Continuous Improvement Lead

Excel Recruitment; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Excel Recruitment is partnering with a leading Irish retail organisation to recruit a Continuous Improvement Lead based in Cork. You will develop and lead CI strategy across retail stores, warehousing operations and production facilities, driving lean thinking and efficiency improvements across the Munster network.

The role focuses on delivering measurable benefits through governance, change management and data-driven performance tracking, while coaching leaders in CI best practices.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience leading Continuous Improvement or Transformation programmes.
• Experience across retail, FMCG, manufacturing, warehousing or logistics.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale process improvement and measurable benefits.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Continuous Improvement strategy and roadmap.
• Lead large-scale improvement projects from concept through to implementation.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational performance, productivity and cost efficiency.
• Drive Lean thinking and CI methodologies across the business.
• Facilitate process mapping, value stream analysis and waste elimination.
• Establish governance frameworks to ensure on-time delivery and measurable outcomes.
• Champion change management and support leaders in embedding new ways of working.
• Develop performance metrics, dashboards and reporting for project success.
• Coach and mentor operational leaders in Lean tools and problem-solving.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Value Stream Mapping

Root Cause Analysis

Data Analytics

Stakeholder Management

Change Management

Cross-functional Leadership

Problem Solving

Job description

Munster Role | Retail, Warehousing & Production Operations

We are partnering with a leading Irish retail organisation to recruit a Continuous Improvement Lead who will play a pivotal role in shaping operational performance across a Munster network of retail stores, warehousing operations and production facilities.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the senior leadership team, and based in Cork you will develop and lead the Continuous Improvement strategy across multiple business functions, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, optimise operational performance and deliver sustainable commercial results.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the organisation's Continuous Improvement strategy and roadmap.
• Lead large-scale business improvement and transformation projects from concept through to implementation.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational performance, productivity and cost efficiency across retail, warehousing and production operations.
• Drive Lean thinking and continuous improvement methodologies throughout the business.
• Facilitate process mapping, value stream analysis and waste elimination initiatives.
• Establish governance frameworks to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope and achieve measurable outcomes.
• Champion change management and support leaders in embedding new ways of working.
• Develop performance metrics, dashboards and reporting to monitor project success and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coach and mentor operational leaders in Lean tools, problem-solving techniques and continuous improvement best practice.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Continuous Improvement leader with a proven track record of delivering operational transformation within large, complex environments.

You will bring:

• 8+ years' experience leading Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence or Business Transformation programmes.
• Experience working across retail, FMCG, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics or supply chain environments.
• Demonstrated success delivering large-scale process improvement and transformation initiatives.
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping and Root Cause Analysis.
• Experience implementing change programmes that deliver measurable commercial and operational benefits.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to use data to identify opportunities and influence strategic decisions.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at executive level.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to coach, engage and inspire teams across multiple business functions.