Lean Manufacturing Director

ZipRecruiter; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK is seeking a Lean Manufacturing Director to spearhead the design and execution of a lean strategy. This high-impact role focuses on eliminating inefficiencies, driving cultural transformation, and leveraging technology to enhance productivity and quality across manufacturing operations. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in lean methodologies and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of manufacturing and lean leadership experience.
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt required.

Responsibilities

• Develop a lean manufacturing roadmap aligned with strategic objectives.
• Lead initiatives including VSM, 5S, Standard Work, SMED, and Kanban.
• Integrate automation, IoT, AI, and smart manufacturing tools.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Leadership

Change Management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

ERP

MES

Job description

Job Description

As the Lean Manufacturing Director, you will lead the design and execution of a lean strategy that supports long-term business goals. This role will focus on eliminating inefficiencies, driving cultural transformation, and leveraging technology to boost productivity and quality.

Responsibilities:

1. Lean Strategy & Implementation

• Develop a lean manufacturing roadmap aligned with strategic objectives
• Implement Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Eliminate waste and streamline production processes

Operational Excellence

• Lead initiatives including VSM, 5S, Standard Work, SMED, and Kanban
• Introduce data-driven decision-making using real-time KPIs and analytics
• Empower employees to identify and solve operational challenges

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate across engineering, production, quality, and supply chain
• Train and mentor teams on lean tools and best practices
• Drive change management and employee engagement in lean initiatives

Performance Metrics & Cost Optimization

• Establish KPIs for efficiency, cycle time, defect rates, and OEE
• Lead cost-reduction and productivity improvement projects
• Conduct regular Gemba walks and audits to uphold lean practices

Digital Transformation & Industry 4.0

• Integrate automation, IoT, AI, and smart manufacturing tools
• Develop real-time process dashboards with IT and operations teams
• Apply predictive analytics and machine learning to optimize performance

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or similar
• 10+ years of manufacturing and lean leadership experience
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt
• Strong track record in large-scale operational excellence
• Knowledge of ERP, MES, and Industry 4.0 is a plus
• Excellent leadership, communication, and change management skills

This is a high-impact role with visibility across the business—ideal for a seasoned lean expert ready to take the next step in shaping world-class manufacturing operations. Apply now to lead transformation across a progressive and ambitious UK manufacturing group.