Process Excellence & Knowledge Management Lead

MBDA; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization MBDA seeks a Process Excellence & Knowledge Management Lead to enhance productivity through governance and collaboration. This role involves promoting Knowledge Management initiatives while ensuring excellence in manufacturing processes. Applicants should have formal qualifications and a passion for continuous improvement.

Benefits

Company bonus: Up to £2,500 based on performance

Pension contribution up to 14%

Opportunity for paid overtime

Up to 15 additional days of Flexi Leave

Subsidised meals and free car parking

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to interpret data using structured approaches.
• Experience leading practical problem-solving with teams.

Responsibilities

• Promote and deliver Knowledge Management initiatives.
• Lead development of collaborative systems to reduce inefficiencies.
• Ensure quality control and functional excellence.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Excellent interpersonal skills

Education

Level 3 (NVQ) or equivalent apprenticeship

Formal further education certificate to HNC

BEng in relevant Engineering or Science Degree

Job description

If you are motivated by governance and a collaborative approach to problem solving that will increase productivity as we drive towards trebling our production rates while reducing our costs, this new and exciting role may suit you.

Job Title: Process Excellence & Knowledge Management Lead

Salary: Circa £50,000 - depending on experience

Location: Bolton

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 4-5 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance:

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…

The opportunity:

To be part of the Manufacturing Function team delivering functional excellence and knowledge management support to manufacturing business units.

You will support production in the delivery of missile systems to our UK & international customers, leading and supporting process investigations. You will also promote collaborative working between functional disciplines, which will increase productivity as we drive towards trebling our production rates while reducing our costs. There will be a requirement to liaise with other functions within MBDA ensuring they are fully aware of all governance activities that are ongoing within the business.

In this role you will provide leadership, direction and support across production at all levels of the organisation, promoting and delivering knowledge management initiatives across Manufacturing UK, producing UK-wide metrics.

As a Functional Team member your main responsibilities will involve:

• Promote and deliver Knowledge Management initiatives across MBDA Manufacturing UK.
• Removal of inefficiencies from manufacturing processes.
• Leading the development and implementation of collaborative systems of work, promoting excellent behaviours across functions and business units.
• Cross functional interaction to ensure necessary standards of work are maintained in accordance with the demands of the wider Manufacturing UK business.
• Responsible for process confirmation that all deployed resource (within the relevant skill pool) are working in accordance with the requirements set by the MBDA policies and procedures.
• Reduce defective issues within the business which include concessions, rework and non-conformances using a structured approach (8D / PDCA / DMAIC, etc, etc).
• Quality Defect Report engagement and resolution.
• Create and maintain the foundation for standard work for business processes, and facilitate improvement activities within the manufacturing facility.
• Assess the ramifications of the self-audit process and recommend/support remedial and corrective actions in proportion to the level of business risk.
• Responsible for the maintenance of functional excellence within the relevant skill pool.
• Working closely with CI teams to ensure improvement initiatives adhere to process or confirm when the process needs change.

What we're looking for from you:

• Level 3 (NVQ) or equivalent apprenticeship AND Formal further education certificate to HNC (Level 3) or equivalent in a relevant subjectOR BEng in relevant Engineering or Science Degree required
• Passion for Continuous Improvement.
• Working in or supporting operations in a fast paced production environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence teams outside of your direct reporting structure.
• Experience in the use & understanding of Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma methodologies, including leading practical problem solving exercises with multi-functional teams.
• The ability to produce, maintain and interpret data using a structured approach.
• Manage projects and/or improvements from ‘cradle to grave’.
• Good Manufacturing Operations knowledge achieved through experience and understanding of industry best practice.
• A Credible facilitator, skilled in Knowledge Management techniques.

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.