Continuous Improvement Manager
4 days ago
Harlow
About LT Foods UK LT Foods UK is a leading supplier of premium rice and rice-based products, including the renowned Daawat brand. As part of LT Foods Global, we are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable food solutions to our customers. Our culture is built on integrity, innovation, and inclusiveness, with a strong focus on employee development, customer satisfaction, and environmental responsibility. We foster a collaborative and respectful workplace where every team member is empowered to contribute and grow. Company Culture At LT Foods UK, we believe in nurturing goodness through our products and our people. Our culture is rooted in respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We encourage innovation, support professional growth, and celebrate diversity. Employees are empowered to take initiative and contribute to our shared success. What We Offer · Competitive salary. · 25 days annual leave plus 8 UK bank holidays. · Company pension scheme. · Ongoing training and professional development. · Employee wellbeing initiatives. · A supportive, collaborative, and inclusive working environment. Role Overview The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence across LT Foods UK's manufacturing, warehouse, and business support functions. The role will lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing efficiency, reducing waste, improving quality, enhancing customer satisfaction, and embedding a culture of Lean thinking and continuous improvement throughout the organisation. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to identify improvement opportunities, implement sustainable solutions, measure performance, and support strategic business objectives. This role will report directly to the Director of Operations. Working Hours 40 hours per week. Monday – Friday, hours to be agreed with Management. An element of flexibility is required for this role to support the needs of the business and coverage of the team. This role is initially on a fixed term basis for 3-6 months, depending on project needs. Key Responsibilities Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence · Develop and implement a site-wide continuous improvement strategy aligned to business objectives. · Lead Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma, 5S, and waste reduction initiatives across operations. · Facilitate continuous improvement projects from identification through to implementation and sustainability. · Establish CI tools, standards, and best practices throughout the organisation. · Coach managers and employees in problem-solving methodologies and continuous improvement techniques. · Drive root cause analysis activities for operational, quality, and process-related issues. · Promote a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement at all levels. Performance Improvement · Analyse operational data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. · Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) including OEE, productivity, downtime, waste, yield, and labour efficiency. · Support departments in achieving operational and financial performance targets. · Develop and track business improvement plans to ensure measurable results are achieved. Project Management · Lead cross-functional improvement projects and change initiatives. · Create project plans, monitor progress, and ensure delivery within agreed timelines. · Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Technical, Warehouse, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to implement improvements. · Ensure projects deliver sustainable operational and financial benefits. Process Standardisation · Review and optimise existing processes, procedures, and workflows. · Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practice documentation where required. · Support digitalisation and automation initiatives to improve operational efficiency. · Ensure process improvements are embedded, documented, and maintained. Stakeholder Engagement · Build strong working relationships across all departments. · Facilitate improvement workshops and team engagement activities. · Present project updates, performance reports, and improvement recommendations to senior management. · Champion employee involvement in identifying and implementing improvement opportunities. Budget & Cost Management · Identify cost-saving opportunities through efficiency improvements and waste reduction. · Support business cases for capital expenditure and improvement investments. · Measure and report financial benefits realised from improvement projects. Requirements Essential Experience · Minimum 3 years' experience in a Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Lean Manufacturing, or Process Improvement role within FMCG, food manufacturing, or a fast-paced manufacturing environment. · Proven track record of leading successful business improvement initiatives. · Experience facilitating Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies. · Strong project management and stakeholder management experience. · Demonstrable experience delivering measurable improvements in productivity, waste reduction, quality, and cost savings. Essential Knowledge & Skills · Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles. · Experience using problem-solving methodologies such as Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, Fishbone, PDCA, and DMAIC. · Excellent analytical and data interpretation skills. · Strong communication and presentation abilities. · Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. · Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Power BI. · Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Desirable Qualifications · Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt. · Continuous Improvement, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or Business-related degree. · Project Management qualification. · IOSH Managing Safely certification. Personal Attributes · Results-driven and proactive. · Strong leadership and coaching skills. · Excellent problem-solving abilities. · Highly organised with strong attention to detail. · Able to challenge existing practices constructively. · Passionate about driving positive change and operational excellence.