At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead initiatives to enhance efficiency and empower teams in food manufacturing.
- Company: Join apetito, the UK's leading food supplier for health and social care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, bonus scheme, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Embrace inclusion and sustainability while working towards Net Zero by 2040.
- Why this job: Be a change agent in a dynamic environment and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering/Mathematics/Sciences expected by August 2026.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Join our team and play a pivotal role in driving a culture of continuous improvement across our Manufacturing operations. As a key change agent, you will assist in leading initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, optimise production processes, and empower employees with the skills and tools to drive meaningful improvements.
What We’re Looking For
- A proactive, results‑driven individual with a passion for process optimisation and operational excellence.
- Strong ability to influence and engage at all levels, from shop floor teams to senior leadership.
- Experience or knowledge in Lean methodologies and continuous improvement tools.
- Excellent coaching and training skills, with a talent for empowering others to embrace and implement change.
- A strategic thinker who thrives in a dynamic, hands‑on environment, driving meaningful transformation within manufacturing.
This role offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills while making a tangible impact on our operations. If you’re ready for a stimulating challenge where autonomy and innovation meet, we’d love to hear from you.
Over the 2‑year Graduate Programme
You will receive mentoring, leadership training and support, present to the executive team on your work, and be trained to become a future leader.
Responsibilities
- Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Champion the adoption of continuous improvement methodologies, implementing best practices to enhance manufacturing performance and maximise efficiency.
- Identify, develop, and implement solutions to optimise processes, mitigate potential issues, and drive sustainable operational improvements.
- Analyse process capabilities and collaborate with support functions to ensure stability, consistency, and standardisation across manufacturing operations.
- Leadership & Culture Transformation
- Foster a proactive and high‑performance culture, motivating and aligning staff toward operational excellence.
- Act as a visible and engaged presence on the shop floor, driving a positive culture shift with energy and pace.
- Train, coach, and mentor individuals and teams in Lean principles and process improvement techniques to strengthen organisational capability.
- Take a hands‑on approach to leadership, guiding and influencing diverse teams to achieve first‑time‑right quality products safely and efficiently.
- Strategic Impact & Business Growth
- Work autonomously, collaborating with the leadership team to shape and execute strategic improvement programmes.
- Provide data‑driven recommendations to identify and capitalise on improvement opportunities within the business.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to reduce production costs while maintaining exceptional customer service, high‑quality standards, and optimised production capacity.
- Assist in developing and maintaining a robust framework of tools and methodologies that empower the site to drive continuous improvement.
- Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Uphold high standards of Food Safety, authenticity, legality, and quality, ensuring compliance with factory protocols.
- Implement and monitor corrective actions, resolve non‑conformances, and proactively address customer complaints.
Essential
- Hold, or be studying towards, a degree in Engineering/Mathematics/Sciences related discipline with an expected 22 or higher (graduating by August 2026).
- Confident working with large data sets and able to analyse them to determine patterns or trends to support further work or solutions.
- Comfortable being “hands on” and working on the shop floor to further understand the problem and find solutions.
- Interaction with shop floor staff at all levels.
- Organisational and time‑management skills.
- Make and keep accurate records.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Team player, able to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
- Confident to lead discussions and bring ideas together from different departments.
- Passion for food manufacturing.
Desirable
- Project Management experience.
- Working in a food production environment.
Personal Qualities
- Excellent analysis, problem management and interpersonal skills.
- A completer finisher.
- Self‑motivated and able to own and manage workload with minimal supervision – a proven self‑starter.
- Able to demonstrate a structured approach to work and be able to work well in a team environment and deal with people professionally at all levels.
- Effective at using oral and written forms of communication.
This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the skilled worker route as it does not meet the minimum requirements set out under the UK Immigration Rules.
Benefits
- Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer.
- 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays.
- Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year.
- Discretionary annual bonus scheme.
- Pension scheme – employer matched contributions up to 4%.
- Life assurance scheme worth at least 1× annual salary.
- Subsidised canteen.
- Free parking.
- Free turkey or voucher at Christmas.
- Access to employee benefits including Perkbox with salary sacrifice options and retail discounts.
Continuous Improvement Graduate in Trowbridge employer: apetito UK
At apetito UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions continuous improvement and operational excellence within the food manufacturing sector. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth while ensuring a supportive environment where every employee can thrive. With competitive benefits, including a discretionary bonus scheme and a commitment to sustainability, joining our team means being part of a mission-driven organisation dedicated to making a positive impact in the health and social care sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Continuous Improvement Graduate in Trowbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research apetito's values, mission, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being a part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to continuous improvement and Lean principles. Use real-life examples from your studies or experiences to demonstrate your skills and passion for food manufacturing.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the apetito family and ready to make a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Continuous Improvement Graduate in Trowbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Continuous Improvement Graduate role. Highlight any relevant projects or coursework that showcase your analytical abilities and hands-on experience in manufacturing.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about food manufacturing and continuous improvement. Share specific examples of how you've applied Lean principles or problem-solving techniques in past experiences.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since the role involves working with large data sets, be sure to mention any experience you have with data analysis. Whether it's through coursework or previous jobs, demonstrate how you've used data to drive improvements.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets into the right hands!
How to prepare for a job interview at apetito UK
✨Know Your Continuous Improvement Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on key continuous improvement methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these principles in your studies or any relevant projects, as this will show your understanding and passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since the job involves working with large data sets, prepare to demonstrate your analytical skills. Bring examples of how you've analysed data to identify trends or solve problems, and be ready to discuss the tools you used to do so.
✨Be Hands-On and Engaged
This role requires a hands-on approach, so during the interview, express your willingness to get involved on the shop floor. Share any experiences where you’ve worked directly with teams to implement improvements, as this will highlight your proactive attitude.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Collaboration is key in this role, so be prepared to talk about times when you've successfully worked in a team. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve motivated others towards achieving shared goals, as this aligns perfectly with the company’s culture.