Process Improvement Manager

Simpson Booth Ltd; Burnley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Simpson Booth Ltd. is seeking a Process Improvement Manager to lead and support operational excellence initiatives focused on reducing COPQ, improving process capability, and delivering measurable financial and operational benefits.

You will partner with site leadership and cross-functional teams to review processes, eliminate waste, and strengthen performance metrics while driving continuous improvement across oil & gas, energy, utilities and infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt; excellent leadership, analytical, and communication skills with the ability to influence at all organisational levels across diverse functions, cultures, and leadership levels.
• Change Management certification.
• Experience in Process Improvement, Operational Excellence, Quality, Continuous Improvement, or Business Transformation roles.
• Experience within service delivery environments supporting industrial sectors such as Oil & Gas, Energy, Utilities, and Critical Infrastructure.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional improvement programmes across multiple locations, regions, or business units.
• Proven experience implementing and managing Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) improvement programmes.
• Strong experience in root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead process improvement initiatives aligned with business priorities.
• Analyse end-to-end operational processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
• Design and implement sustainable process improvements using continuous improvement methodologies.
• Facilitate process mapping, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis workshops.
• Support digital transformation and AI initiatives where appropriate.
• Partner with site leadership teams to identify, quantify, and prioritise COPQ reduction opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives focused on reducing downtime, rework, waste, customer complaints, non-conformance, and other quality-related costs.
• Ensure improvement projects are linked to measurable COPQ reduction targets and financial benefits.
• Drive standardisation of best practices and preventive quality controls across operations.
• Collaborate with Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Finance teams to embed COPQ reduction into operational performance management.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Change Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Operations/Engineering/Supply Chain

Job description

Our client is a global provider of specialist technical services and technologies to the energy and wider infrastructure sector. They operate in several jurisdictions around the world, supporting onshore and offshore projects across oil & gas, renewables, utilities, and critical infrastructure.

The Role

The Process Improvement Manager will lead and support operational excellence initiatives, with a particular focus on reducing Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), improving process capability, enhancing customer satisfaction, and delivering sustainable financial and operational benefits.

The role partners with operational leaders and cross-functional teams to review and improve processes, eliminate waste, improve performance metrics, and support continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Process Improvement and Transformation

Lead process improvement initiatives aligned with business priorities.

Analyse end-to-end operational processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.

Design and implement sustainable process improvements using continuous improvement methodologies.

Facilitate process mapping, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis workshops.

Support digital transformation and AI initiatives where appropriate.

Support the COPQ Reduction Strategy

Partner with site leadership teams to identify, quantify, and prioritise COPQ reduction opportunities.

Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives focused on reducing downtime, rework, waste, customer complaints, non-conformance, and other quality-related costs.

Ensure improvement projects are linked to measurable COPQ reduction targets and financial benefits.

Drive standardisation of best practices and preventive quality controls across operations.

Collaborate with Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Finance teams to embed COPQ reduction into operational performance management.

Health, Safety and Environmental Responsibilities

Champion our Client's Safety culture and ensure that all process improvement initiatives support and strengthen safe working practices.

Ensure that Quality, Health, Safety, Environmental (QHSE) considerations are embedded into all process improvement, transformation, and standardisation activities.

Key Requirements

Skills & Experience

Job Specifical Education Required

Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related discipline.

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt; excellent leadership, analytical, and communication skills with the ability to influence at all organisational levels across diverse functions, cultures, and leadership levels.

Change Management certification.

Work Experience Required

Experience in Process Improvement, Operational Excellence, Quality, Continuous Improvement, or Business Transformation roles.

Experience within service delivery environments supporting industrial sectors such as Oil & Gas, Energy, Utilities, and Critical Infrastructure.

Demonstrated success leading cross-functional improvement programmes across multiple locations, regions, or business units.

Proven experience implementing and managing Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) improvement programmes.

Strong experience in root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action methodologies.

Experience partnering with operational leadership to improve service delivery performance and customer outcomes.

Skills and Knowledge

Strategic leadership with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Strong understanding of international codes, standards, and customer specifications.

Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making.

Excellent interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration and client engagement.

High ethical standards, safety focus, and commitment to quality integrity.

Technical excellence in operations and fabrication processes.

Strong understanding of international codes, standards, and customer specifications.

Requirement To Travel

Estimated requirement to travel circa 20–30% of time.