Lean Specialist

Job description

At Eakin Healthcare, care is at the heart of everything we do. We are a family-owned global medical device company driven by a simple vision: Where Care Leads, Hope Follows. For more than 50 years, we've been developing innovative healthcare solutions that make a meaningful difference to the lives of patients around the world. Today, our team of over 700 colleagues operates across three UK manufacturing sites, 12 international sales and distribution centres, and exports to more than 60 countries worldwide. From market-leading Ostomy and Respiratory therapies to our trusted Respond home delivery service, we're committed to improving lives through innovation, quality and exceptional care. We don't just care for the people who use our products and services, we care for our colleagues too. That's why we're proud to be recognised as a Great Place to Work® , creating an environment where people can thrive, grow and make a real impact. If you're looking for a career with purpose, where your work matters and your contribution is valued, we'd love to hear from you. WHY JOIN US? We’re good at what we do – come and join us and you can benefit from: Bonus 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (rising to 28) Option to buy holiday days Wellbeing Programme Health Cash Plan Pension Life Assurance Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Cycle to Work Scheme Referral Scheme Long Service Awards Free Parking ABOUT THE ROLE JOB OVERVIEW Job Title: Lean Specialist Reporting to: Director of Operations - Ostomy Hours per week: 37.5 Shift Work: Days Monday to Friday Travel: Occasional between sites Direct Reports: None JOB PURPOSE Based within our Cardiff facility or Cardiff DC, reporting to the Director of Operations this is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated team, and work across various functions. This will be a hands on role and will suit an individual who can quickly build professional working relationships, work within a team and enjoy working to a high degree of autonomy. As a Lean Specialist you will evaluate existing processes, workflows, and systems in collaboration with our diverse team to identify areas for improvement. Conduct thorough data driven and fact based analyses to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and optimisation opportunities that are critical to meet the business objectives. This role will lead and support Ostomy Operations, (Production, Bulk Warehouse and Respond), through the change process and support employees with their lean manufacturing education through the necessary training and Kaizen events. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Identifying opportunities for process improvement, waste removal, and cost reduction. Conduct value stream mapping and other Lean assessments to diagnose opportunities. Planning, facilitating, and executing continuous improvement events using Lean tools. Teaching, leading, and coaching cross-functional teams on Lean tools and methodology. Working to continuously improve processes both on the Production and Warehouse floors as well as transactional where required. Clearly defining program objectives and scope. Evaluating and prioritising potential improvements based on gains and required effort. Securing employee commitment for proactive change management. Establishing a clear and well-articulated implementation plan. Lead root cause analysis efforts using tools such as 5 Whys and Fishbone diagrams. Identifying intervention priorities and indicators. Development and implementation of 5S, Visual Management along with other Lean methodologies Develop and deliver Lean training to employees at all levels. Identifying available resources (for example, people, material, and finances). Mapping out in detail the desired situation. Clearly defining methodology. Accurately analysing options including impact and feasibility. Specifying obstacles and ways to overcome them through continuous improvement. Regularly monitoring the implementation of solutions to achieve objectives and expected benefits. Other To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the company’s’ Health and Safety policy. To adhere to the company’s Quality policy and Environmental policy. To undertake other duties as may be reasonably required. AS A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE YOU’LL HAVE: Passion for Continuous Improvement and Lean. Ability to communicate with all levels within the organisation. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to weigh and manage priorities. Skilled at synthesis and analysis. Detail oriented. Flexibility and diplomacy when dealing with colleagues and co-workers. Ability to make decisions as well as influence decision-making. Strong work habits focusing on safety, quality, and productivity. Organizational skills. Ability to multitask. Project management. Essential Previous experience in a similar role. Lean 6 Sigma Green Belt certification. Able to demonstrate through examples the use of some of the following tools: lean six sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Standard work, Kanban and value stream mapping. Tenacity/Passion/Determination – driven to chase the end goal and to drive the site performance forwards. Practiced in the Management of Change. Desirable Black Belt Certification preferred as well as Science, Engineering or Manufacturing qualification. Knowledge of ISO 13485 quality systems or an equivalent highly regulated environment. Experience of manual assembly production processes. COMPETENCIES Financial Acumen Interpreting and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions. Manages Complexity Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Cultivates Innovation Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Optimizes Work Processes Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Drives Results Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances. Persuades Using compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others. Instils Trust Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity and authenticity. Being Resilient Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations. The closing date for applications is: 04 September 2026 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We value different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all. Early Closure Statement We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage early submission. Right to Work in the UK Please note that Eakin Healthcare is unable to provide sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.