CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

Black Belt certification is rare on a shop floor. When it does show up, it usually signals that a facility is serious about eliminating waste rather than just talking about it. The Continuous Improvement Manager is the practitioner who translates that seriousness into measurable reductions in cycle time, scrap rate, and changeover duration across production and supply chain functions. Sitting within plant or operations leadership, this role owns the CI program end to end, from Loss Analysis and FMEA-driven prioritization through to structured Kaizen execution and sustainment. ISO 9001 compliance and TPM pillar deployment are typical accountability anchors that distinguish this seat from adjacent quality or operations roles.

As the Continuous Improvement Manager, you are accountable for designing, executing, and sustaining the facility's Lean Six Sigma program, with direct ownership of financial savings targets and KPI governance across production functions. You lead a team of CI Engineers or site improvement staff, partnering with plant leadership, supply chain, and quality functions, with a reporting line typically into a CI Director, VP of Operations, or Plant Manager.

Career Impact: Deep, hands-on ownership of Black Belt-level projects in a manufacturing environment builds the kind of verified savings record and cross-functional leadership credibility that advances careers into CI Director or VP Operations roles.

Business Impact: The improvements this role delivers - measured in yield uplift, waste reduction, and changeover time - translate directly into plant profitability and the facility's standing within a broader manufacturing network.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to multi-site program deployment, TPM pillar leadership, and formal Loss Analysis frameworks develops a transferable skillset valued across food, packaging, healthcare, and industrial manufacturing sectors.

• Lead Lean Six Sigma projects from charter through closure, validating financial savings against Controller-reviewed baselines.
• Define and govern facility KPIs through semi-annual Business Assessments, maintaining visual performance dashboards for plant and senior leadership.
• Coach facility leadership, supervisors, and frontline teams on CI methodologies including 5S, SMED, PDCA, and structured problem-solving tools.
• Drive TPM pillar activities, including Autonomous Maintenance and Focused Improvement, to reduce minor stops, changeover time, and unplanned downtime.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and cross-functional workshops, coordinating root cause analysis and corrective action implementation across production and supply chain.
• Review and maintain the quality management system, ensuring adherence to ISO 9001 registration requirements through internal audits and periodic surveillance cycles.
• Manage direct reports within the CI function, including goal setting, performance review, project assignment, and professional development.
• Partner with operations, engineering, and finance leadership to identify, prioritize, and build business cases for high-impact improvement opportunities.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent work experience.
• 5 or more years of CI leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, with demonstrated delivery of measurable Lean Six Sigma financial results.
• Green Belt certification required; Black Belt certification strongly preferred or expected within an agreed timeline.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Lean methodologies including 5S, VSM, Kaizen, SMED, and TPM pillar implementation.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems, including ISO 9001 requirements, CAPA processes, and nonconformance management.
• Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority, including production, supply chain, engineering, and finance stakeholders.
• Strong analytical capability with experience applying statistical process control and data-driven root cause analysis methods.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present performance results and project status to senior plant and corporate leadership.

• Certified Six Sigma Black Belt from a recognized body such as ASQ, with demonstrated application in a multi-site or multi-line manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with industry-specific production systems such as TPM, TRACC, or a proprietary Manufacturing Operating System deployed across a plant network.
• Experience with FMEA, APQP, or PPAP core quality tools, particularly in automotive, aerospace, food, or packaging manufacturing contexts.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent formal project governance experience managing portfolios of concurrent CI initiatives.

• Validated Lean Six Sigma savings (USD) per project cycle, measured against Controller-reviewed baselines.
• Kaizen closure rate (% of chartered events reaching verified sustainment within 90 days).
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) trend on targeted lines, reflecting TPM pillar and Focused Improvement contributions.
• Internal audit compliance score against ISO 9001 registration requirements across the facility.
• KPI dashboard coverage ratio (% of priority production lines with active, current visual performance tracking).
• Typical tools: statistical analysis and process mapping (commonly Minitab or equivalent); performance reporting (commonly Power BI or advanced Excel); QMS platforms (commonly ETQ, MasterControl, or equivalent).

• Base Salary Range: $95,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on seniority and industry segment
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus of 10% to 15%, tied to validated CI savings and KPI targets
• Equity: Uncommon at plant level; stock purchase plans or RSUs available at larger publicly traded manufacturers
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-sponsored plans standard across the sector
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard US federal holidays
• Common Perks: Tuition assistance for certification (Black Belt, PMP); 401(k) with employer match; relocation support for plant-based roles

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required for this position. Employment offers are contingent on the successful completion of a background check, which may include criminal history and, for certain facilities, drug screening consistent with site safety requirements. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.

The Continuous Improvement Manager leads all CI projects to deliver significant business improvements, applying DMAiC methodology to achieve measurable operational gains. Building capability across the site, this role develops CI Engineers, coaches the wider team in supporting tools, and shapes a culture of structured problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all continuous improvement projects to deliver significant business improvements.
• Utilise the DMAiC methodology and other lean processes to achieve business improvements.
• Create, support, and develop the CI programme.
• Motivate, develop, and coach the team, including direct reports in the CI Engineer function.
• Train and coach the wider team in CI supporting tools.
• Support the launch of problem-solving and improvement policies across the site.

Required Qualifications

• Six Sigma Black Belt (preferred) or Green Belt certification.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Six Sigma methodologies, mainly DMAiC.
• Analytical mindset with a strong aptitude for data.
• Understanding of Core Tools such as MSA, APQP, PPAP, SPC, and FMEA (desirable).
• Strong interpersonal skills to form effective working relationships.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to resolve conflict.
• Positive approach to work with a CI-focused mindset.

Embedded within the project quality function, the Continuous Improvement Manager leads the Closed Loop Corrective Action, Continuous Improvement, and People-Based Quality programs to drive right-first-time performance across major construction projects. Working closely with the Project Quality Manager, senior project leadership, and client stakeholders, this role builds customer-focused quality cultures and delivers measurable improvements in safety, compliance, and operational repeatability.

Core Functions

• Lead the Condition Report Review Committee and coordinate the Management Review Board for the Closed Loop Corrective Action program.
• Assign resources to high-priority improvement needs and oversee improvement analysis and solutions for the Continuous Improvement program.
• Ensure communication and application of Quality Absolutes and establish a People-Based Quality employee interaction program across project functions.
• Direct assigned quality activities on the project, communicating with functions and services to ensure management goals and objectives are met.
• Review and approve quality-related procedures to ensure compliance with the project quality program and plan.
• Recommend actions to correct observed quality deficiencies.
• Manage complex organisational interactions with project functions, services, and client to drive improvement and repeatability.
• Identify quality problems and opportunities, initiate documented action, and verify implementation of solutions.
• Ensure quality personnel assigned to the project are adequately trained.
• Review project schedules for quality-related activities to ensure timely and effective implementation of quality plan requirements.
• Facilitate selection of project metrics with client and project team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering, science, or technical discipline.
• Minimum of 13 years of industry experience including demonstrated leadership and quality assurance improvement programme management in construction or a closely related industry.
• 19 years of equivalent experience instead of a degree.
• Recognised Six Sigma Black Belt or Champion certification.
• Extensive knowledge of Quality Assurance Requirements and their application to construction, engineering, acquisition services, supplier quality, materials management, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the implementation and management of quality assurance programmes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of EPC industry application of quality assurance standards.
• Knowledge of advanced techniques for assessment, event investigation, cause analysis, human performance, and corrective action.
• Previous experience in the development and maintenance of quality assurance programmes related to the construction of industrial facilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of design, procurement, construction, start-up, commissioning, and operation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current construction industry trends, innovations, and regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated leadership in the management of change initiatives, with a proven record of senior-level management credibility.
• Successful track record of leading teams in complex environments.
• Flexibility to respond to urgent project requests and changing priorities, with the ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people of varied backgrounds and objectives.

Reporting to the Sr Director of Continuous Improvement, the Continuous Improvement Manager delivers the service and rental CI plans targeting breakthrough results in safety, quality, and productivity across multi-site operations. Partnering with site leaders and the Controller to document validated Lean Six Sigma savings, this role advances an organization-wide culture of waste elimination through hands-on mentoring, KPI goal setting, and up to 50% travel.

Primary Duties

• Drive the development and implementation of Continuous Improvement projects consistent with the strategic plan and business operating plan.
• Document and validate achieved Lean Six Sigma savings in coordination with the Controller.
• Assist in designing new procedures and methods for operational processes.
• Work with leaders to identify, modify, and sustain desired changes, including reducing waste and improving inefficiencies, using project charters with deliverables.
• Mentor others to realise benefits from all continuous improvement initiatives and act as a change agent.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement via idea generation and prioritise improvement opportunities with the management team.
• Lead projects and initiatives from idea generation to strategic execution.
• Provide strategic insight and evaluation of the organisation's progression.
• Lead goal setting, assignment of projects, review of progress, and feedback for direct reports.
• Set KPI goals with the site via semi-annual Business Assessment and lead site reporting for KPIs.
• Provide monthly updates on LSS resources, engagement, and activities.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Lean training initiatives.
• Aid in the development of the ACT LSS and ACT XPS for Service strategies.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent.
• Green Belt certification (required); Black Belt certification (preferred).
• Minimum 8 years of successful leadership in executing continuous improvement, Lean, and Six Sigma efforts with demonstrable tangible financial benefit.
• Thorough understanding of cycle time reduction, waste reduction, yield improvement, productivity, and throughput improvement in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience using Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement methods, including Lean, TPM, and Six Sigma.
• Excellent project management skills with advanced problem-solving capabilities, attention to detail, and numerical aptitude.
• Experience managing or supervising direct reports (desired).
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and MS Teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Self-starter with excellent organisational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated experience with Change Management development and execution.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and inspire a team of direct and indirect reports.

Sitting at the intersection of quality leadership and continuous improvement, the Continuous Improvement Manager develops quality roadmaps, leads cross-functional Lean and Six Sigma projects, and maintains ISO registration to drive sustained product and process performance for internal and external customers. Operating across development projects, nonconforming material systems, CAPA, supplier corrective action, and internal audit programmes, this role builds quality culture and ensures risks are addressed before scaled production.

Duties

• Develop quality roadmap in alignment with business goals and objectives.
• Initiate, facilitate, and lead cross-functional teams for structured problem-solving and improvement projects using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Ensure improvement efforts follow through with documentation and communication of best practices and lessons learned.
• Identify and drive actions to reduce waste and improve product flow and quality.
• Lead, develop, and coach the team to drive sustained improvements in quality and lean principles.
• Objectively review and qualify product or process data using statistical techniques.
• Lead quality planning for development projects or changed processes to ensure risks and opportunities are addressed before scaled production.
• Support ongoing quality systems needs surrounding nonconforming material, document change requests, CAPA, Supplier Corrective Action, training, audits, and RMA systems.
• Track and adjust quality-control checks for critical processes using charts, statistical data, and reports to ensure customer requirements are met.
• Lead maintenance of ISO registration through participation in periodic surveillance, certification audits, and the internal audit programme.
• Mentor and champion activities to continue quality culture within the organisation.
• Lead quality system training requirements of personnel and maintain training records.
• Support the Returned Goods programme from receipt of returns to closure and facilitate inspections, containment activities, investigations, and dispositions.

Requirements

• Degree from an accredited institution in a related field, or equivalent on-the-job education and experience.
• Certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (preferred).
• Working knowledge of quality management systems, ISO 9001 requirements, Lean Principles, Six Sigma, and statistics.
• Demonstrated experience in Continuous Improvement and Lean principles.
• Experience in the Engineered to Order manufacturing industry.
• Familiarity with aerospace and automotive manufacturing and systems.
• Deep understanding and application of problem-solving tools for root cause and corrective action.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing technologies, processes, and accepted good manufacturing practices.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt and work effectively in an environment of change, uncertainty, and ambiguity.

A key member of the site quality leadership team, the Continuous Improvement Manager owns an Integrated Quality Management System covering quality, environment, and health and safety while leading CI initiatives to reduce operating costs and improve margin. Collaborating across the customer-facing, production, and site management teams, this role builds a total quality culture grounded in right-first-time principles and compliance with accreditation standards.

Functions

• Contribute ideas and participate in ongoing business improvement initiatives to reduce operating costs, improve margin, and provide input into site strategy and operations.
• Establish and develop professional working relationships with customers, providing a technical service and reference point to support the company's products and reputation.
• Lead and support meetings and provide information and analysis to support the business in understanding KPIs and decision-making.
• Review the quality system to ensure full compliance with customer and company best practice guidelines, and maximise effectiveness of production contributing to consistent operational performance and conformance to relevant accreditation standards.
• Provide authoritative guidance and advice on all aspects of quality to the site management team and employees, and train and coach employees in quality improvement.
• Recruit, develop, motivate, and manage a Quality team that optimises quality operations and meets current and future business needs.
• Manage the customer complaint procedure, facilitate investigation of quality problems and non-conformances, and manage corrective and preventative actions to ensure quality standards are maintained.
• Facilitate customer-facing activities and communications, including customer visits, responses, and preparation of information, while leading site audit activities.
• Lead quality initiatives and focus groups to grow awareness of quality issues and improve quality.
• Develop an Integrated Quality Management System covering quality, environment, and health and safety.
• Continually monitor and review current working practices and make best use of resources to improve organisational results.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred) or extensive progressive quality experience in manufacturing.
• 3 to 5 years in a quality manager role or in leading Six Sigma initiatives.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Printing and packaging industry experience (a plus).
• Demonstrated leadership and facilitation of teams.
• Root cause analysis and problem-solving skills, with Lean Six Sigma knowledge (a plus).
• Skilled in information handling, analysis, and presentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and QMS systems.
• Knowledge of working with customers and production teams to find solutions and solve issues.
• Ability to inspire a team with a clear vision and purpose.
• Ability to teach operational skills and mentor and coach accordingly.
• Demonstrable experience leading change and implementing continuous improvement processes.

Sustained culture change across healthcare locations in North America depends on the Continuous Improvement Manager, who applies Lean principles and Six Sigma methodology to execute productivity, quality, growth, safety, and cash flow projects within the healthcare business. Based within a structure reporting to senior operations leadership and aligned with the overall CI strategy, this role leads cross-functional teams, facilitates LSS training, and champions tracking of financial results across concurrent multi-site programmes.

Accountabilities

• Utilise Lean principles and Six Sigma methodology to develop and execute productivity, quality, growth, safety, and cash flow projects within the healthcare business.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and site leadership teams to drive the overall CI plan to successful completion.
• Facilitate Lean Six Sigma training and provide ongoing project support regarding Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Execute multi-site projects and programmes concurrently.
• Develop and coordinate project ideas and charters with respective champions.
• Assist the leadership team in developing the business case to identify key improvement opportunities aligned with business priorities.
• Maintain open communication with key stakeholders involved in Continuous Improvement.
• Report and track the progress, milestones, savings, and other key aspects of projects being led or mentored.
• Lead cross-functional teams to evaluate current work processes and identify improvement strategies.
• Facilitate employee team meetings to build cohesiveness and improve project team results.
• Champion tracking of project status and reporting of financial results.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a Technical or Business-related discipline (Engineering preferred).
• Certified Black Belt (or must be willing to obtain training and certification).
• Experience in healthcare (a plus).
• 3 to 5 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven track record of managing multiple projects and programmes using Lean Six Sigma methodology in business or transactional processes.
• Proficiency in gathering, analysing, and interpreting data.
• Process and project management experience, including managing and measuring work.
• Superior organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to build and lead effective teams, manage conflict, and provide coaching.
• Ability to communicate effectively and coordinate information across commercial, technical, and operational teams.
• Ability to influence and work effectively across all levels of the business.

As the Continuous Improvement Manager, this role shapes strategic CI and TPM leadership across a subset of high-performance manufacturing plants and facilities, with accountability for Loss Analysis programme delivery and measurable savings against plant goals. The broader operating unit relies on this work to build loss elimination capability, align CI strategies across all departments, and develop facility leadership teams through structured Total Productive Maintenance pillar coaching.

Position Requirements

• Coach and lead team managers and staff to achieve exceptional business results through the development of people and continuous improvement of manufacturing and supply chain processes.
• Coach members of facility leadership teams and ensure that CI and TPM strategies across functions are aligned to create common objectives for all departments and achieve plant goals.
• Manage and develop direct reports as required.
• Manage the comprehensive continuous improvement function to deliver savings and improve business results via a formal Loss Analysis programme.
• Manage the cost optimisation process and productivity improvement initiatives, and serve as the general spokesperson for overall programme results.
• Coach and lead Total Productive Maintenance pillar work to build loss elimination capability, including reduction in minor stops and changeover time via Focused Improvement pillar tools such as 5-Why, 7-Step FI, and SMED.
• Coach and lead Autonomous Maintenance pillar activities to improve process reliability and productivity.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Minimum 5 to 10 years of functional and leadership experience.
• Demonstrated significant and relevant skills and results.
• Detailed understanding of how all areas of a plant interact to contribute to the business.
• General understanding of the industry and basic commercial awareness as it relates to competition.
• Strong communication and diplomacy skills to guide and influence others.
• Strong cross-functional strategic leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to translate strategy into actionable information for small or large groups in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Ability to influence upwards and interface with external parties as a representative of the plant.

Continuous Improvement Manager leads the development of a Lean Management System and drives implementation of the production system across multiple manufacturing sites, continuously assessing critical processes and closing performance gaps through targeted plans and structured methodologies. Success in the position means applying 5S, SMED, TPM, VSM, PDCA, A3 Problem Solving, and Kaizen to standardise operations, reduce cost, and advance facilities to the next level of efficiency.

Activities

• Develop plans, schedules, and budgets for projects to improve existing processes and to support the production system.
• Identify, prioritise, and execute continuous improvement activities through standardisation and consistency.
• Support the lean improvement process with techniques such as Kaizen.
• Identify cost savings through research of product requirements, manufacturing methods, and equipment modifications.
• Improve manufacturing organisation by analysing workflow, space requirements, and equipment layout with the goal of cost reduction, quality improvement, and efficiency.
• Bridge the gap between technical and operational teams, executing a range of CI solutions that move operations to the next level of efficiency.
• Identify and manage resources, internal and external, needed to execute targeted skills development.
• Apply knowledge in the areas of 5S, SMED, TPM, VSM, PDCA, and A3 Problem Solving.
• Ensure adherence to Lean Methodology, including Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, Daily Management, Layered Audit Process, and Business Plan development to eliminate waste.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related field.
• 5 or more years of plant experience in technical or management roles.
• Experience working across multiple locations simultaneously.
• Demonstrated knowledge of statistical methods and process improvement techniques.
• Strong organisational skills, including tracking, coordination across multiple programmes, and effective reporting to plant and senior management.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, team-building ability, and demonstrated leadership skills across all organisational levels.
• Safety-first mindset in all situations.

The Continuous Improvement Manager produces measurable gains in operational effectiveness by mapping key business processes, conducting root cause analysis, and leading cross-functional projects from idea generation to implementation across all business functions. Reporting to management and serving as project manager for enterprise-wide initiatives, this role builds KPI frameworks, simplifies SOPs, and drives organisational acceptance of new ways of working, with a strong preference for Distribution Centre experience.

Operational Focus

• Map and document key business processes and conduct current and future state analysis.
• Identify real pain points by studying operations and conducting root cause analysis.
• Conduct cost-benefit analysis and identify solutions providing the best ROI or relief of pain points and bottlenecks.
• Work with all relevant parties to implement identified solutions.
• Simplify and standardise existing SOPs and create new SOPs where none exist.
• Provide improvement expertise, consulting, and support to all business functions as needed.
• Serve as project manager for cross-functional projects, including those not directly related to CI.
• Help management build KPIs and timely reporting to facilitate data- and fact-based decision-making.
• Research best practices, coordinate with other business units, and make recommendations for implementation.
• Conduct training as needed to help build competencies and capacity across all aspects of the business.
• Act as a change agent, leading efforts to achieve organisational acceptance of new ways of working.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business Management, or a related discipline.
• PMP certification strongly preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in Lean and Continuous Improvement.
• Experience in a Distribution Centre environment strongly preferred.
• Proficiency and experience in all phases of the project management life cycle and associated project plan components.
• Passionate and curious approach to Continuous Improvement.
• Strong work ethic in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.
• Leadership ability to lead, influence, and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Embedded within the commercial excellence function and reporting directly to the Director of Commercial Excellence, the Continuous Improvement Manager develops and leads CI Kaizens, workshops, and improvement roadmaps to advance commercial process effectiveness across sales, marketing, and customer care teams. Working closely with commercial leaders and CI peers, this role trains on standard CI tools, monitors project plans and risks, and builds a CI mindset that transforms how the commercial organisation operates.

Key Deliverables

• Lead CI Kaizens and workshops to improve commercial effectiveness using lean and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Take ownership of CI change initiatives from concept to completion to drive commercial process improvements and transformations.
• Train on standard CI tools, methodologies, standards, practices, and processes.
• Actively monitor project plans and risks, and proactively implement corrective and sustainment actions.
• Share best practices across CI and related teams.
• Provide hands-on coaching and leadership to commercial teams, assisting in determining ideal CI tools and navigating process-driven problem-solving, including 5 Whys and Root Cause Countermeasure.
• Assist in building a CI mindset for the commercial organisation.

Background & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Green Belt and/or Project Management certifications (preferred).
• 3 or more years of experience leading and facilitating Kaizen events in commercial functions such as Sales, Marketing, and Customer Care.
• Experience as a Continuous Improvement Specialist or Project Manager, mentor, and trainer.
• Experience working in commercial teams, with Customer Care experience preferred.
• Experience with 80/20 methodology (preferred).
• Ability to influence key stakeholders in a matrix environment.
• Strong analytical skills using Excel and Business Insights Visualisation tools, with Power BI preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to adapt to changing and multiple priorities.

Reporting to senior commercial and development leadership, the Continuous Improvement Manager serves as the primary knowledge source and strategic thought partner for competitive landscapes in hematology, oncology, or neurology, constructing and implementing intelligence plans that inform clinical and commercial strategy. Partnering with cross-functional teams across global regions, this role delivers landscape assessments, threat analyses, and competitive scenario simulations that best position the organisation in competitive biopharmaceutical markets.

Areas of Ownership

• Serve as the go-to resource for competitive market strategy, competition, coopetition, and potential beneficial or adversarial partnerships.
• Partner with a cross-functional team to design and execute global competitive intelligence plans and activities to generate insights that support clinical development and commercial teams and key geographic regions.
• Identify key intelligence needs and identify appropriate resources, including databases, medical congresses, and primary and secondary research, to address information gaps.
• Develop and maintain competitive environment landscapes and other assessments, including threat assessments and benchmarking, with a focus on core diseases of interest.
• Communicate with key stakeholders to ensure teams are well informed by presenting landscape updates and distributing timely alerts on key external events.
• Facilitate cross-functional and leadership discussions, debriefs, and simulations of competitive scenarios that embed insights into development plans and commercial activities.
• Lead competitive intelligence planning for key congresses, including pre-conference materials, on-site activities, and post-congress reports.
• Align key stakeholders on competitor assumptions across functions and regions.
• Provide insights into the potential impact of market competitors for forecast models and strategic plans, including associated risks, opportunities, and alternate scenarios.
• Serve as subject matter expert on global syndicated secondary CI databases and provide training on databases to colleagues as needed.
• Model and enforce CI research within appropriate code of conduct, compliance, and ethical business practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree, with a life sciences-related advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of biopharmaceutical experience.
• At least 2 years in biopharmaceutical business strategy, market intelligence, or competitive intelligence.
• Expertise in hematology, oncology, or neurology (preferred).
• Experience working on and influencing multi-functional teams.
• Ability to influence senior members across functional teams through robust analysis and reasoned solutions.
• Fluency in understanding scientific and market data to identify patterns and opportunities.
• Experience in secondary and primary competitive intelligence methods, including the ability to compare and recommend appropriate integrated approaches.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and database sources such as Global Data, Cortellis, PubMed, and clinicaltrials.gov.
• Prior exposure to interacting with senior management (preferred).
• Experience working in cross-company alliances or direct client account management (desirable).
• Demonstrable strong written and oral communication abilities.

Sitting at the intersection of competitive research and sales enablement, the Continuous Improvement Manager oversees deep analysis of cloud, NoSQL, RDBMS, and Data Warehouse competitive landscapes to deliver accurate, timely intelligence that enables more deals to be won with more revenue for less effort. Operating across field sales, product management, and product marketing at a senior level, this role develops battlecards, whitepapers, training programmes, and direct deal support tools that give global sales teams a measurable competitive edge.

Role Responsibilities

• Conduct deep and ongoing competitive research and analysis of competitors' database strategy, with a focus on delivering accurate, timely, unbiased, and contextual analysis as a subject matter expert.
• Provide actionable competitive intelligence, sales tools, training, and consultative engagement to serve the needs of the field, including cheat sheets, whitepapers, rebuttals, slide sets, and newsletter articles.
• Track and analyse key database competitors, including on-premises and cloud, and monitor emerging competitive threats and trends.
• Develop, present, and maintain regular sales training for global and regional field organisations.
• Provide custom direct deal support and competitive intelligence engagement to sales teams.
• Function as an internal consultant to product management, product marketing, and senior executives to provide insight relative to the competitive landscape and advise on take-out campaigns, marketing content, and product requirements.
• Work closely with competitive intelligence peers to enhance solution competitive analyses relative to key competitors.
• Facilitate a single competitive intelligence community and single channel to market across all global regions.
• Educate stakeholders on key information resources available.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Technology, or Research.
• 5 or more years of recognised competitive analysis experience focused in the areas of database, including cloud, NoSQL, RDBMS, and Data Warehouse.
• Prior relevant experience in competitive intelligence and analysis, with preference for a background in database product sales, industry analysis, product management, or product marketing.
• Deep knowledge of the competitive landscape in database and data warehousing.
• Ability to analyse database and data warehousing products to a deep technical level suitable for pre-sales and sales consultants.
• Hands-on experience testing, using, or implementing database solutions (a plus).
• Ability to provide market-level or strategic-level analysis for senior executives.
• Ability to prioritise multiple simultaneous projects and deliverables to successful completion in a quality and timely manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills, excellent writing and analysis skills, and strong verbal communication.
• Analytical and strategic thinker with a self-starter attitude and collaborative team approach.
• Proven ability to work with Sales, Product Management, Product Marketing, and to present to executives.

A key member of the sales and marketing intelligence function, the Continuous Improvement Manager develops competitive battlecards, field alerts, talk tracks, and training sessions to arm sales and marketing teams with insights on how to outmanoeuvre the competition. Collaborating across sales engineering, product marketing, and third-party agencies, this role gathers and analyses competitor products, capabilities, and value propositions to enable decision-making grounded in a clear understanding of the competitive landscape.

Job Functions

• Gather information on competitors from multiple internal and external sources, including hands-on evaluation.
• Analyse competitors' products, capabilities, and value propositions to identify areas of differentiation for the development of effective strategies and tactics.
• Communicate competitive insights, product positioning, and talk tracks to sales teams.
• Develop and maintain competitive materials for sales and partner enablement, including battlecards, field alerts, case studies, talk tracks, and training sessions.
• Establish methods and processes to ensure ongoing competitive information flow to stakeholders across the organisation.
• Manage third-party agencies and projects to source relevant competitive intelligence.
• Provide an objective viewpoint based on in-depth understanding and analysis of solutions and competitive information.
• Work with product marketing to build differentiated product messaging and develop competitive support materials for product launches.
• Make recommendations on sales tactics and product strategy to enable winning in the market.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 5 or more years of experience in sales engineering, product marketing, or competitive analysis in the technology sector.
• Experience with indirect tax or accounting software and services (preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to understand customer problems and position a competitively differentiated solution.
• Demonstrated ability in sales training or development of sales support and enablement tools.
• Proven organisational, analytical, and quantitative skills.
• Close attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Technical and business acumen to interface with all levels and disciplines within the organisation.