Continuous Improvement Specialist in Ashford

Join Our Team and Drive Operational Excellence

Are you passionate about improving processes, engaging people, and delivering measurable results? We are looking for a proactive and influential Continuous Improvement Partner to help drive sustainable improvements across our manufacturing operation. This is one of three Continuous Improvement Partner roles operating across the site. Each role is aligned to a dedicated business unit/production centre, providing focused support, coaching and improvement leadership to that area while contributing to the site's overall Continuous Improvement strategy.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with a strong continuous improvement background to work closely with the Production Team embedding a culture of operational excellence. You will play a key role in identifying opportunities, facilitating change, and delivering improvements that enhance safety, quality, productivity and cost performance.

The Role

Reporting into the CI Manager, you will act as a trusted business partner and change facilitator, working collaboratively across Production. You will lead continuous improvement plans, support problem-solving activities, and help teams develop the skills and mindset required to achieve sustainable performance improvements. This role provides the opportunity to make a tangible impact by driving efficiency, reducing waste, and enabling data-driven decision-making across the site.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement activities for your area

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity and cost performance.
• Analyse operational and manufacturing data to uncover improvement opportunities and support informed decision-making.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen and Root Cause Analysis methodologies to solve operational challenges.
• Facilitate workshops, value stream mapping exercises and structured problem-solving sessions.
• Coach and mentor Team Leaders, Specialist Operators and operational teams on continuous improvement tools and techniques.
• Support the reduction of downtime, waste, rework and process inefficiencies.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators, including OEE, yield, waste and productivity measures.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Quality and Maintenance teams to deliver sustainable improvements.
• Support change management activities and help embed new ways of working across the business.
• Develop and maintain improvement documentation, including A3 reports, action plans and performance dashboards.

• Promote a culture of accountability, operational excellence and continuous improvement in your area.

• Partner with Finance to analyse waste, yield and cost performance, identifying opportunities to improve profitability.
• Support health, safety, environmental and food safety standards through active participation in audits, risk assessments and improvement initiatives.

About You

We are looking for a motivated and collaborative individual who can influence at all levels and translate data into practical improvement actions.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in a Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Manufacturing Excellence or similar role.
• Experience working within a manufacturing, FMCG, food production, engineering or operational environment.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing tools and methodologies.
• Practical experience of Root Cause Analysis techniques and structured problem-solving.
• Ability to analyse data, identify trends and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience facilitating cross-functional projects and improvement workshops.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to coach and influence teams to adopt continuous improvement practices.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and KPI reporting.

Desirable

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent qualification.
• Experience of Value Stream Mapping and OEE improvement programmes.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing, quality management systems or regulated production environments.
• Experience working within a matrix management structure.

What You'll Bring

• A passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• An engaging and collaborative approach to coaching and influencing others.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive mindset with the ability to challenge constructively and drive positive change.
• Resilience, adaptability and a commitment to delivering sustainable results.

Benefits and Perks

• 25 day’s annual leave and 8 bank holidays
• Contributory pension up to 7.5%, plus life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and occupational health support
• Sharesave scheme
• Company shop
• Online retail discounts
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free on-site parking and strong transport links