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
From Lean Consultant Manager / Principal Consultant
3-5 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Mastering portfolio management, developing a strategic mindset beyond individual projects, and building a track record of developing other Lean practitioners.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a team of 10+ Lean practitioners, including other managers.
- Accountable for a CI portfolio delivering >£2M in annual value.
- Consistently demonstrated the ability to influence senior leadership and drive cross-functional change.
- 2
From Head of Operations / Plant Manager (with strong CI background)
5-8 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Deepening expertise in Lean methodologies, formalising change management skills, and broadening exposure to enterprise-wide transformation rather than just site-specific improvements.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a large operational site or function, consistently exceeding KPIs.
- Implemented significant continuous improvement initiatives that delivered measurable results.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate large teams through periods of change.
- 3
From External Management Consultant (Specialising in Operations/Lean)
10+ years in consulting, with 3-5 years at Principal/Partner levelSkills to master
- Transitioning from advisory to direct ownership and execution, building internal teams, and navigating internal organisational politics rather than client-consultant dynamics.
You're ready to move on when
- Led multiple large-scale operational transformation engagements for clients.
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships at the C-suite level.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and mentoring junior consultants.