At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead continuous improvement initiatives and empower teams to achieve sustainable results.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, enhanced sick pay, and a range of wellness initiatives.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving change and optimising processes in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in continuous improvement and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
As our Continuous Improvement Manager, you will provide improvement leadership and resources onsite, working with and challenging all business areas to achieve measurable, sustainable improvements aligned with vision and goals. You will facilitate improvement activities, embed legacy education, and support team skills development.
What you’ll be doing:
- Always ensure safety first and maintain a safety focus in all interactions.
- Champion a CI culture and support teams with knowledge of CI tools, techniques, and ways of working.
- Provide and share expert continuous improvement knowledge and technical skills at all levels to identify opportunities and define projects with clear goals.
- Provide the business with the skills to complete Kaizen events, planning and facilitating events as necessary to support improvement initiatives.
- Provide clear technical expertise and guidance to the wider plant team when needed.
- Identify process optimisation and improvement opportunities and align them to the annual business objectives.
- Support business projects through leadership and facilitation, enabling Process Leaders, Engineering Teams, and Shift Leaders to lead improvement initiatives independently.
- Ensure the site has access to all best‑practice sources, internal and external, to sustain a competitive advantage.
- Provide support to personnel in completing Six Sigma training and assist with the application of tools and techniques.
- Work with plant teams and the Process Excellence Manager in the Industrial Performance Team to maintain the CI framework and ensure ongoing sustainability.
- Implement a structured problem‑solving approach, selecting appropriate tools such as 5‑Why, 8‑D, DMAIC, etc.
What we’d love for you to have:
- Clear drive for improvement, proactive and appetite to learn new skills.
- Strong alignment with Knauf Industrial values.
- Experience engaging process personnel in improvement activities (workshops, improvement groups).
- Substantial experience (minimum 2 years) of continuous process plant operation with tangible improvement references.
- Graduation in an industrial or business‑based discipline (desirable).
- Leadership and communication style that motivates and engages teams.
- Evidence of a substantial toolbox of improvement skills, preferably aligned to LEAN or Six Sigma techniques.
- Ability to challenge the status quo and not accept opinions as facts.
- Good communication and influencing skills.
We’ll provide:
- Enhanced holiday pay – 33 days including bank holidays and additional purchase option.
- 16 weeks of company sick pay after 3 months of service.
- Group income protection.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption packages.
- Life assurance – 4 × annual salary.
- Defined contribution pension scheme.
- Staff bonus scheme.
- Career progression routes.
- Employee assistance programme via Health Assured.
- Westfield health cash plan.
- Perkbox.
- Access to Costco membership.
- Wickes employee purchase scheme.
- On‑site gyms.
- Well‑being initiatives and mental health first aiders.
- Car salary sacrifice scheme.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- On‑site car charging points.
Knauf Insulation welcomes applications from everyone and is committed to treating everyone equally, regardless of age, sex, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, religion/belief, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, or pregnancy/maternity. We encourage applications from people from minority backgrounds or under‑represented demographics in the manufacturing industry. We are a Disability Confident Leader (Level 1) and take care to ensure good EDI (Equality, Diversity).
Continuous Improvement Manager - 12 Month Secondment Cwmbran, South Wales employer: Knauf Insulation UK
Knauf Insulation is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a comprehensive benefits package including enhanced holiday pay, generous sick leave, and career progression opportunities. Located in Cwmbran, South Wales, the company fosters a collaborative work culture that champions continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring that all team members are equipped with the skills and support needed to thrive in their roles. With a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, Knauf Insulation creates a welcoming environment for all employees, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Continuous Improvement Manager - 12 Month Secondment Cwmbran, South Wales
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to continuous improvement. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for continuous improvement during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've driven change in previous roles and how you can bring that expertise to the team at Knauf.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Continuous Improvement Manager - 12 Month Secondment Cwmbran, South Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Continuous Improvement Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with our vision and goals, especially in continuous improvement and process optimisation.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate the impact of your work – we love numbers!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can engage and motivate teams, so don’t be afraid to show us your leadership style and communication skills.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at Knauf Insulation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Knauf Insulation UK
✨Know Your CI Tools
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of continuous improvement tools like Six Sigma and Lean methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, as this will show your practical experience and understanding of the concepts.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've motivated teams in previous roles. Think about specific instances where you facilitated workshops or led improvement initiatives, as this will demonstrate your ability to engage others in the CI process.
✨Emphasise Safety and Culture
Since safety is a priority, be prepared to discuss how you’ve maintained a safety-first approach in your previous positions. Share examples of how you’ve championed a culture of continuous improvement while ensuring safety standards are met.
✨Be Ready to Challenge the Status Quo
Demonstrate your ability to think critically and challenge existing processes. Prepare to discuss times when you identified inefficiencies and proposed innovative solutions, as this aligns with the role's requirement to not accept opinions as facts.
