Financial ServicesISCO 2421
Lean manager
A lean manager is a person who plans and runs lean management programmes across the business units of an organisation, and who leads the continuous improvement projects those programmes are made of. The aim is stated in terms of output: production efficiency, better use of the workforce, innovation inside the business, and transformational change to operations and business processes.
Check yourself in a minute: lean manager
Rate 5 of the 29 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
lead process optimisation
set quality assurance objectives
motivate employees
act reliably
manage corrective actions
About lean manager
Improvement projects are the day-to-day work. The lean manager directs process optimisation efforts, applies lean manufacturing and six sigma methods to the processes that are not performing, runs root cause analysis instead of treating symptoms, and manages the corrective actions that come out of it. Knowledge of production and distribution processes is what makes the analysis land on the real constraint.
Reporting runs alongside. The lean manager informs company management of results and progress.
The lasting part of the role is the culture. The lean manager works to build continuous improvement into how the organisation operates rather than leaving it in a programme, and answers for developing and training a team of lean specialists who carry the method into units the manager does not personally visit. Acting responsibly is part of the role as well.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (29)
continuous improvement philosophiescontinuous improvement philosophiesUnderlying ideas of quality management systems. Implementation process of lean manufacturing, Kanban, Kaizen, Total Quality Management (TQM) and other continuous improvement systems.consumer goods industryconsumer goods industryThe consumer goods industry refers to a concrete economic sector that produce and sell goods to consumers for they direct consumption, enjoyment or use. Industry that covers a wide range of activities...sustainable technologiessustainable technologiesTechnologies with the aim of reducing environmental and ecological risks, achieving at the same time, a positive economic, social, and environmental impact. They are innovative technologies designed t...production processesproduction processesMaterials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.six sigma methodssix sigma methodsSix Sigma is a methodology to manage processes increasing the performance and decreasing process variations. The ultimate goal of this methodology is to reduce defects and improve the quality of produ...root cause analysisroot cause analysisRoot cause analysis (RCA) is a systematic process for identifying root causes of problems or events and an approach for responding to them.project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.SMEDSMEDSMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Dies) is a system for dramatically reducing the time it takes to complete equipment changeovers.lean manufacturinglean manufacturingLean manufacturing is a methodology that focuses on minimizing waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously maximizing productivity.5S methodology5S methodology5S is defined as a methodology that results in a workplace that is clean, uncluttered, safe, and well organized to help reduce waste and optimize productivity.teamwork principlesteamwork principlesThe cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.leadership principlesleadership principlesSet of traits and values which guide the actions of a leader with her/his employees and the company and provide direction throughout her/his career. These principles are also an important tool for sel...lead process optimisationlead process optimisationLead process optimisation using statistical data. Design experiments on the production line and functional process control models.set quality assurance objectivesset quality assurance objectivesDefine quality assurance targets and procedures and see to their maintenance and continued improvement by reviewing targets, protocols, supplies, processes, equipment and technologies for quality stan...motivate employeesmotivate employeesCommunicate with employees in order to ensure that their personal ambitions are in line with the business goals, and that they work to meet them.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.manage corrective actionsmanage corrective actionsImplementing corrective action and continuous improvement plans from internal and third party audits to meet food safety and quality performance indicators with adherance to agreed timescales.apply change managementapply change managementManage development within an organisation by anticipating changes and making managerial decisions to ensure that the members involved are as less disturbed as possible.analyse business processesanalyse business processesStudy the contribution of the work processes to the business goals and monitor their efficiency and productivity.advise on efficiency improvementsadvise on efficiency improvementsAnalyse information and details of processes and products in order to advise on possible efficiency improvements that could be implemented and would signify a better use of resources.identify process improvementsidentify process improvementsIdentify possible improvements to operational and financial performance, in order to increase productivity, efficiency, quality, and streamline procedures.create a work atmosphere of continuous improvementcreate a work atmosphere of continuous improvementWork with management practices such as continuous improvement, preventive maintenance. Pay attention to problem solving and teamwork principles. Empower teams to identify opportunities and then drive ...adjust prioritiesadjust prioritiesAdjust priorities quickly in response to frequently changing circumstances. Continually assess tasks and respond to those requiring extra attention. Foresee and seek to avoid crisis management.manage a teammanage a teamEnsure clear and effective channels of communication across all departments within the organisation and support functions, both internally and externally ensuring that the team is aware of the standar...define organisational standardsdefine organisational standardsWrite, implement and foster the internal standards of the company as part of the business plans for the operations and levels of performance that the company intends to achieve.manage medium term objectivesmanage medium term objectivesMonitor medium term schedules with budget estimations and reconciliation on a quarterly basis.liaise with managersliaise with managersLiaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.analyse production processes for improvementanalyse production processes for improvementAnalyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.manage production changeoversmanage production changeoversPlan and oversee changeovers and related activities on a timely basis, in order to successfully execute the required production schedule.
Optional (25) — show
Agile project managementAgile project managementThe agile project management approach is a methodology for planning, managing and overseeing of ICT resources in order to meet specific goals and using project management ICT tools.operations managementoperations managementThe backend business functions that are implemented with the aim of achieving the high efficiency and profitability within an organisation.production engineeringproduction engineeringThe subfield of industrial engineering that corresponds to the practice of generating efficient products by transforming raw material into finite products.international businessinternational businessThe processes related to production or distribution of goods and services across borders.hoshin kanri strategic planninghoshin kanri strategic planningHoshin Kanri is a 7-step process used in strategic planning in which strategic goals are communicated throughout the company and then put into action.management consultingmanagement consultingThe process of giving paid advice with the aim of improving businesses performance and promote their growth.mass customisationmass customisationProcess of modifying wide-market goods and services to satisfy a specific customer need in order to produce wearing apparels within e-commerce, lean and supply-chain management affairs.logisticslogisticsThe management of resources such as materials, time, and information to control the flow of products between the point of origin and the point of use. This includes the production, packaging, storing ...industrial research and developmentindustrial research and developmentThe set of activities that companies carry out to do industrial innovation and introduce new engineering products and services or new industrial production processes.accountingaccountingThe documentation and processing of data regarding financial activities.supply chain managementsupply chain managementThe flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.schedule productionschedule productionSchedule the production aiming maximum profitability while still maintaining the company KPIs in cost, quality, service and innovation.perform data analysisperform data analysisCollect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.identify processes for re-engineeringidentify processes for re-engineeringIdentify potential to restructure a company or part of its operations, e.g. by exploiting information technology.analyse business plansanalyse business plansAnalyse the formal statements from businesses which outline their business goals and the strategies they set in place to meet them, in order to assess the feasibility of the plan and verify the busine...revise quality control systems documentationrevise quality control systems documentationRevise quality control documents. Read through the documents, editing it, and revise items in the documentation like the numbering scheme, process to create new documents, revision and follow up proce...use methods of logistical data analysisuse methods of logistical data analysisRead and interpret supply chain and transportation data. Analyse the reliability and availability of findings by using methods such as data mining, data modelling and cost-benefit analysis.consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.assess quality of servicesassess quality of servicesTest and compare various goods and services in order to assess their quality and to give detailed information to consumers.manage resourcesmanage resourcesManage personnel, machinery and equipment in order to optimise production results, in accordance with the policies and plans of the company.analyse internal factors of companiesanalyse internal factors of companiesResearch and understand various internal factors that influence the operation of companies such as its culture, strategic foundation, products, prices, and available resources.manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...identify necessary human resourcesidentify necessary human resourcesDetermine the number of employees needed for the realisation of a project and their allocation in the creation, production, communication or administration team.make data-driven decisionsmake data-driven decisionsCollect data such as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for an organisation and use the information to formulate actions and strategies.develop corporate training programmesdevelop corporate training programmesDesign, create and review new corporate training programmes to meet the developmental demands of a certain organisation. Analyse the efficiency of these educational modules and apply changes to it if ...
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Frequently asked questions
What does a lean manager do?
Lean managers plan and manage lean programs in different business units of an organisation. They drive and coordinate continuous improvements projects aimed at achieving manufacturing efficiency, optimise workforce productivity, generate business innovation and realise transformational changes impacting on operations and business processes, and report on results and progresses to the company management. They contribute to the creation of a continuous improvement culture within the company, and they are responsible for developing and training a team of lean experts.
What skills does a lean manager need?
A lean manager needs 29 essential skills, including continuous improvement philosophies, consumer goods industry, sustainable technologies, production processes, six sigma methods.
Will AI replace lean manager jobs?
The AI disruption score for lean manager is 69/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: accounting, use methods of logistical data analysis, supply chain management. Most resilient: act reliably, teamwork principles, motivate employees.
AI Replacement Risk
69/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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