At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead continuous improvement initiatives in a fast-paced pet food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join Mars, a purpose-driven company committed to making a difference for pets.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and best-in-class learning opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with strong focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on pet nutrition while driving operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree or equivalent experience in high-volume manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
This job is with Mars, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
Job Opportunity: Continuous Improvement Manager
Location: Birstall, Leeds
Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits
Type: Full-time, Permanent
We are looking for a CI Manager to play a pivotal role in delivering new production assets while leading the site's continuous improvement agenda across a fast-paced pet food manufacturing environment. You will lead commissioning, validation and start-up of new equipment while driving operational excellence through the identification and elimination of production losses. Working in partnership with production, engineering, maintenance and site leadership teams, you will influence stakeholders at all levels to build capability, align priorities and embed a culture of continuous improvement that delivers sustainable business performance. This role is critical to ensuring our lines start strong, run efficiently and continuously improve-helping us deliver the quality pet nutrition that millions of pets rely on every day.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead commissioning, validation and start-up (CVS) of new production lines, equipment and new product introductions, ensuring successful operational handover and sustainable performance.
- Own the site's continuous improvement roadmap, aligning improvement priorities with operational and business objectives.
- Build strong relationships with production, engineering, maintenance, quality, supply chain and site leadership teams to drive alignment and successful delivery of improvement initiatives.
- Lead site-wide loss analysis across OEE, waste, downtime and speed loss, translating operational data into business-focused improvement opportunities.
- Engage and influence stakeholders across all functions to prioritise resources, remove barriers and deliver measurable operational improvements.
- Lead cross-functional improvement teams, fostering collaboration, accountability and ownership to achieve shared performance goals.
- Develop and present business cases for improvement initiatives, communicating risks, opportunities and expected benefits to site leadership.
- Coach and support leaders, engineers and operators in Lean, TPM and structured problem-solving methodologies, building continuous improvement capability across the site.
- Champion a culture of operational excellence, encouraging data-driven decision making, ownership and continuous learning.
- Apply structured problem-solving techniques including Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys and DMAIC to eliminate recurring losses and improve process capability.
- Monitor, communicate and review improvement performance with key stakeholders, ensuring benefits are sustained and opportunities for further optimisation are identified.
- Support the rapid ramp-up of new production assets, working collaboratively across functions to achieve target safety, quality, delivery, cost and performance metrics.
About You
- Engineering or technical degree (or equivalent experience) within manufacturing or engineering.
- Significant experience within FMCG or other high-volume manufacturing environments, ideally food or pet food.
- Proven success leading cross-functional continuous improvement and operational excellence programmes.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility and drive alignment across production, engineering, maintenance, quality and senior leadership teams.
- Demonstrated ability to engage and coach teams at all levels, creating ownership and accountability for continuous improvement.
- Strong understanding of OEE, loss analysis, reliability improvement and waste elimination.
- Experience applying TPM, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or equivalent operational excellence methodologies.
- Excellent analytical, communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to translate operational data into compelling improvement plans.
- Confident leading change in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while balancing operational priorities and stakeholder expectations.
- Visible and collaborative leader with a strong shopfloor presence and the ability to influence without direct authority.
- Results-driven with a proven track record of delivering sustainable improvements in safety, quality, service, cost and productivity.
What can you expect from Mars?
- Be part of a purpose-driven business: A Better World for Pets
- Work on products that make a real difference to the health and happiness of pets globally
- Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
- Join a purpose-driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
- An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.
Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or who are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process.
Continuous Improvement Manager employer: Mars
Mars in Melton Mowbray is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With competitive salaries, private healthcare, and ample opportunities for career advancement, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their roles while working with state-of-the-art technology in the FMCG sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Continuous Improvement Manager
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Mars, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Continuous Improvement Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Mars specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mars
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Mars, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Mars value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
