Lean Consultant

CLS - Complete Laboratory Solutions; Galway; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading laboratory services provider in Ireland is looking for an experienced Lean Consultant to lead high-impact continuous improvement initiatives. In this client-facing role, you will drive end-to-end improvement projects, ensuring measurable gains in quality and performance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Lean methodologies, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. The role requires adaptability and a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in successfully delivering end to end lean projects.
• Demonstrated experience in industry or consulting environments.
• Formal Lean certification (Green Belt / Black Belt or equivalent) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean transformation projects across client and internal environments.
• Conduct operational diagnostics and value stream analyses.
• Drive implementation of improvement initiatives.
• Build strong working relationships with client stakeholders.
• Coach client teams in Lean methodologies.

Skills

Lean methodologies

Analytical skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, Business or related discipline

Tools

Lean tools (VSM, 5S, SMED)

Data analysis tools

Job description

Overview

CLS is currently going through an unprecedented and exciting period of growth and development and is looking for dynamic, dedicated and solutions driven team members, who want to be part of the company’s continued success.

Founded in 1994, Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) is the highest accredited contract laboratory in Ireland and the leading provider of sampling, analysis, and analysts to the pharmaceutical, medical device, food, and environmental industries.

As well as analysis and testing at our commercial laboratories, CLS builds strategic partnerships with its clients to deliver a flexible and managed quality solution (FlexiQ) by supplying organisations with highly skilled, work-ready quality professionals on a temporary, project-specific, or long-term basis. This service can be provided at a CLS site or directly at the client's location.

Job Title, Summary & Reporting Line

We are seeking an experienced and driven Lean Consultant to lead and deliver high-impact continuous improvement initiatives across client organisations and internal operations. As a Lean Consultant, you will take ownership of end-to-end improvement projects from diagnostic assessment, through to implementation and sustainability; driving measurable gains in operational performance, cost efficiency, quality and service delivery. You will act as a trusted advisor to client stakeholders, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, and embed a culture of continuous improvement aligned with strategic business objectives. This is a client-facing role requiring strong analytical capability, commercial awareness, and the ability to influence at all organisational levels. The successful candidate will combine technical Lean expertise with leadership presence and practical implementation. Travel to and work on client sites will be required during project phases.

What’s important

• A qualification in Science, Engineering or related discipline
• Experience in successfully delivering end to end lean projects, in industry or consulting environments.
• Strong communication, analytical and reporting skills.
• Self-directed and results oriented with a focus on execution and delivery.

The Role

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the scoping, planning and execution of Lean transformation projects across client and internal environments.
• Conduct operational diagnostics, value stream analyses and root cause investigations to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop structured project plans with clear deliverables, timelines and measurable performance outcomes.
• Drive implementation of improvement initiatives, ensuring sustainable change and capability transfer within client teams.
• Monitor performance metrics post-implementation and embed control mechanisms to sustain gains.

Client Engagement & Advisory

• Build strong working relationships with client stakeholders at operational and senior management levels.
• Facilitate workshops, Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement sessions.
• Translate complex operational data into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
• Provide strategic input on operational excellence frameworks and continuous improvement roadmaps.
• Act as a trusted advisor, balancing challenge and support to drive accountability.

Change Management & Capability Building

• Lead change management initiatives to ensure adoption of new processes and systems.
• Coach client teams in Lean methodologies and continuous improvement principles.
• Design and deliver structured Lean training workshops.
• Embed problem-solving capability within client organisations.

Data & Systems Integration

• Conduct advanced data analysis to inform decision-making and quantify business impact.
• Develop dashboards, reporting frameworks and performance tracking systems.
• Identify opportunities to leverage digital tools and automation to enhance process performance.
• Ensure structured documentation of project outputs, methodologies and outcomes.

Where you’ve come from

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Business, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience delivering Lean or operational excellence projects in industry or consulting environments.
• Strong working knowledge of Lean tools and methodologies (e.g., VSM, 5S, SMED, Standard Work, Visual Management, Root Cause Analysis).
• Experience leading workshops and engaging stakeholders across multiple organisational levels.
• Formal Lean certification (Green Belt / Black Belt or equivalent) desirable.

Who you are

• Strong capability to analyse complex datasets and extract meaningful business insights.
• Ability to quantify financial and operational impact of improvement initiatives.
• Systems thinking approach with an understanding of end-to-end process flows.
• Confident facilitator with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to challenge constructively while maintaining collaborative relationships.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present insights clearly and persuasively to operational teams and senior leadership.
• Production of professional, high-impact deliverables.
• Results-oriented with strong execution focus.
• Adaptable and comfortable working in dynamic client environments.
• High levels of integrity and confidentiality.
• Self-directed with strong organisational and time management skills.
• Passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.