Head of Lean Manufacturing | Grtr Birmingham | Multi-Site Manuf. 2nd stage ints: wc: 02 Mar 2026

Head of Lean Manufacturing | Grtr Birmingham | Multi-Site Manuf. 2nd stage ints: wc: 02 Mar 2026c. £100,000 + Co. Car / Allowance + Bonus (10-15%)Greater Birmingham with travelBoard-Sponsored Operational Excellence Leadership RoleSecond stage interviews: wc 02 Mar 2026OPEX 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 sitesPartnering with Manufacturing Managers to drive engagement, ownership and sustainable changeEstablishing and directly coaching a team of dedicated Lean Coordinators across three sitesPersonally leading high-impact Lean and Six Sigma projects where required, setting the standard for deliveryDesigning and delivering Green Belt training to build internal capability and successionActing as the UK Lean lead, aligned to a wider global business system and supported by both UK and US leadershipThe 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 sitesExperience working within, or deploying, a structured business or operating system in a manufacturing environment, ideally within an international or group-owned organisationComfortable aligning local operations to global standards while balancing pragmatism, pace and site-level engagementA coaching-led, people-centric approach with the confidence to challenge constructivelyStrong interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence at all levelsExperience developing Lean capability within operational teamsThe ambition and presence to progress into a future Board-level roleWhy This Opportunity?Newly created role with a clear mandateStrong sponsorship from a refreshed UK Board and US parent organisationOpportunity to shape and embed Lean rather than inherit legacy structuresGenuine scope to progress to the main Board within a three-year horizon #J-18808-Ljbffr