Continuous Improvement Manager

Job Description:

Continuous Improvement Manager – Manufacturing

Leicester

£65,000

7% Matched Pension

Private medical healthcare

Profit related pay

Driving operational excellence across people, process, and performance

As a specialist recruitment consultant within the manufacturing and FMCG sector, I’m currently partnering with a large, well-established UK manufacturing group to appoint a Continuous Improvement Manager. This is a high-impact role within a complex, high-volume manufacturing operation supplying major retail customers.

The opportunity
Reporting into senior operations leadership, the Continuous Improvement Manager will play a pivotal role in improving safety, quality, delivery, and cost across the sites. You’ll lead structured improvement initiatives on the shop floor, working closely with production, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to deliver measurable, long-term results.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and deliver CI initiatives across manufacturing operations and shop-floor environments
• Embed Lean manufacturing principles (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, SMED, VSM)
• Drive improvements in OEE, waste reduction, throughput, and right-first-time metrics
• Coach and develop site leadership and operators in problem-solving and CI tools
• Facilitate Kaizen events and structured improvement workshops
• Use data and KPIs to identify opportunities, track benefits, and sustain gains
• Support cultural change by embedding CI into daily management systems

About you

• Proven experience in a Continuous Improvement / Lean role within manufacturing
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and shop-floor dynamics
• Formal CI qualification (Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt or equivalent) preferred
• Confident influencing production teams and senior stakeholders alike
• Hands-on, pragmatic, and comfortable spending time on the factory floor

Why this role?
From a recruitment standpoint, this is a rare opportunity to join a manufacturing business that is genuinely committed to continuous improvement — not just in theory, but in daily practice. The role offers visibility, autonomy, and the chance to shape how CI is embedded across the operation.

If you’re a Continuous Improvement Manager in manufacturing looking for a role where your impact will be seen, measured, and valued, I’d be keen to speak with you confidentially.

How to apply:

Please click “apply” or for further information, please contact Andy Crewe at ATA Recruitment, or alternatively please email me an up-to-date copy of your CV to (url removed)

ATA Recruitment specialises in technical & engineering positions from entry level up to Director level appointments. Please look at our website for further potential opportunities which may suit your skills and experience. If you have the skills, we have the recruitment knowledge and together we can help find you your ideal job – (url removed)

REF: Continuous Improvement Manager

ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation