Continuous improvement Lead - Retail Ready Operations (Coles Group)

We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and have grown to become a top 30-listed company on the ASX with a portfolio of iconic homegrown brands. At the heart of our continued success is over 115,000 team members working across the country, all contributing to bringing our customers smiles. You’ll not only get to see your work make a difference, you’ll be part of a team working together to help Australians eat and live better every day.

About the team

Our manufacturing team are an essential part of turning raw materials into products ready for customers. We have a strong focus on team member safety, quality and continuous improvement whilst ensuring that customers' security of supply, quality, availability of product and value for money expectations are met. You'll work alongside a diverse group of individuals with different backgrounds, cultures, personalities, and beliefs, much like the communities we serve.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Continuous Improvement (CI) professional who can work independently, think critically, and confidently challenge existing processes to deliver meaningful, sustainable change. This role is about more than incremental improvements — it’s about questioning how things are done today and partnering with the business to design better ways of working.

You’ll operate with a high degree of autonomy, identifying opportunities for improvement, influencing stakeholders, and driving initiatives from insight through to implementation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying, leading and delivering continuous improvement initiatives across functions, with minimal supervision
• Analysing current processes, challenging assumptions, and designing improved, fit‑for‑purpose ways of working
• Influencing and coaching stakeholders to embed a CI mindset and sustain improvements over time
   

About You and Your Skills

You’re a self‑directed CI professional who is comfortable working independently and stepping into ambiguous environments. You’re not afraid to ask difficult questions, challenge standard practice and push for better outcomes — while maintaining strong relationships and credibility with stakeholders.

You bring a pragmatic approach to continuous improvement, combining structured methodologies with commercial awareness and a focus on real‑world impact.

You will bring:

• Proven experience in continuous improvement, process optimisation or operational excellence roles
• Strong ability to work autonomously, prioritise effectively, and drive outcomes end‑to‑end
• Confidence to challenge existing functions and processes, using data, insight and influence to drive change
• An understanding of labour standards, data analysis and performance reporting 

What’s in it for you?

• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email [email protected]

Job ID: 181217

Employment Type: Full time
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