Improvement Engineer

Improvement Engineer

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive engineering improvements on the shop floor and enhance machine performance.
  • Company: Join a leading manufacturing company focused on operational excellence.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, and 28 days holiday plus bank holidays.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and technical development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising production processes and solving engineering challenges.
  • Qualifications: Level 3 engineering qualification and 5 years' experience in manufacturing.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

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.

What’s in it for you?

  • 10% Annual bonus
  • 28 days holiday + bank holidays
  • 4% Employer pension contribution
  • Life assurance
  • Access to employee benefits platform – Cheers which includes flexible benefits such as healthcare cover, healthcare cash plan, dental insurance, car scheme, activities pass, financial services, will writing services etc.

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
  • 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

Summary

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

As a Continuous Improvement Engineer at our Bridgwater facility, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to driving operational excellence and enhancing production performance. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through hands-on experience and exposure to advanced improvement methodologies, alongside competitive benefits such as a 10% annual bonus, generous holiday allowance, and a comprehensive employee benefits platform. Join us to make a tangible impact in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
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Contact Detail:

Refresco Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Improvement Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss specific projects or improvements you've made in the past. Bring examples that highlight your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply anywhere—apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Tailor your application to show how your skills align with our Continuous Improvement Engineer role.

✨Tip Number 4

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the job.

We think you need these skills to ace Improvement Engineer

Continuous Improvement
Engineering Qualifications (Level 3 or above)
Manufacturing Experience (minimum 5 years)
Technical Problem Solving
Machine Performance Optimisation
Data Analysis (OEE/MME data)
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Communication Skills
Fault Resolution
Process Modifications
Defect Logging
Hands-On Technical Delivery
Adaptability in Fast-Moving Environments
Experience in FMCG or Drinks Manufacturing

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Continuous Improvement Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on engineering experience and any specific achievements in improving machine performance or efficiency. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about continuous improvement and how your skills align with our needs. Be sure to mention any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your problem-solving abilities.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your technical skills in your application. Mention any engineering qualifications, experience with data analysis, and familiarity with manufacturing processes. We love seeing candidates who are confident with machinery and data!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to submit all your documents in one go. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application better!

How to prepare for a job interview at Refresco

✨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 real-world scenarios, as this will show your hands-on experience and technical capability.

✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare specific examples of how you've diagnosed and resolved engineering issues 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 Metrics

Understand Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data analysis to identify performance gaps. This knowledge is crucial for the role, so being able to talk about your experience with OEE metrics will impress the interviewers.

✨Engage with Cross-Functional Teams

Since collaboration is key in this role, think of examples where you've worked with different teams to achieve a common goal. Highlight your communication skills and how you ensure alignment across functions, as this will demonstrate your fit within their CI team.

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