Continuous Improvement Manager jobs
Left to their own devices, most businesses’ operations will tend not to improve, but will at best stagnate and at worst deteriorate. Many factors are at play, such as the ongoing training of staff in the latest technologies; systems of operation becoming obsolete or problematic issues being worked around rather than dealt with; or departments not working together on issues that affect them both.
The continuous improvement manager will be tasked with ensuring that every aspect of a complex business is growing in profitability by seeking out financial leaks and inefficiencies and dealing with their root causes. When deployed properly it’s a troubleshooter job with real teeth, overseeing multiple departments and not only ensuring best practices are being observed individually but also making sure changes that affect one department do not have a deleterious on others, unless in the big picture it makes good business sense.
A good sense of priority will be required of the CI manager, too. Changes that make the biggest impact will always be top of the agenda; there’s no point getting bogged down with the small things. What’s more, as the name of the position suggests, what is the top priority this week might not necessarily be top priority next week. It’s a job where planning and reacting take equal precedence.
The skills required
Excellent time, project and people management skills are a must, and an ability to juggle several different departments’ needs to reach an optimum conclusion will essential. An ability to communicate complex and perhaps even unpopular concepts to other departments who may or may not be technically subordinate to you will also be vital. You will also need to be completely familiar with the needs and goals of the company, both short-term and strategically.
Excellent data analysis skills will help with this communication, as it will be required to explain major changes to all levels of the company.
Continuous Improvement Manager Jobs in Darlington
Anyone familiar with the history of railways will already be familiar with the name Darlington. The 26-mile Stockton and Darlington railway was the first commercial railway in the world, opened in 1825 to great acclaim. Within 50 years, the railway system covered the whole country, and many of the mainlines remain in place today. Because of its early adoption, Darlington became a centre of engineering, with several of the large companies, including Robert Stephenson & Co., setting up there.
Bridge building and engineering are still strongly associated with the town. The Darlington name is embossed on bridges the world over, and many a lorry driver will be familiar with the name Cummins, the American engineering firm that makes diesel engines among many other things, which has a plant in Darlington employing around 700 people.
Darlington was originally a market town, part of the reason it required a rail link, and that remains today, with much of the surrounding area being served by its shopping area. Its largest single employer is Orange, which has a call centre there. The town is well served by rail, air and road, with great links to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool. With so much engineering and commerce going on, and a mobile population, Darlington is a great place to look for Continuous Improvement Manager jobs, so please get in touch if you’re in the area looking for this kind of work.
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Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
People approach us looking for work for many reasons, chief among them seeking more fulfilment, moving house or looking for a promotion. Cast UK is the consultancy that not only candidates but also many employers come to first, so if you’re looking for a career change in logistics, there’s a good chance we’ll have a great job for you.
Cast UK’s founder members are from the logistics, procurement and supply chain sectors, and our consultants are from the same fields, so we know what both employers and candidates are looking for. Our own success depends on our filling management and executive positions with the best people, so we have an interest in making sure we know our candidates and employers as well as possible.
The positions we offer cover the whole of the UK, so please check out what’s available in your region and do get in touch if you’ve seen something you’re interested in – your career might be about to take a turn for the better!
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Continuous Improvement Manager for your business or find you a job as a Continuous Improvement Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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