We are looking for a Continuous Improvement Engineer to join our Machine Shop. Reporting to the Machine Shop Manager, you will be required to support with planning, liaise with a cross functional team in order to deliver productivity and capacity targets, support continuous improvement, quality and use data to drive operational development.
This role would be consuming ~20% of weekly working hours with 80% still to deliver direct labour hours.
Main Duties/Responsibilities:
- Continuous Improvement Program & Governance
- Contribute to Kaizen events and daily/weekly Gemba walks; champion 5S, visual management, and waste elimination.
- Process Engineering & Time Reduction
- Conduct time studies and batch quantities to improve accuracy of planned job times, highlighting opportunities for direct cost savings.
- Identify and implement productivity improvements that leads to reduced planned times.
- Develop process capability on key characteristics; implement error‑proofing (Poka‑Yoke).
- Translate shop KPIs (OEE, utilisation, WIP, yield, scrap, rework, schedule adherence) into actions that improve overhead recovery.
- Quality Improvement & Problem Solving
- Contribute to root cause analysis via IPCAR meetings to address defects, variation, and repeat issues.
- Collaborate with Quality on in‑process controls in alignment with key stakeholders to drive world class quality.
- Production Support & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with the machine shop team, planners, quality, and supply chain to remove bottlenecks.
- Support NPI/engineering changes to ensure manufacturability and stable process introduction.
Required Essential Skills:
- Track record of working closely with Manufacturing cells, planning, suppliers and quality departments.
- Experience of using problem solving techniques.
- A strong track record of delivering quality based solutions for customers.
- Good time management with a track record of delivering product on time.
- Strong IT skills, Microsoft Office, Word and Excel at Intermediate level.
- Team player, able to work in a concurrent team.
- Self-motivated and takes ownership with a proactive approach with the ability to work independently, maintaining team communication.
- Handles pressure well, with a flexible approach to work and a willingness to learn and develop.
- Has experience of running continuous improvement projects from end to end.
- Has experience in driving down production costs.
- Need to be Basic DBS clearable due to air freight security.
- Six Sigma – Green belt acceptable, Blackbelt advantageous.
- Strong knowledge and use of lean manufacturing techniques and tools.
Desirable Skills:
- Knowledge of Navision ERP/MRP system.
- Good Communicator.
- Knowledge of inventory management.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing tools.
- Project management skills.
Required Personal Attributes:
- Honesty/Integrity – Does not cut corners ethically. Earns trust and maintains confidence. Does what is right. Speaks plainly and truthfully.
- Follow through on commitments – Lives up to verbal and written agreements, regardless of personal costs.
- Attention to detail – Does not let important details slip through the cracks or derail a project
- Flexibility/adaptability – adjusts quickly to change priority and conditions. Copes effectively with complexity and change
- Enthusiasm – Exhibits passion and excitement over work. Has a can-do attitude
- Worth Ethic – possess a strong willingness to work hard and sometimes long hours to get the job done. Has a track record of working hard
- High standards – Expects personal performance to be nothing short of the best
- Listening skills – Lets others speak and seeks to understand their viewpoints
- Communication – speaks and writes clearly and articulately without being over verbose or talkative.
- Teamwork – reaches out to peers and cooperates with managers to establish overall collaborative working relationship.
