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
Quality Improvement Analyst (L2)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering statistical analysis, independently leading small workstreams, effectively facilitating RCA sessions, and building initial dashboards.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering accurate and insightful analyses without heavy supervision.
- Successfully managing several small improvement initiatives simultaneously.
- Receiving positive feedback on your ability to influence and collaborate with operational teams.
- Proactively identifying improvement opportunities, not just reacting to requests.
- 2
Process Engineer
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Deep technical understanding of specific operational processes, process design, equipment optimisation, and project management for technical implementations.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully designed and implemented new processes or equipment upgrades.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues in an operational setting.
- Strong analytical skills applied to process performance and efficiency.
- Experience working closely with production teams to improve output and quality.
- 3
Production Supervisor / Team Leader
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Hands-on experience managing operational teams, understanding daily production challenges, driving frontline engagement in improvement, and managing daily KPIs.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a team to meet production targets and quality standards.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve daily operational issues.
- Strong leadership skills and ability to motivate frontline staff.
- A clear passion for improving processes and reducing waste observed in daily operations.