Head of Business Improvement - Harrogate

Head of Business Improvement Jobs

For a business to thrive, grow and attract the best talent, it must be on a constant mission for improvement. Improvement can manifest itself in many ways, from the small things that affect a few employees to a revolution in the way it does business that can propel it from an also-ran to a company at the top of its game. The most effective way to achieve improvement is to appoint a team or an individual whose job is solely to seek out business improvement opportunities and make them happen – in charge of this activity is the head of business improvement.

The job requires an ongoing analysis of the business and all its processes, or at least the processes within the remit of the head of business improvement. Armed with the financial figures for a given business activity, he or she observes and analyses the way it is carried out, talks with the people doing the work and try to come up with ways of improving it. This is not always a directly cost-saving or profit-enhancing measure. Sometimes an improvement might simply take the stress off certain employees, and the benefits will be long term – and the head of business improvement has the figures to prove it.

The skills required

An advanced ability to monitor and completely understand a business process and how it interacts with the rest of the business is a key attribute of a successful head of business improvement. You are able to come to a balanced appraisal of how a process works and what are the effects of making a change not only to it but also to the wider company. Where you consider that the benefits outweigh the costs, you will then have to make proposals to the board so that they can decide whether to implement them.

You are able to work on multiple processes at a time, and often change will have to be implemented gradually so that early effects can be assessed with a view to making more dramatic changes if necessary. This requires excellent analytical skills as well as a great interpersonal manner. It will be your job to convince all stakeholders that your proposals will have a benefit, which is not always easy, particularly where this might mean downsizing or relocation.

Head of Business Improvement Jobs in Harrogate

The North Yorkshire town of Harrogate came to national prominence in the 17th century as a spa town, and over the following centuries visitors would go to the place to take the waters, which they thought had healing properties. Of course, the common people would not have had the wherewithal or the ability to get to the town, especially since they would have been sick, so Harrogate became a resort for the wealthy. Hotels sprung up and the town took on a genteel atmosphere which, some would say, survives to this day. The streets of the town centre are lined with restaurants and cafes, and several large parks give the town a green feel.

Harrogate is 13 miles (21 km) north of Leeds and 18 miles (30 km) west of York. Although the Yorkshire Dales are just to the west and the North York Moors to the north east, the town is not in a national park. It is, however, separated from any major settlement by at least 10 miles of countryside in any direction. The A1(M) passes reasonably close by over to the west; Leeds and York are connected a via rail route that stops at the town.

Despite its largely affluent populace, the town does have some industry, and boasts the Harrogate International Centre, the UK’s third-largest conference and exhibition centre. Thanks to Bucks Fizz’s 1981 triumph, the Centre hosted the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest. It was won by the German singer Nicole, with her song A Little Peace, something non-Eurovision fans have wished for ever since.

With an economically active populace of about 70,000 and a constant stream of professional visitors and day-trippers, Harrogate has a healthy need for logistics and supply chain professionals, meaning that Head of Business Improvement positions here and in the region are not uncommon.

Popular locations

Find Head of Business Improvement Jobs with Cast UK

Transformation and change are the key to continual improvement in business, but it must be approached in a skilful and sensitive manner, hence the need for good, experienced heads of business improvement. Up and down the UK, companies are looking to bring that expertise into their teams and many of them are turning to Cast UK to apply our own expertise to finding the ideal candidates.

If you are looking to take an important step in your career and become head of business improvement for a company that’s going through some exciting changes, leave your details with us by calling today on 0333 121 3345.

Contact us