The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Senior Lean Six Sigma Consultant (Internal)
3-5 years as a Senior ConsultantSkills to master
- Leading complex, cross-functional projects end-to-end, formal mentorship of Green Belts, and consistently delivering significant financial impact. You'll need to demonstrate strong stakeholder management and a knack for problem-solving the really tough issues.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led 5+ Black Belt level projects with validated benefits.
- Consistently received positive feedback from senior stakeholders on project outcomes and influence.
- Mentored at least 2 Green Belts through successful certification.
- Demonstrated ability to handle project ambiguity and navigate organisational politics effectively.
- 2
External Management Consultant (with OpEx specialisation)
5-8 years in external consultingSkills to master
- Managing client engagements, developing proposals, and delivering operational excellence solutions across diverse industries. You'll need to translate external best practices into our internal context and adapt quickly to our culture.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience leading large-scale operational transformation programmes for external clients.
- Proven ability to manage client relationships and deliver against strict deadlines and budgets.
- Deep expertise in Lean Six Sigma and other operational excellence methodologies applied in various settings.
- Strong business acumen and ability to quickly understand new business models.
- 3
Head of Operations / Process Improvement (Business Unit)
8-10 years in a business unit operational roleSkills to master
- Deep domain expertise in a specific operational area (e.g., Supply Chain, Customer Service), coupled with a strong track record of driving process improvements from within that function. You'll need to demonstrate how you've applied LSS principles in a line role.
You're ready to move on when
- Held a leadership role within a significant operational function.
- Successfully led and implemented major process improvements within that business unit.
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, teams, and operational KPIs.
- Strong understanding of the day-to-day challenges and opportunities within a specific business area.