Continual Improvement (CI) Lead

Role Overview

An FMCG manufacturing company in Sapele, Delta State is looking for a seasoned Continuous Improvement Lead to drive operational excellence across the business. This position is focused on improving productivity, cutting waste, strengthening processes, and building a company-wide mindset of continuous improvement across production, maintenance, logistics, and support teams.

What You Will Do

You will lead the design and rollout of continuous improvement strategies, support change initiatives, and work closely with managers and teams to embed Lean and Six Sigma practices. The role calls for someone who can turn data into action, guide improvement projects from start to finish, and help sustain measurable business gains.

Strategy and Leadership

• Create and execute a CI roadmap that supports overall business goals.
• Build a culture of operational excellence across all departments.
• Act as the main point of contact for CI transformation work.
• Coach managers, supervisors, and teams on CI methods and best practices.
• Support change management efforts that improve performance and employee involvement.

Process Improvement and Optimization

• Spot and remove waste, bottlenecks, and process losses in manufacturing operations.
• Carry out Gemba walks to uncover improvement opportunities and follow through with corrective actions.
• Facilitate process mapping, value stream mapping, and redesign efforts across intake, milling, packing, and dispatch.
• Use structured problem-solving tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone, and Pareto analysis to identify root causes.
• Help ensure new process improvements are standardized and sustained.

Data, Reporting, and Performance

• Monitor and analyze operational KPIs such as downtime, equipment effectiveness, yield loss, output efficiency, waste reduction, and productivity.
• Build and maintain CI dashboards and performance reports.
• Share data-backed recommendations to support management decisions.
• Assess the impact and sustainability of improvement projects and confirm benefits realization.

Tools, Training, and Project Delivery

• Deploy and sustain CI tools including Lean manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, standard work, and SOP improvement.
• Run and oversee regular 5S audits and track measurable outcomes.
• Deliver CI training for employees at different levels.
• Develop CI champions within departments and encourage idea generation through suggestion systems, Kaizen boards, and improvement programs.
• Lead CI projects end to end, ensuring timely delivery and clear business results.
• Track project benefits, ROI, meetings, workshops, and Obeya sessions, and report progress to senior leadership.

Requirements

The ideal candidate should hold a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Natural Sciences, Milling Technology, or a related field. A minimum of 3 years’ experience in manufacturing, operations, continuous improvement, or CI consulting within FMCG or an industrial setting is required. Experience leading Lean or CI transformation initiatives and delivering measurable improvements is essential. A Six Sigma Green Belt certification is mandatory, while a Six Sigma Black Belt is an added advantage.

Skills and Knowledge

Strong capability in Lean manufacturing, Kaizen, process optimization, root cause analysis, Excel-based reporting, dashboards, project coordination, stakeholder engagement, presentation, and reporting is needed. The role also requires advanced problem-solving ability, strong influencing skills, and the capacity to manage multiple initiatives at once.

Behavioural Expectations

The company is looking for a leader who takes ownership, works proactively, stays accountable, communicates well, coaches others effectively, thinks strategically, pays close attention to detail, and can influence culture while building strong teamwork.

Benefits

• Monthly net pay of NGN 600,000 to NGN 800,000.
• Relocation support in the form of a grant to assist with moving to Sapele.
• Health and security cover including HMO, group life insurance, group accident insurance, and critical illness cover.
• Pension contributions.
• 13th-month allowance plus performance-based incentives.

Additional Information

This is a full-time role based in Sapele, Delta State, within the FMCG/manufacturing industry.