Regional Manufacturing Excellence Lead

Ball Aerospace; Luton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ball Corporation seeks a Regional Manufacturing Excellence Lead to guide Lean deployment across EMEA manufacturing sites from the UK and beyond. You will lead Manufacturing Excellence Managers, drive standardization, and deliver cost, quality, and service improvements while partnering with regional and site leadership.

The role requires 5+ years of Lean deployment, strong coaching and project leadership, and excellent communication to translate shop floor results to senior executives.

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.
• High level of computer literacy, particularly in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• 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

Leadership

Project management

Influence

Lean Six Sigma

Financial acumen

Coaching & development

Communication

English fluency

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Regional Manufacturing Excellence Lead

Company: Ball Corporation

Location: Luton, GB, LU1 3LG; Lille, FR, 59000; Kettering, ENG, GB; Bierne, FR, 59380; Genk, BE, 3600; Lummen, BE, 3560; Plzeň, CZ, 318 00; Beaurepaire, FR

Date: 9 Jul 2026

Job Category: Manufacturing/ Operations

Position Overview

This role is responsible for leading and managing Plant-based Manufacturing Excellence Managers across the EMEA region to deploy and sustain a lean-based Manufacturing Excellence model. The position focuses on driving standardization, operational excellence, and measurable value creation across manufacturing sites while supporting regional and site leadership in achieving cost, quality, and service objectives.

Key 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

Experience & Skills Required

• 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
• High level of computer literacy, particularly in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Fluency in English

Ball Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively encourage applications from everybody, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, faith, ability, or orientation.