Opex Selection

Head of Lean Manufacturing Grtr Birmingham Multi-Site Manuf. OFFERED Mar 2026 c. £100,000 + Co. Car / Allowance + Bonus (10-15%) Greater Birmingham with travel Board-Sponsored Operational Excellence Leadership Role UPDATE 27 March 2026: We are continuing to review applications in agreement with the client, but please note that this position is at offer stage. OPEX Selection is supporting a UK-based specialist manufacturer in the appointment of a Head of Lean Manufacturing, a newly created senior leadership role with genuine authority, sponsorship and long-term progression. The organisation was acquired by a US industrial group four years ago and now operates as part of a wider international manufacturing network with an established global business system. While this system is well embedded in other regions, its application within the UK remains at an earlier stage. Following the appointment of a new UK Board, there is renewed clarity, energy and commitment to operational excellence. Lean is positioned as a strategic enabler, not a support function, and this role has been created to lead that agenda with credibility and impact. The Role: Reporting to the Operations Director, you will take ownership of Lean manufacturing across six UK manufacturing sites, working closely with Manufacturing Managers to embed principles, behaviours and capability at site level. This is a highly visible, people-focused leadership role, combining coaching, influence and hands-on delivery. Leading the deployment and embedding of Lean manufacturing principles across multiple sites Partnering with Manufacturing Managers to drive engagement, ownership and sustainable change Establishing and directly coaching a team of dedicated Lean Coordinators across three sites Personally leading high-impact Lean and Six Sigma projects where required, setting the standard for delivery Designing and delivering Green Belt training to build internal capability and succession Acting as the UK Lean lead, aligned to a wider global business system and supported by both UK and US leadership The business has previously operated a localised Continuous Improvement structure that was later disbanded. With a new Board in ow place, this appointment represents a deliberate reset, with clearer sponsorship, stronger alignment and a more mature, sustainable approach. Requirements: This role will suit a senior Lean leader who enjoys influencing through trust, credibility and collaboration rather than authority alone. You are likely to bring: Proven experience embedding Lean within manufacturing environments, ideally across multiple sites Experience working within, or deploying, a structured business or operating system in a manufacturing environment, ideally within an international or group-owned organisation Comfortable aligning local operations to global standards while balancing pragmatism, pace and site-level engagement A coaching-led, people-centric approach with the confidence to challenge constructively Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence at all levels Experience developing Lean capability within operational teams The ambition and presence to progress into a future Board-level role Why This Opportunity? Newly created role with a clear mandate Strong sponsorship from a refreshed UK Board and US parent organisation Opportunity to shape and embed Lean rather than inherit legacy structures Genuine scope to progress to the main Board within a three-year horizon

A leading UK manufacturing specialist is seeking a Head of Lean Manufacturing to lead Lean initiatives across six sites in the Greater Birmingham area. This newly created role offers a strategic opportunity to embed Lean principles and drive operational excellence with strong support from leadership. The ideal candidate will have a background in manufacturing, excel in coaching and influencing teams, and aim for progression into senior management. A competitive salary and benefits package is also included.

£100,000 - £110,000 (depending on experience) + Bonus (c. 50%) + Benefits London / Africa This is a unique opportunity for a senior level lean / continuous improvement specialist to drive lean and six sigma initiatives and projects in diverse and exciting organisations across Africa. Please note that the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt will be based from central London with around 50% - 60% of time in Africa. It is essential that candidates have experience of working in Africa. This is a career opportunity, leading to a range of opportunities in the UK and globally with further significant earnings and bonus potential in the future. Our client has established themselves as a highly dynamic multi billion USD turnover group, diversified across a wide number of industries globally. We require a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt to focus on their expanding presence (through organic growth and acquisition) in Africa, initially working with around 20 African based group organisations and capitalising on the immense economic opportunity and growth in the continent. The organisations are large and are spread across a diverse range of industries including manufacturing, IT, telecommunications, retail and financial services. The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt will be based from our client's EMEA head office in central London with around 50% - 60% travel (working across Africa, often for one or two weeks at a time). You will take on a remit of identifying and managing lean six sigma / process improvement projects, supporting and coaching colleagues and facilitating workshops for site teams with focus on implementing a culture of continuous improvement and sustainability. To be considered you will have a broad industry background having progressed your career in large / best practice organisations across ANY sector, however experience of both manufacturing and the service sector is of particular interest. You will possess experience at Senior Management level or above and have extremely strong lean skills / toolbox along with six sigma black belt or master black belt certification. You will be a passionate project manager, coach and trainer with much experience of successful engagement of a range of levels and people (from shop floor to Senior Management). It is essential that you are degree educated or above and have experience of working and implementing lean initiatives in multiple countries and cultures, including working in Africa. Language skills are of interest, French in particular, but this is not an essential criteria for the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt position. Our client is highly committed to the recruitment process and the major stakeholders appreciate the value of true operational / business excellence.

A dynamic multi-billion USD turnover group is seeking a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt to drive improvement initiatives in diverse organizations primarily across Africa. Based in central London, this role involves significant travel, approximately 50% of the time, to work with large group organizations. Candidates must have a proven track record in process improvement within large organizations, preferably with experience across multiple sectors, including manufacturing and service. This career opportunity offers high earning potential and significant growth in a vibrant market.