EMEA Lean Manufacturing Excellence Lead

Ball Corporation; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ball Corporation seeks a Manufacturing Excellence Leader to oversee Plant-based Manufacturing Excellence Managers across the EMEA region, deploying and sustaining a lean-based management system. The role focuses on standardization, operational excellence, and measurable value creation across sites while partnering with regional and site leadership to meet cost, quality, and service targets.

You will lead deployment strategies, training and coaching, drive continuous improvement, remove barriers,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience deploying Lean methodologies in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing and leading others, ideally in a matrix organization.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead initiatives end to end.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results through influence rather than direct authority.
• Solid working knowledge of Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies.
• Understanding of financial statements and manufacturing cost drivers.
• Experience with coaching, training, and capability development.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to adapt messaging from shop floor to senior leadership.
• Fluency in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Manufacturing Excellence Managers in deploying a standardized Lean-Based Management System across EMEA plants
• Define and execute deployment strategies, planning, training, coaching, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Facilitate change management and ensure effective adoption and long-term sustainment of Lean thinking
• Identify, clarify, and remove barriers to operational excellence within manufacturing plants and regional production groups
• Lead multiple strategic and operational improvement projects from identification and analysis through implementation and sustainable execution
• Deliver measurable manufacturing cost savings and efficiency improvements
• Drive the continuous evolution of the Manufacturing Excellence Model to improve competitiveness in cost, quality, and service
• Partner with leadership to define, scope, launch, and deliver initiatives aligned with organizational priorities
• Make complex decisions and recommendations with limited direction, using sound judgment and initiative
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders across the regional manufacturing organization
• Proactively manage risk and communicate project progress, results, challenges, and lessons learned
• Facilitate knowledge sharing, best practice exchange, and benchmarking within the region and across Continuous Improvement networks

Skills

Lean methodologies

Leadership

Project management

Influence without authority

Lean Six Sigma

Financial acumen

Coaching

Communication

Excel

PowerPoint

English fluency

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Ball Corporation seeks a Manufacturing Excellence Leader to oversee Plant-based Manufacturing Excellence Managers across the EMEA region, deploying and sustaining a lean-based management system. The role focuses on standardization, operational excellence, and measurable value creation across sites while partnering with regional and site leadership to meet cost, quality, and service targets.

You will lead deployment strategies, training and coaching, drive continuous improvement, remove barriers,