Lean Specialist

We are currently recruiting a Lean Specialist Manager focused on working with managers and employees to deploy the Wincanton Lean Continuous Improvement Framework within their teams’ practices. This includes a healthy balance of leading, directing and coaching managers & employees on how to embed tools & techniques from the Lean/CI toolkit into their day to day practices and improvement initiatives. The role will also include developing and designing processes, while working closely with operations and senior stakeholders.

**About the Role**

In this role, you will combine your structured problem solving, change leadership, and process improvement skills in working with cross functional teams and employees to identify and implement solutions that lead to measurable and sustainable benefits. As an agent of change, you will be critical to building a sustainable culture and future that has Lean Continuous Improvement embedded at its core of the functions you support.

The scope of the role spans people, process and technology, across the Distribution Centres and Transport Operations as well as integrating with support functions.

The challenge is to be able to develop a Lean way of working accessible to all employees that aligns with the Wincanton vision and strategy and supports the development of managers at all levels taking them towards a system of thinking and culture.

Your main responsibilities will include:
Delivery of Sustainable Improvement Initiatives
- Develop and integrate the Lean and Continuous Improvement Strategy across the business functions with a defined roadmap for the next 2 years.
- Provide coaching / mentoring support to who are executing Lean CI improvement initiatives within the business areas you support.
- Lead continuous improvement projects and rapid improvement events that deliver operational improvement.
- Process design optimisation of current and new distribution layouts delivering sustainable infrastructure within operations.

Partner with operational managers/functions to develop and sustain results
- Effectively facilitate workshops that engage attendees to deliver specified outcomes to a robust and established toolset: a strong communicator.
- Employee Engagement / System of Improvement in line with the World Class Manufacturing principles.
- Participate in building CI Awareness with Employees and Managers at all levels.
- Engage employees to proactively utilise CI approaches in their day to day and future ways of working.

System of Improvement / CI Culture
- Work with employees and managers in building / sustaining a Lean CI Culture with a system of Improvement delivering tangible sustained benefits.
- Deliver visual management which must cover the Key Performance Indicator scorecard.
- Utilise P.D.C.A for all lead improvements.
- Utilise CI tools & techniques coaching to develop as a natural behaviour that supports the upskilling of all teams.

Building CI Capability
- Change Management with a project delivery emphasis.
- Act as change agent to instil a Continuous Improvement Culture throughout the teams you support.
- Support teams to challenge the status quo to deliver a positive and sustainable changes.
- Influence change in people, processes, systems.

**About You**
- Must be experienced in leading teams and working collaboratively with key stakeholders including board level.
- Proven track record of coaching colleagues & management teams in building a mature Lean / CI capability across end to end Value Streams within Sites
- Experience in deploying CI in:

- a service environment
- a head office environment
- supply chain environment
- Proven track record as an internal/external consultant leading and closing a variety of Lean / CI improvement projects (such as value stream transformation, D.M.A.I.C, Kaizen/ Rapid Improvement Events,)
- CI Specialist Certification, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certified, or equivalent
- World Class Manufacturing background with significant knowledge and delivery using the 10 pillars.
- Prince 2 qualification would be beneficial.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written/listening, presentation) including the ability to communicate to both technical and business colleagues - must be able to discuss complex issues in a plain and concise manner.
- Knowledge of potential sources of risk and how to mitigate their impact on project success
- An ability to identify, analyse and quickly assimilate information is essential.
- A structured and self-disciplined approach to work; effective at managing own time with good planning skills.
- A can-do attitude, with enthusiasm and resilience.
- Good at building positive working relationships throughout the business.
- Good listening skills, clarifying and challenging where required.
- Must be a team player, contributing to all aspects of work carried out by the department and collaborating as required to achieve department and corporate objectives.