At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive engineering improvements on the shop floor and enhance production performance.
- Company: Join Refresco Bridgwater, a leader in the drinks manufacturing industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 10% annual bonus, 28 days holiday, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career progression and exposure to advanced improvement methodologies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising machinery and processes in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Level 3 engineering qualification and 5 years of manufacturing experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Company description: Refresco Bridgwater.
As the Continuous Improvement Engineer, you will play a vital hands-on role in delivering targeted engineering improvements across key production assets. Working closely with the CI Team Lead, you will bring improvement plans to life on the shop floor - executing technical adjustments, optimisations, and modifications that directly enhance performance, reliability, and efficiency. You will act as the technical delivery engine of the Focused Improvement Team (FIT), ensuring that engineering standards are not only defined but physically achieved and sustained on the line.
Role Purpose: The Continuous Improvement Engineer is responsible for the practical execution of continuous improvement activities across the assigned asset or production line. Working from the CI Team Lead's direction, this role ensures that engineering improvements are implemented effectively, safely, and sustainably. This is a highly hands-on engineering role focused on machine performance, parameter optimisation, fault resolution, and technical problem solving. The CI Engineer bridges the gap between improvement strategy and operational reality, ensuring assets consistently meet defined performance standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Execute engineering tasks and improvement actions defined by the CI Team Lead within the FIT programme.
- Adjust machine settings, parameters, and configurations to improve OEE, throughput, speed, and quality.
- Conduct daily analysis of OEE/MME data to identify technical losses and performance gaps.
- Investigate, diagnose, and resolve recurring engineering issues and defects.
- Maintain defect logs and ensure engineering standards are restored and sustained.
- Carry out planned engineering work during downtime, shutdowns, and non-running periods.
- Fabricate, modify, or source components to support improvement activities.
- Liaise with OEMs, suppliers, and technical contractors to implement fixes and upgrades.
- Support installation and commissioning of process or equipment modifications.
- Collect, record, and analyse engineering performance data to support continuous improvement.
- Support CI projects with hands-on technical delivery and validation of improvements.
- Participate in daily huddles and cross-functional communication to ensure alignment.
- Ensure improvements are embedded and sustained through standardised settings and practices.
About You:
You are a hands-on, technically capable engineer who enjoys solving problems at source. You thrive in fast-moving manufacturing environments and take pride in improving how equipment performs day-to-day. You are confident working with data, machinery, and cross-functional teams, and you understand how small engineering changes can deliver significant performance gains.
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- Level 3 or above Engineering qualification.
- Minimum 5 years engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Desirable:
- Experience within drinks manufacturing or FMCG environments.
Why Join Us?
- Be directly responsible for delivering real, measurable asset improvements.
- Work as part of a focused CI team driving operational excellence.
- Gain exposure to advanced improvement methodologies and modern manufacturing systems.
- Opportunity to develop technical expertise and progression within CI and engineering pathways.
The Continuous Improvement Engineer is the hands-on delivery specialist who turns CI strategy into reality, ensuring machines, processes, and assets physically perform to the standards defined by the CI Team Lead.
Improvement Engineer employer: Refresco Drinks UK Limited
At Refresco, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and personal growth. As a Quality Control Technician at our Bondgate site, you'll benefit from comprehensive training programmes and clear pathways for advancement, all while being part of a supportive team dedicated to excellence in manufacturing. Join us to not only enhance your skills but also contribute to a company that values quality and employee development.
Contact Details:
Refresco Drinks UK Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Improvement Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! When you’re on the shop floor, don’t just observe—jump in and show what you can do. Demonstrating your technical skills in real-time can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Chat with the CI Team Lead and other engineers during your visit. Building relationships can give you insights into the company culture and might even lead to a recommendation.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! Bring examples of past engineering challenges you’ve tackled. Discussing how you resolved issues can highlight your hands-on experience and make you memorable.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Refresco Bridgwater.
We think you need these skills to ace Improvement Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Hands-On Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your hands-on engineering experience. We want to see how you've tackled real-world problems and improved processes in previous roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your technical skills and problem-solving abilities.
Tailor Your Application:Don't just send out the same application for every job. Take a moment to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and qualifications mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their experience with what we're looking for!
Be Data-Driven:Since this role involves analysing performance data, it’s a good idea to mention any experience you have with data analysis in your application. We appreciate candidates who can back up their achievements with numbers, so if you've improved OEE or reduced downtime, shout about it!
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. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Refresco Bridgwater!
How to prepare for a job interview at Refresco Drinks UK Limited
✨Know Your Engineering Basics
Brush up on your engineering principles, especially those related to continuous improvement and manufacturing processes. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these concepts in past roles, as this will show your technical capability and hands-on experience.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, highlighting your analytical skills and ability to implement effective solutions.
✨Familiarise Yourself with OEE and MME
Understand the metrics of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and Manufacturing Machine Efficiency (MME). Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data analysis to identify performance gaps and what actions you took to improve them.
✨Engage with the CI Team Concept
Research the Focused Improvement Team (FIT) approach and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to a collaborative environment. Highlight your experience working cross-functionally and how you can help embed improvements sustainably on the shop floor.
