Continuous Improvement Manager

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Change Manager, Six-Sigma Black Belt certified, to lead high-impact, data-driven business transformation initiatives across the organisation. This role will focus on driving structured change and improving operational performance. The successful candidate will possess strong stakeholder engagement skills, data-driven decision-making capabilities, a proven track record of delivering measurable business outcomes, and the ability to ensure sustainable adoption of change. This is a great opportunity to join the team and drive business-wide initiatives that shape our next-generation digital future and continue to grow our culture of continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Change & Transformation Delivery

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex business transformation initiatives aligned with strategic objectives.
• Develop and execute a roadmap for change initiatives aligned with business strategy.
• Develop and implement structured change management strategies and plans.
• Apply Six-Sigma methodologies to improve business performance and reduce waste.
• Identify risks, issues, and dependencies across transformation programmes.
• Ensure adoption of new processes, systems, and ways of working across impacted teams.
• Act as a Change Champion for a “change culture” through storytelling, data, and thought leadership across the enterprise.

Process Improvement

• Analyse current-state processes and design future-state operating models.
• Deliver measurable and sustainable improvements in efficiency, cost, quality, and customer outcomes.
• Lead root cause analysis using Six-Sigma tools and frameworks.
• Facilitate continuous improvement workshops and stakeholder sessions.

IT Programme Support (desired)

• Support delivery of large-scale IT transformation programmes.
• Support delivery of AI transformation.
• Ensure business readiness for system implementations.
• Align process changes with technology rollouts.
• Coordinate between business stakeholders, project teams, and technical delivery functions.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build organisational capability in continuous improvement and change management.
• Build strong relationships across business units and leadership teams.
• Communicate change impacts clearly and effectively.
• Facilitate workshops, steering groups, and governance forums.
• Influence senior stakeholders to support transformation objectives.

Governance & Reporting

• Track and communicate transformation benefits and KPIs.
• Provide structured programme updates to senior leadership.
• Ensure adherence to change management frameworks and provide governance standards.
• Support benefits realisation planning and monitoring.

Required skills, qualifications and experience

• Six-Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Working knowledge of structured change frameworks (e.g., Prosci, ADKAR, or similar).
• Proven experience delivering large-scale business transformation programmes.
• Strong change management and stakeholder engagement capability.
• Experience leading end-to-end process improvement and organisational change initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable operational improvements.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience supporting large-scale IT transformation programmes.
• Experience supporting AI transformation programmes.
• Experience working in complex matrix organisations.
• Exposure to agile or hybrid delivery environments.

Qualifications

• Six-Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Degree level education or equivalent experience preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking.
• Influencing and stakeholder management.
• Analytical and data-driven decision thinking.
• Leadership without authority.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Programme delivery discipline.

What we offer you

At Lockheed Martin, our employees come first. Your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing matters to us. On top of working in a highly supportive, friendly, and respectful environment, you can expect much more.

We offer flexible working arrangements, including the option of a 4-day week depending on business requirements, with potential for Fridays off. We provide competitive salaries alongside flexible holiday entitlement. A wealth of benefits are available, selectable through our wellbeing tool upon commencement. Some of our benefits include:

• Private Medical Insurance
• Competitive Pension
• Dental
• Critical Illness Cover
• Life Assurance
• Travel Insurance
• Employee discounts for top high street shops
• Employee Assistance Program (including free face-to-face counselling, legal advice, and financial advice)
• Internal training and development, alongside education assistance programmes
• Reimbursement for professional memberships
• Competitive policies supporting flexibility and family leave, inclusive of enhanced maternity leave.

Business Environment

Lockheed Martin (UK) Ampthill is a rapidly changing, dynamic part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, serving both domestic and international customers. Our business areas focus on Platform Integration, Ground Based Air Defence, Special Projects, and Weapons, providing a variety of products and services to the Ministry of Defence and other clients. We seek talented individuals for an exciting and challenging career path with excellent work-life balance, including a 4-day week (Mon-Thurs) and flexible working arrangements.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Lockheed Martin is committed to upholding principles of equal opportunity, fostering a work environment aligned with our core values of integrity, respect, and exceptional performance. We recognize the importance of leveraging the unique talents and experiences of all our employees to drive innovation, deliver superior solutions, and maximize value for our customers. Our focus is on identifying the most qualified candidate for each role, regardless of their background. We encourage you to apply, even if you feel your qualifications do not fully meet all the job criteria outlined. Lockheed Martin is dedicated to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive for all individuals and is prepared to accommodate reasonable adjustments for applicants as needed. If you require assistance or adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [email protected].