operations.
• Support Health & Safety, compliance and operational best practice initiatives.
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement and operational excellence.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Problem-solving

Stakeholder mgmt

Analytical skills

Hands-on approach

Change management

Tools

ERP/WMS exposure

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Job description

Continuous Improvement Manager

Location: Walsall, West Midlands

Contract: Fixed-Term Contract (with potential for extension/permanency)

Hours: Monday to Friday

Job Description

About the Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Continuous Improvement Manager to join a large and complex distribution operation undergoing significant operational transformation.

Following a major site consolidation and business systems transition, the organisation is focused on improving operational performance, embedding best practice processes, standardising ways of working and creating a culture of continuous improvement.

This role will suit an individual who enjoys identifying inefficiencies, implementing sustainable improvements and working closely with operational teams to deliver measurable business results.

This is a hands-on role focused on practical implementation rather than theoretical continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across warehouse and supply chain operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, quality and service levels.
• Analyse operational processes and workflows to eliminate waste and reduce inefficiencies.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures and process documentation.
• Drive KPI improvement through structured performance analysis and action planning.
• Support the optimisation of warehouse systems and operational processes.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
• Coach operational leaders and teams on continuous improvement principles.
• Lead change management projects and ensure improvements are embedded into daily operations.
• Support Health & Safety, compliance and operational best practice initiatives.
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement and operational excellence.

Key Performance Areas

• Productivity improvement
• Labour utilisation
• Warehouse efficiency
• Stock accuracy
• Process compliance
• Operational KPIs
• Cost reduction
• Health & Safety performance
• Employee engagement

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence or Operational Management.
• Experience within warehousing, logistics, manufacturing or distribution environments.
• A strong track record of delivering measurable operational improvements.
• Experience implementing Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma or similar methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience developing SOPs, workflows and process controls.
• A practical, hands-on approach to driving change.
• The ability to influence teams and gain buy-in across all levels of the business.

Desirable Experience

• Lean Six Sigma qualification
• IOSH Managing Safely
• Change Management experience
• ERP or WMS exposure
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 exposure
• Warehousing, logistics or manufacturing sector experience

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people