Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager

Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager

Location: East Midlands

Salary: Up to £60,000 + excellent benefits + significant career development

Contract: Full-time, Monday–Friday (hybrid and site-based flexibility offered)

About the Company

A well-established and highly respected manufacturer with a strong UK presence is seeking an experienced Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager to drive operational excellence across its high‑volume production environment. With ongoing investment in people, processes and capital equipment, this is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation committed to innovation, safety and sustainable growth.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the UK Managing Director and working in close partnership with the senior leadership team, you will lead the development, deployment and engineering governance of the company’s CI strategy. This is a visible, influential role requiring a confident CI professional who can coach, challenge and inspire multi-functional teams to deliver measurable improvements across productivity, quality, safety and cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation and continuous evolution of the CI roadmap aligned to business strategy and operational KPIs.
• Champion LEAN, Six Sigma and structured problem‑solving methodologies across all functions, embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
• Coach, mentor and performance‑manage teams to build CI capability, ensuring consistent adoption of best practice.
• Manage and deliver capital equipment projects and installations within a live manufacturing environment, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
• Oversee project governance, timelines, budgets and risk management, ensuring all improvement initiatives deliver expected outcomes.
• Ensure full compliance with PUWER, CDM, engineering governance and all HSQE standards.
• Analyse operational data to identify performance gaps, root causes and opportunities for optimisation.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to drive cross-functional improvements.
• Prepare and present clear, factual reports and recommendations to the UK MD and senior leadership team.
• Support the development of long-term operational capability, workforce engagement and continuous learning.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will bring a blend of technical expertise, leadership presence and a passion for developing people and processes.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ CI management experience within a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Manufacturing, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of LEAN Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or equivalent CI methodologies.
• Project management capability supported by PRINCE2, Agile, or similar frameworks.
• Proven experience delivering capital equipment projects and installations in a live production setting.
• Solid understanding of the converting process (or similar continuous manufacturing operations).
• Demonstrable experience driving CI culture change and coaching multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of PUWER, CDM, engineering governance and HSQE compliance.

Skills & Attributes

• Confident communicator with exceptional verbal and written presentation skills.
• Highly analytical, data-driven and solutions-focused.
• Credible, visible and engaging leadership style with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint and experience with MRP/ERP/WMS systems.
• Passionate about developing people, building capability and driving sustainable improvement.

 

Salary and Benefits

• Salary up to £60,000
• Attractive and comprehensive employee benefits package
• Hybrid working options (site-based and remote flexibility)
• Significant opportunities for professional development and career progression
• The chance to make a meaningful impact in a business committed to operational excellence and continuous improvement

 

NB Unfortunately this client does not hold an employment sponsorship licence.