The pathway
Ways Into This Job
These are possible routes into the job in the UK. Your route depends on the skills and experience you already have.
- 1
Internal Promotion (from Mid-Level Consultant)
2-3 years as an Operational Excellence Consultant (Level 2)Skills to master
- Consistently delivering small-to-medium projects independently, demonstrating early signs of influencing skills, and a solid grasp of core Lean Six Sigma tools. You'd be starting to take on more complex problem statements.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led 3+ projects with measurable impact.
- Received positive feedback on stakeholder engagement from project sponsors.
- Demonstrated ability to identify root causes without constant supervision.
- Proactively sought out opportunities to mentor new joiners.
- 2
External Hire (from Consulting Firm)
5-8 years in a process improvement or management consulting role at another firm.Skills to master
- Strong client-facing experience, a proven track record of leading change initiatives across various industries, and excellent project management skills. You'd be used to fast-paced environments and delivering under pressure.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience managing multiple consulting engagements simultaneously.
- Ability to quickly grasp new business contexts and industry specifics.
- Strong presentation and client relationship management skills.
- Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid problem-solving.
- 3
Transition from Business Operations/Analytics
6-10 years in a senior operational role (e.g., Operations Manager, Senior Business Analyst) with a strong focus on process improvement.Skills to master
- Deep domain knowledge of a specific business area, a passion for optimising processes, and a solid understanding of data analysis. You'd have been 'doing' OpEx without necessarily having the title.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led internal improvement initiatives within your previous role.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with data-driven decision making.
- Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams.
- Formal Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent training completed.