Continuous Improvement Lead
Sulzer · Birmingham
Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.
About the role
At Sulzer, we keep some of the world's most critical infrastructure running. From power generation and water treatment to oil & gas, chemical processing and manufacturing, our Service Centres and Field Service teams repair, maintain, upgrade and overhaul pumps, motors, turbomachinery and rotating equipment that our customers depend on every day.With significant investment across our UK service network and a continued focus on operational excellence, we are looking for a Continuous Improvement Lead to drive transformational change across our Service Centres, Field Service operations and support functions throughout the UK North region.
This is more than a process improvement role. It's an opportunity to influence how we work, challenge traditional ways of thinking, and embed a culture of continuous improvement across a diverse engineering and service operation. You'll play a key role in enhancing customer experience, improving productivity, reducing turnaround times, eliminating waste and delivering measurable business results through the application of Lean methodologies and structured problem-solving techniques. Working closely with Service Centre Managers, Operations Managers, Workshop Supervisors, Supply Chain, Quality and front-line employees, you'll lead improvement initiatives that make our operations safer, faster, simpler and more efficient while helping position Sulzer as the service provider of choice in our markets.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead and deploy Continuous Improvement and Lean initiatives across the UK & Nordic regions.
- Drive operational excellence by identifying and eliminating waste, inefficiencies and non-value-added activities.
- Support Service Centres and Field Service teams in improving productivity, quality, cost performance and customer satisfaction.
- Reduce turnaround times and improve process flow through data-driven decision making.
- Develop and implement standard work, visual management tools and operational performance metrics.
- Coach, mentor and develop managers and employees in Lean thinking and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Build a sustainable Continuous Improvement culture that empowers teams to own and drive change.
- Track improvement projects, report on progress and demonstrate measurable business impact.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience leading Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence or Lean transformation programmes.
- Strong understanding of Lean methodologies and continuous improvement tools.
- Experience delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, cost, lead time and customer service.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- A hands-on approach with the ability to engage operational teams and senior leaders alike.
- Experience gained within engineering, manufacturing, industrial services, maintenance, repair or aftermarket environments is highly desirable.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent qualification (Desirable)
What we offer you
- A remote role with travel across regions.
- A competitive basic salary
- Annual personal bonus scheme based on company and personal performance
- Car or Allowance
- Private Medical Insurance (Self & Partner)
- 33 days annual leave.
- Defined pension contributions.
- Access to Medicash helping you cover everyday health costs like dental optical and physiotherapy plus a range of wellbeing perks.
- Confidential support via Employee Assistance Programmes.
- Access to discounts on shopping entertainment lifestyle plus opportunity to apply for Costco membership.
- Discounted personal car leasing for you your family and friends.
- Long Service Awards celebrating your commitment.
- Continuous learning opportunities through Sulzer Learning Pathways.
- As a Silver Award holder of the MoD Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, we welcome and support veterans, reservists and Cadet Adult Volunteers with policies for training, camps and deployment, plus a growing internal military network.
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Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment.
We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.