Job Description
Continuous Improvement Manager
Field Based - Permanent - Full Time - 39 hours
Field based position covering the North & South of the country
The Role
We have an exciting opportunity within the Central Retail Department for 2 x Continuous Improvement Manager covering the North and South of the country. The post holder must be passionate about collaboratively delivering sustainable process improvements through the development of others measured by improvements in cost, people and customer KPI’s. The Continuous Improvement Managers will be accountable for the identification and delivery of sustainable process improvements through the development of teams across the business in Continuous Improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma etc). Successful candidates will be measured against a variety of customer, people and financial metrics. The roles will initially be focused on retail-specific projects but will widen their scope over time. To identify, assess, prioritise and deliver sustainable process improvements in a collaborative manner balancing customer, people and cost opportunities aligned to the strategic plan. The Continuous Improvement Manager will need to work closely with teams across the business to break down silos and release process efficiencies through the development of others. The Continuous Improvement Manager will need to demonstrate high levels of tenacity, drive, commercial acumen and empathy in order to successfully deliver against a challenging improvement plan and will provide coaching and technical expertise on an ongoing basis.
Key Accountabilities:
Provide feedback on the Retail Strategic Plan and assist in assessment and prioritisation of opportunities
Become a trusted colleague with teams across the business and listen to the Voice of Customer (VOC) Voice of the Process (VOP) and Voice of the Business (VOB) to develop a dynamic hopper of process improvement priorities.
Work closely with the Project Management Team throughout the exploration, assessment and testing phases of projects to ensure that delivery plans are aligned both strategically and in terms of resource.
Develop close relationships with Finance, HR, H&S and Customer Teams to ensure the robust independent measurement reporting of benefits.
Provide regular training and coaching to teams across the business in Lean Six Sigma methodology along with ad-hoc sharing of relevant tools and techniques in the delivery of quick win results.
Along with the Communications Team, quickly develop a robust communications plan which creates both an ongoing pipeline of opportunities and acts as a vehicle for celebrating success so that the momentum of the programme can be maintained.
Maintain the team benefit reporting to a high standard and hold each other to account.
Utilise a broad spectrum of Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques and take care to apply the appropriate methodology to the problem at hand without alienating or confusing stakeholders.
Develop relationships with external efficiency communities to develop personal and organisational capabilities
Maintain strong relationships with Store, Regional and Central teams so that opportunities can be identified, prioritised and realised quickly in a collaborative manner which results in maximum benefit to the customer, our colleagues and the bottom line.
Manage specific projects and support strategic programmes where required.
The Person
Educated to degree level or have relevant Retail experience
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred (training can be provided) with the opportunity to develop into Black Belt
Very strong numeric and analytical skills
Experience of Minitab or similar statistical analysis would be beneficial
Strong Excel skills
Excellent stakeholder management skills - can provide examples of bringing a wide variety of people and teams on-board to a new way of thinking
Very strong presentation and PowerPoint skills with a proven ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation
Ability to train Continuous Improvement methodologies and coach projects through to certification
Proven operational experience in a retail environment
Store Management experience required
Ideally the candidate will be able to demonstrate examples of working with Continuous Improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma etc)
Proven change management experience
Proven experience of delivering under pressure within conflicting and changing priorities
Play a key role in the collection and prioritisation of improvement opportunities in preparation for the Ideas Forum and Change Board
Work closely with the PMO teams in the handover, delivery and assessment of projects
Field based role based at assigned store
National travel (as and when required)
Occasionally working and staying away from home