Continuous Improvement Manager

Continuous Improvement Manager

Full-Time 45900 - 56100 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational excellence in manufacturing.
  • Company: Join Refresco, a global leader in beverage solutions with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, annual bonuses, healthcare, and 28+ days of leave.
  • Other info: Be part of a company that values innovation and offers excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving change and improving efficiency in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in operational improvement within fast-paced manufacturing, strong analytical skills.

The predicted salary is between 45900 - 56100 £ per year.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Refresco and play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence across our manufacturing operations.

You'll be at the forefront of continuous improvement initiatives, leading change, enhancing efficiencies, and delivering measurable improvements in safety, quality, service, and cost.

Working closely with cross-functional teams, you'll influence positive change and help embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout the business.

  • Continuous Improvement Manager
  • Permanent
  • Refresco Kegworth
  • Full Time, 38 hours per week

What's in it for you?

  • Annual bonus and regular pay reviews
  • Early Friday finish to kick-start your weekend
  • Personal healthcare cover
  • 28 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Option to purchase additional leave, increasing your allowance to 31 days plus bank holidays
  • Life assurance coverage
  • 24/7 virtual GP access for you and your family
  • Free eye-care vouchers and discounted glasses
  • Employee referral scheme with bonuses for successful referrals
  • Grocery Aid support services offering financial, legal, wellbeing and practical guidance
  • Cheers benefits platform providing discounts, free perks, and wellbeing tools
  • Free onsite parking and discounted products

About The Role

As Continuous Improvement Manager, you will lead the implementation of Refresco's Continuous Improvement methodology, driving site performance and helping achieve strategic business objectives.

You will identify opportunities for improvement across quality, safety, service, efficiency, and utility consumption, delivering sustainable results through practical, hands-on project leadership and coaching.

  • Act as a leading change agent across the site, identifying and closing performance gaps against key operational targets.
  • Embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout the business, ensuring sustainable improvement tools and practices become part of everyday operations.
  • Lead and deliver improvement projects from concept through to implementation and handover, ensuring delivery to agreed timelines, budgets, safety and quality standards.
  • Implement and champion Refresco's Continuous Improvement methodology across all operational areas.
  • Analyse operational data, trends, and reports to identify improvement opportunities and prioritise actions.
  • Lead and support cross-functional teams to deliver performance improvements and strategic objectives.
  • Drive improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), waste reduction, operational efficiency, product quality, customer service, and utility consumption.
  • Use strong operational knowledge and project management expertise to deliver complex improvement initiatives successfully.
  • Coach and develop colleagues across all levels of the business, building continuous improvement capability and creating a lasting legacy of skills.
  • Support improvements in health and safety performance through proactive problem-solving and risk reduction initiatives.
  • Facilitate innovative thinking and promote best practice sharing to continuously improve operational performance.
  • Ensure continuous improvement activities contribute to achieving site strategic goals and long-term business success.

About You

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in delivering operational improvement programmes within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, ideally FMCG.

You will have a passion for driving change, strong analytical skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels to achieve sustainable business improvements.

We want someone who will lead and role model the Refresco core values of Agile, Responsible, Excellent, Passionate and Entrepreneurial. Find out more about our values here:

  • https://www. refresco. co. uk/uk/about/our-values
  • About Refresco

Refresco is the global independent beverage solutions provider for Global, National and Emerging brands, and retailers with production in Europe, North America, and Australia.

Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, Aseptic PET, cans, and glass.

Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand, environmental responsibilities, and market trends.

Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and has more than 13,500 employees.

www. refresco. com

Our drinks on every table. That's the Refresco vision.

We're the proud owners of six drinks manufacturing sites within the UK, employing over 1,800 colleagues who produce private label soft drinks and fruit juices for many of the UK's leading retailers.

Whether it's packed in cartons, bottles or cans, we ensure that our products are made to the highest quality standards and delivered to our customers when and where they need them.

Refresco believes that equal opportunity for all is fundamental to our company's values and all our applicants can expect fairness and transparency in our recruitment process.

Continuous Improvement Manager employer: Refresco

REFRESCO in Bridgwater is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee development and fosters a collaborative work culture. With a focus on continuous improvement, employees are encouraged to enhance their skills through hands-on experience and training, while enjoying the benefits of working in a dynamic environment that values innovation and operational excellence.

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Contact Details:

Refresco Recruitment Team

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 Refresco, 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

Continuous Improvement Methodology
Operational Excellence
Project Leadership
Coaching and Development
Data Analysis
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

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 Refresco 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 Refresco

Know Your Manufacturing Processes

Before you walk into the interview with Refresco, 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 Refresco 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.