Continuous Improvement, Health & Safety & Purchasing Lead

£45,000–£55,000 DOE |

Workshop‑based – Lowestoft, Suffolk | Permanent, Full‑Time

A long‑established specialist manufacturer of high‑value, bespoke vehicles is entering a period of operational transformation and we’re hiring a hands‑on Continuous Improvement, Health & Safety & Purchasing Lead to drive that change from the shop floor up.This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of CI, H&S and purchasing in a business that is ready for improvement, open to challenge and committed to building sustainable operational discipline.

The Opportunity

This is not a consultancy or desk‑based role. You will be on the shop floor daily — observing, mapping, improving and coaching. You’ll report directly to the CEO and operate with autonomy, shaping how the business works and leaving behind capability that lasts.

What You will Do

• Map current‑state value streams and quantify waste across all build types
• Lead 5S implementation and run structured Kaizen events
• Improve production flow, takt time, sequencing, layout and scheduling
• Establish standard work and visual management across the workshop
• Coach teams in CI tools through live improvement activity
• Act as the competent person for Health & Safety, owning risk assessments, work‑at‑height compliance, COSHH and incident investigations
• Conduct H&S audits, maintain statutory documentation and lead toolbox talks
• Overhaul purchasing practices: supplier performance, stock control, lead times and alignment with build schedules
• Track KPIs across CI, H&S and purchasing, reporting directly to senior leadership

What You will Bring

• Proven hands‑on CI experience in manufacturing, ideally low‑volume or bespoke production
• Strong working knowledge of lean tools: VSM, 5S, Kaizen, standard work, visual management and root cause analysis
• Practical H&S experience including risk assessments, PUWER, COSHH and Work at Height
• Purchasing experience: supplier negotiation, inventory control and aligning procurement with production flow
• A shop‑floor mindset — credible with skilled craftspeople and comfortable in overalls
• Structured, data‑driven thinking with the ability to baseline and measure improvement
• Strong coaching ability and a commitment to building capability, not dependency

Desirable: Six Sigma/Lean qualification, experience in Danaher/TPS‑style environments, CIPS or equivalent procurement experience.

Benefits

• £45,000 – £55,000 salary depending on experience
• Direct influence over CI, H&S and purchasing strategy
• High autonomy with direct access to senior leadership
• Opportunity to lead a two‑year transformation programme with measurable impact
• Stable, long‑established manufacturer with strong demand for its products
• Clear progression as operational maturity increases

What Success Looks Like

Within two years, you’ll have delivered:

• Faster, more consistent build processes with reduced rework
• Full H&S compliance, including robust work‑at‑height and COSHH controls
• A purchasing function that supports production rather than constraining it
• A self‑sustaining 5S standard maintained by the teams
• A trained group of CI practitioners able to run improvements independently
• A culture where problems are surfaced and solved, not worked around