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Lean manager

Also called lean coach, lean expert, lean director

Lean managers plan and manage lean programs in different business units of an organisation. They drive and coordinate continuous improvements projects aimed at achieving manufacturing efficiency, optimise workforce productivity, generate business innovation and realise transformational changes impacting on operations and business processes, and report on results and progresses to the company management. They contribute to the creation of a continuous improvement culture within the company, and they are responsible for developing and training a team of lean experts.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects57 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Business and administration professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €2,000 (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Business and administration professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree8 in 10 have a degree.Business and administration professionalsWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Management and organization analysts · ILO

What you'd do

Management and organization analysts · ILO
  • Assisting and encouraging the development of objectives, strategies and plans aimed at achieving customer satisfaction and the efficient use of organizations‚Äô resources
  • Analysing and evaluating current systems and structures
  • Discussing current systems with staff and observing systems at all levels of organization
  • Directing clients towards more efficient organization and developing solutions to organizational problems
  • Undertaking and reviewing work studies by analysing existing and proposed methods and procedures such as administrative and clerical procedures
  • Recording and analysing organizations‚Äô workflow charts, records, reports, manuals and job descriptions
  • Preparing and recommending proposals to revise methods and procedures, alter work flows, redefine job functions and resolve organizational problems
  • Assisting in implementing approved recommendations, issuing revised instructions and procedure manuals, and drafting other documentation
  • Reviewing operating procedures and advising of departures from procedures and standards
Advise on efficiency improvementsApply change managementDefine organisational standardsIdentify process improvementsCreate a work atmosphere of continuous improvement+ 13 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the related, broader US job "Project Management Specialists"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as business and administration professionals in the EU
6.65m9.73m13.35m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
2,909,000 new jobs 3,080,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Business and administration professionals57
All jobs29
Right now
5 of 27 countries report a shortage of management and organization analysts, 5 a surplus.
Management and organization analysts · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in management and administration is the usual route.

Highest qualification of business and administration professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 81%Vocational 11%General secondary 6%Basic schooling 2%
Field that teaches it
Management and administration
Vocational route, EU
3 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.46 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 9 tasks
Assisting in implementing approved recommendations, issuing revised instructions and procedure manuals, and drafting other documentation0.61
Recording and analysing organizations’ workflow charts, records, reports, manuals and job descriptions0.58
Undertaking and reviewing work studies by analysing existing and proposed methods and procedures such as administrative and clerical procedures0.54
Preparing and recommending proposals to revise methods and procedures, alter work flows, redefine job functions and resolve organizational problems0.47
Directing clients towards more efficient organization and developing solutions to organizational problems0.45
Reviewing operating procedures and advising of departures from procedures and standards0.41
Analysing and evaluating current systems and structures0.41
Assisting and encouraging the development of objectives, strategies and plans aimed at achieving customer satisfaction and the efficient use of organizations’ resources0.39
Discussing current systems with staff and observing systems at all levels of organization0.28

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for management and organization analysts. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).