Continuous Improvement Manager

Role overview

This permanent position is based in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, and operates on a 37.5-hour schedule with a four-day working week from Monday to Thursday. The package includes a salary of £70,000 to £86,000 plus benefits. The role suits an experienced change leader with Six Sigma Black Belt certification who can drive data-led transformation work across the organisation.

The successful candidate will take ownership of major business improvement and change initiatives, helping strengthen operational performance, encourage sustainable adoption of new ways of working, and support the company’s ongoing digital evolution and continuous improvement culture.

Change and transformation delivery

You will lead the full lifecycle of complex transformation programmes aligned to business strategy. This includes shaping the roadmap for change, building structured delivery plans, and applying Six Sigma methods to remove waste and improve performance. You will also identify risks, issues, and dependencies, while ensuring new processes, systems, and working practices are properly embedded across affected teams. A key part of the job is promoting a strong change culture through data, storytelling, and visible leadership.

Process improvement

The role involves reviewing current processes, defining improved future-state operating models, and delivering lasting gains in efficiency, cost, quality, and customer outcomes. You will use root-cause analysis and continuous improvement tools to diagnose problems, and you will run workshops and working sessions with stakeholders to drive practical improvements.

IT and AI transformation support

Although not essential, you may also support major technology change programmes, including large-scale IT delivery and AI-related transformation. This includes helping prepare the business for system rollouts, aligning process redesign with technology deployment, and coordinating closely with business teams, project managers, and technical specialists.

Stakeholder engagement

You will help grow continuous improvement and change capability across the organisation by building strong relationships with leaders and business teams. The role requires you to explain change impacts clearly, run workshops and governance meetings, and influence senior stakeholders so that transformation goals stay on track.

Governance and reporting

You will monitor benefits, KPIs, and programme progress, then provide structured updates to senior leadership. You will also help ensure change management standards and governance practices are consistently followed, and support the planning and tracking of benefits realisation.

Requirements

Applicants should bring significant experience in business transformation and end-to-end change delivery, together with strong analytical, facilitation, communication, and stakeholder management skills. The role also calls for a solid understanding of formal change frameworks and a proven record of achieving measurable operational improvement.

About the organisation

Lockheed Martin UK in Ampthill is a fast-moving and evolving business serving domestic and international customers. Its work spans Platform Integration, Ground Based Air Defence, Special Projects, and Weapons, supporting the Ministry of Defence and other clients. The company offers a challenging career path, a strong work/life balance, a four-day week, and flexible working arrangements.

Equal opportunity and adjustments

The organisation is committed to equal opportunity, an inclusive recruitment process, and fair consideration of candidates based on merit. Reasonable adjustments can be provided during the application or interview process if needed.