Robert Lowson
Plant Manager @La-Z-Boy Uk
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WORK HISTORY
Plant Manager @La-Z-Boy Uk
Colne, GB
Appointed to lead the turnaround of La-Z-Boy’s UK manufacturing plant following its acquisition. Accountable for full site leadership, operational restructuring, and building a resilient team capable of sustaining performance in a highly challenging commercial environment.Key Achievements:Turnaround & Restructure: Led a full operational restructure, reducing costs while protecting quality and throughput.Leadership Development: Built and coached a self-sufficient leadership team, ensuring the plant can operate effectively during senior absences.Operational Excellence: Spearheaded cross-functional improvement projects across logistics, production planning, and layout design — improving flow and reducing waste.Continuous Improvement: Embedded CI as a daily management discipline across all departments, strengthening frontline ownership, engagement, and accountability.Commercial Alignment: Partnered with commercial and supply chain teams to align operations with wider business strategy, customer demand, and margin pressures.Financial Discipline: Driving tighter cost control, cash discipline, and working capital efficiency to position the plant for stronger financial performance.
EDUCATION
UCLan Lancashire Business School - LaunchPad Programme
Leadership Development Programme
University of Lancashire
Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration and Management, General
University of Central Lancashire
BA(Hons) First Class, Business & Management
Wigan and Leigh College
BTEC National Certificate, Business Management
SKILLS
ABOUT ROBERT LOWSON
I’m a results-driven operations leader with a strong track record of delivering transformation, building high-performing teams, and driving sustained improvement in complex manufacturing environments.After earning a First-Class Degree in Business & Management from UCLan, including a 12-month placement at Walt Disney World in Orlando, I began my career at The Senator Group. Over nine years, I progressed from Business Graduate to Operations Manager, gaining hands-on experience across the full manufacturing lifecycle, leading teams, improving efficiency, and managing large-scale change programmes.In 2023, I joined La-Z-Boy UK as Plant Manager, tasked with leading the turnaround of a recently acquired site. My focus has been on stabilising performance, developing self-sufficient teams, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, and delivering strategic change at pace. This has included resetting cost structures, improving cash discipline, optimising throughput, and reshaping operations to achieve sustainable growth.I bring energy, clarity, and a people-first approach to leadership, with a belief that engaged teams deliver the strongest results. My career to date has centred on creating measurable impact through operational improvement, financial discipline, and cultural change - the same levers that drive long-term business success.Key Strengths: Leadership, Team Development, Operational Strategy, Turnarounds, Manufacturing Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Problem Solving
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