Head of Business Improvement - Stockport

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 Stockport

Only six miles south of Manchester, Stockport is situated on the confluence of the rivers Goyt, Tame and Mersey. It's a town that has long been associated with manufacturing and is a good location for those seeking Head of Business Improvement opportunities.

Contrary to what you would expect by looking at the town's name, Stockport was never much of a port town since the Mersey is a fairly narrow and shallow waterway in this region. Rather, the name simply combines the Old English words for 'marketplace' and 'hamlet'.

Indeed, Stockport has been a hub of commerce for hundreds of years, mainly as a source for textiles and hats, producing as many as six million pieces of headwear a year at the industry's peak.

Silk weaving and cotton spinning expanded during the 18th century with mills that were first powered by water, then steam. Other related industries included block making, trimming manufacture and leather ware.

Hat making in Stockport finally came to an end in the 1990s and the textile industry has also declined significantly. However, the town has moved with the times and its economy is now mainly based in the service sector.

The financial industry employs a large portion of Stockport's population, with companies like the Co-Op Bank and Swinton Insurance having facilities in the area.

In addition, manufacturing plays a part in the local economy. For example, BAE Systems, United Biscuits, PZ Cussons and NXP Semiconductors have factories in Stockport. What's more, Robinsons is a regional brewery that produces around 35,000 barrels of beer a year.

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