Process Lead - FTC in Pontefract

Initial 12-month FTC Pontefract (Home of Butterkist Popcorn) On-site

Join our snack-loving team. We’re looking for a Process Lead to join us at KP Snacks. If you’re ready to bring your ideas to the table, grow your skills and be part of a team that values what makes you, you – this could be your next big move.

About the role

As a Process Lead, you’ll play a key role in driving operational excellence and loss elimination on our production lines. You’ll be the technical expert for your area, responsible for developing the team’s understanding of process control and ensuring the integrity of our MES system. Your focus will be on analysing machine data, identifying opportunities to reduce losses and coaching the team to deliver sustainable improvements. You’ll lead initiatives such as Centerline Management, Changeover optimisation and process control strategies, ensuring our lines run efficiently and deliver the highest quality products. This role also involves training and coaching operators, supporting continuous improvement projects and sharing best practice across the site. It’s a hands-on role where you’ll collaborate closely with Line Leads, Maintenance Leads and other functions to make a real impact on performance, safety and quality.

What’s in it for you?

We believe in rewarding our colleagues and helping them thrive. Here’s a flavour of what we offer:

• Annual salary of £31,734.88
• Comprehensive healthcare support – including Medicash Health Cash Plan, Digital GP, Best Doctors second opinion service and specialist cancer care
• KP Pension Plan – contribution matching up to 7% of your salary
• 25 days holiday, plus the option to buy more
• KP4ME – our online platform for benefits, discounts, wellbeing tools and more

What will you be doing?

• Analyse machine data and eliminate losses – Take ownership of data analysis for your area, using tools like Loss Trees to identify and prioritise losses. You’ll lead root cause investigations and coach the team on structured problem-solving techniques such as 5 Whys and fishbone diagrams.
• Lead process control and technological excellence – Implement and sustain process standards and GMP requirements, ensuring consistent process control strategies are in place. You’ll act as the technical expert for your line, driving improvements in efficiency and product quality.
• Own key systems and standards – Manage and maintain the integrity of the MES system, Centerline DMS and Changeover DMS for your area. You’ll ensure these systems are healthy, accurate and continuously improved to support operational excellence.
• Coach and develop the team – Train operators and equipment owners on process knowledge, troubleshooting and continuous improvement tools. You’ll build capability across the team, helping them understand the ‘why’ behind processes and empowering them to make improvements.
• Drive change and improvement projects – Lead rapid changeover workshops, support change management processes and share best practice across the site. You’ll play a key role in reducing downtime, improving line performance and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.

Who are we?

We’re KP Snacks, part of the Intersnack family. Across more than 30 countries, over 15,000 of us work together to make the snacks people love – from Hula Hoops to McCoy’s. In the UK, we’re a team of around 2,400 colleagues, based across seven sites and our Slough HQ. We’re proud of our close-knit culture, where we speak up, celebrate differences and push boundaries together. We’re committed to inclusion. We’re building a workplace where everyone belongs. If you don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you – your unique perspective could be just what we need. And if there’s anything we can do to make the process easier for you, just let us know.

We’d love to hear from you if you can bring:

• Analytical strength and problem-solving ability – Comfortable working with data, spotting patterns and using structured tools to identify root causes.
• Technical understanding and continuous improvement experience – Ideally with exposure to process control, equipment ownership or engineering principles.
• Coaching and training skills – Able to build capability within the team and communicate complex information in a clear, practical way.
• Confidence with data and systems – Intermediate Microsoft Office skills and familiarity with MES or similar systems.
• A proactive, collaborative approach – Strong communication skills, openness to change and a passion for learning and sharing best practice.