At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a leading pharmaceutical company focused on operational excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and skill development.
- Why this job: Drive meaningful change and optimise processes in a dynamic, regulated environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in Lean practices and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
The Lean Practitioner will apply Lean methodologies within the Hard Services delivery team to improve maintenance and engineering processes, eliminate waste, and embed standardised best practice across a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
The role supports continuous improvement initiatives, drives operational excellence, and fosters a culture of proactive problem-solving and sustained performance optimisation
Main Duties
- 1) Continuous improvement leadership (Hard Services)
- Create and manage a site Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP), ensuring initiatives are scoped, prioritised, resourced, tracked and benefits realised/sustained.
- Lead structured improvement activity using Lean/Kaizen and Lean Six Sigma approaches (e. g., DMAIC/PDCA thinking, root cause analysis) to remove waste and reduce process variation in maintenance workflows.
- Apply practical Lean tools in the engineering environment including 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise, Sustain) to improve safety, compliance, and efficiency in workshops, stores, plant rooms, and maintenance areas.
- Use time-and-motion / workload-balancing techniques (e. g., Yamazumi-style analysis) to identify non-productive time, improve scheduling, and optimise resource deployment across the site.
- 2) Data-led performance insight & problem solving
- Review operational data to understand trends, identify constraints and repeat failures, and target the highest-value improvement opportunities (reactive drivers, permit delays, spares bottlenecks, planning effectiveness, repeat defects).
- Establish practical “feedback loops” (e. g., stakeholder feedback, satisfaction measures, helpdesk insights) and convert them into prioritised improvement actions.
- Facilitate structured root cause investigations and ensure corrective and preventative actions are embedded into standard processes.
- 3) Engagement, coaching & culture
- Coach and support engineers, planners, supervisors, and supply chain partners to use Lean tools in daily work (toolbox talks, huddles, short workshops, on-the-job coaching).
- Promote standardised ways of working and share learning across teams to prevent reoccurrence and sustain improvements.
- Support delivery of Lean / Operational Excellence capability-building (e. g., Yellow/Green Belt level development) to embed Lean behaviours across the hard services organisation.
- 4) Regulated site compliance & documentation discipline
- Operate within the requirements of a regulated pharmaceutical environment (e. g., GMP/GLP areas), ensuring improvements strengthen audit readiness, documentation quality, and compliance behaviours.
- Ensure improvement activity aligns with safe systems of work, permit-to-work controls, contractor controls, and local SSOW requirements, partnering with HSE/Compliance leads as required.
- 5) Governance & stakeholder management
- Maintain an ongoing, collaborative dialogue with key site stakeholders to understand priorities, issues, and operational risk; translate these into CI deliverables and measurable outcomes.
- Contribute to (and where required, facilitate) joint improvement forums/committees with stakeholders and supply chain to review progress, remove blockers, and agree next steps.
- Produce clear reporting for governance packs: CI pipeline, benefits realisation, risks/issues, and actions to sustain improvements
- What we are looking for
Essential
- Demonstrable experience applying Lean / continuous improvement in an operational environment (engineering, maintenance, manufacturing, or facilities)
- Strong working knowledge of core Lean tools (process mapping, 5 Whys, standard work, visual management, 5S) and facilitation of improvement workshops.
- Confident using data to diagnose issues and evidence benefits (trend analysis, Pareto thinking, workload/time studies).
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills—able to influence engineers and leaders and embed change on shift-based teams.
Desirable
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (or higher) and/or formal Operational Excellence training.
- Experience working in regulated environments (pharma, life sciences, critical environments) with strong documentation discipline and audit readiness focus.
- Understanding of maintenance best practice (planned maintenance optimisation, proactive/predictive mindset, reliability concepts)
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Lean Practitioner in Macclesfield employer: Mitie Group plc.
Mitie Group plc. is an excellent employer that values its team members by providing a supportive work environment in Tutnalls, where collaboration and reliability are key. With flexible part-time hours, employees can enjoy a healthy work-life balance while benefiting from opportunities for personal growth and development within the company. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that prioritises safety, cleanliness, and exceptional service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lean Practitioner in Macclesfield
✨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 Mitie Group plc., 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 Lean Practitioner in Macclesfield
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 Mitie Group plc. 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 Mitie Group plc.
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Mitie Group plc., 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 Mitie Group plc. 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.
