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 Widnes
At the north-eastern edge of Cheshire lies Widnes, a town of around 60,000 population built on heavy industry, particularly chemicals, where ICI had a huge presence for decades before fragmenting in the 1990s. The chemical industry chose Widnes partly for the plentiful supply of water, just like Runcorn, to which it is joined by a railway and road bridge over the Mersey.
The centre of Liverpool is 11 miles (17 km) to the west, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport just 4 miles (7km) form the centre of Widnes. Although not actually in Widnes, the Jaguar Land rover car production plant is just outside the town in Halewood, and it has been a large employer of people from Widnes. For decades the plant was owned by Ford, and the locals still cal the main boulevard that passes it “The Ford Road”. Under the new management, the factory is doing extremely well, helped by a local enthusiastic workforce.
Widnes has two musical claims to fame, one certain, one apocryphal. First was the Stone Roses’ Spike Island gig, the pinnacle of the Madchester scene in 1990. The second claim is that Paul Simon wrote “Homeward Bound” at Widnes Station, although Simon isn’t 100% sure himself!
Widnes has retained many of its industrial plants, although they are no longer owned by the giant ICI, and have been taken over by a multitude of companies. The well-connected town is handy for Liverpool, Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn, and has the M62 at its northern point. All this makes it a good place to locate any logistics operations, and indeed, Continuous Improvement Manager jobs or similar positions have been through our system in Widnes.
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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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