Continuous Improvement Manager

Job Description:

In this role, you will serve as a strategic partner to operational leaders. As Continuous Improvement Manager, you will provide expert guidance, training, and coaching to support the identification, development, and successful delivery of continuous improvement initiatives. Your work will be instrumental in advancing the Manufacturing Excellence strategy, driving operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of sustainable improvement across the site.

Client Details

Our market leading manufacturing client is a family business producing high-quality own-label products for many of the UK's most recognised retailers, alongside their own well-loved brands.

They foster a strong sense of community and collaboration across all teams, working together to progress. As part of a wider group, they offer stability and exciting opportunities for career development.

Description

• Ensure that delivery of continuous improvement projects and activities maintain full compliance with health & safety and environmental, risk assessments, procedures, and good practice.
• Work collaboratively with the leaders and managers of the business to build a values-based culture, ensuring that results are achieved with people at the heart of every decision, and consistent focus is given to providing a positive experience for Colleagues.
• Build good relationships ensuring everyone in the team is treated equally and with respect. Ensure relations between shifts, departments and business functions are positive, and build effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Be accountable for driving action plans across the operation to deliver improvements in line with the Manufacturing Excellence roadmap and business objectives, and for pro-actively contributing to the wider Manufacturing Excellence community.
• Utilises advanced problem solving, process mapping and analysis to identify and scope improvement project plans which prioritise key value-streams, and align to business objectives and the broader Manufacturing Excellence strategy. Conduct gateway assessments to ensure suitability of projects to progress.
• Builds and delivers structured project plans through multi-functional teams. Leads and coordinates progress through strong stakeholder engagement, financial / resource management and risk mitigation. Ensures action plans and timelines account for business strategy and priorities, activities, and constraints.
• Provide effective leadership to multi-functional improvement teams, setting out clear action plans and accountabilities, giving constructive feedback and support, adjusting style to delegate effectively to different audiences. Builds and maintains appropriate stakeholder relationships inside and outside the business.
• Support teams, operational managers, and leaders towards adopting behaviours which drive high operational performance and successful change, using positive recognition and coaching.
• Demonstrate expertise in data-analysis, statistics, and measures to assess process performance and variability, conduct root cause analysis and perform experiments to test hypotheses and models.
• Apply and utilise the full suite of continuous improvement tools and techniques, selecting the best approach for the matter in hand and its context.
• Ensure communication channels within the team are robust and deliver timely information in a manner which involves and engages the team members.
• Develop high performing teams through effective people management and development, recruitment, retention, and succession planning, using the toolkit of People processes and practices and coaching line managers to do the same. Be pro-active in creating a culture in which each colleague feels that they matter. Review exit interview responses and take appropriate action.

Profile

• Have a full understanding of the Health & Safety and Environmental management procedures: - Safe Systems of Work, Risk Assessment, Accident Investigation & Reporting, Auditing Skills, Near Miss System, COSHH, Emergency procedures and behavioural safety approach.
• Have a thorough knowledge of what excellence looks like in a lean food manufacturing operation, and fully understand structure and delivery of a Manufacturing Excellence strategy.
• Knows how to influence, engage, and motivate at all levels. Has an understanding of different working styles and preferences, high performing team dynamics, situational leadership, etc.
• Knows how to use a coaching style to support others to take ownership of their challenges, solutions, and achievements by generating insight and clarity. Uses key coaching models e.g., GROW.
• Knows how to train and coach others to understand, use and build expertise in use of CI tools and techniques.
• Ideally has Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
• Lean Six Sigma Black belt, or Level 5 Improvement Specialist Apprenticeship.
• IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• People Management experience plus training and/ or qualification.

Job Offer

• Comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being.
• Opportunities to work in a large organisation within the food manufacturing industry.
• A permanent role offering stability and career progression.
• A collaborative work environment focused on innovation and excellence.

If you are ready to bring your expertise to the role of Continuous Improvement Manager, we encourage you to apply today.