Continuous Improvement Lead

Who are we?

Our UK companies are proud to be part of the international Culligan group. We work to provide better water for our customers & consumers around the world. Culligan’s complete line of drinking water solutions, water softeners & water filtration systems set the standard in the water industry. Today, Culligan is proud to have provided world-class service and innovative water solutions for the last 80 years. At Culligan, we’re committed to delivering state-of-the-art products and water solutions that benefit our customers, while minimizing the impact on the environment.

As a key member of the Finance Operations team, you will lead the Continuous Improvement agenda across our AR and AP units, ensuring processes are efficient, scalable, and aligned with business needs. You will own and deliver transformation initiatives end‑to‑end, including scoping, planning, execution, stakeholder engagement, and benefit realisation. The role requires strong operational understanding, analytical capability, and the ability to challenge existing ways of working constructively.

This role will be instrumental in driving improvements in systems, automation, reporting, and process governance, ensuring measurable outcomes such as improved cash flow, reduced manual effort, and enhanced data quality.

Core Role and Responsibilities:

• Lead and deliver key finance transformation projects, including:
• Implementation of new Direct Debit software
• Transition of customers to quarterly billing cycles
• Introduction of IVA (Intelligent/Automated debt‑chasing solutions)
• Own projects end‑to‑end, ensuring clear scope, timelines, stakeholder alignment and measurable outcomes.
• Run structured continuous improvement (Kaizen-style) events across AR and AP.
• Review existing processes, SOPs and workflows to identify inefficiencies and implement sustainable improvements.
• Standardise and document best practices across finance operations.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work and increase automation, partnering with IT and systems teams.
• Improve data quality, reporting accuracy and financial controls.
• Build strong relationships with Finance, Operations and Customer teams to drive adoption and engagement.
• Challenge existing processes constructively, promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
• Define, track and report KPIs related to AR/AP performance (e.g., DSO, invoice processing times, error rates).
• Provide regular updates on progress, risks and benefits realisation.
• Ensure improvements are embedded, measurable and sustained over time.

Requirements

Essential

• Proven experience in continuous improvement, process optimisation or transformation roles.
• Strong background in finance operations (AR, AP, billing or credit control).
• Demonstrated experience delivering end‑to‑end projects.
• Ability to analyse processes and translate insight into practical action.
• Confident stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Hands‑on mindset, comfortable working at both strategic and operational levels.

Desirable

• Experience implementing finance systems (e.g., Direct Debit platforms, billing systems).
• Knowledge of Lean, Kaizen or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience with automation tools or workflow systems.
• Background in shared services or high‑volume transactional environments.

Benefits

• Company Pension scheme

• Company Sick Pay (after qualifying period)
• Cycle to Work scheme available
• Employee rewards and discounts
• Option to join Health Care Cash Plan
• 24/7 365-day access to Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured
• Access to on-going learning and development with our online learning platform
• Free onsite parking
• Life Assurance