Continuous Improvement Specialist

Job title:            Continuous Improvement Specialist

Reports to:       Operations Director

Job grade:        C

The successful candidate will:

• Responsible for the management, train out and development of the company’s Continuous Improvement program hereafter known as “World Class Manufacturing” and abbreviated to WCM.
• Promote the Company’s World Class Manufacturing culture through 121 coaching with staff as required. Enabling improvement activities through application of lean tools and techniques.
• Provide specialist facilitation to Top Level business projects. Using eight step, A3, PDCA or similar project management tools.
• Chair the WCM steering committee in conjunction with the Board of Directors.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvement, waste removal and improving cost awareness.
• Planning, facilitating, and executing continuous improvement events, using CI tools and techniques.
• Delivery of WCM inductions to all new starters and periodic refresher training to all existing staff.
• Teaching, leading, and coaching cross functional teams on CI tools and methodology.
• Project facilitator / cadence keeper.
• Establishing clear and well-articulated implementation plans
• Securing employee commitment for proactive change management.
• Attendance / consultation / facilitation of team WCM meetings.
• Company advocate of Continuous improvement.
• Continuous improvement / lean project pipeline co-ordinator.
• Promote Lionel Hitchen continuous improvement inside / outside the business (Onsite Insight, Best Factory Awards, etc)
• Sharing best practice internally and externally.
• Use of operational efficiency tools (SMED/OEE/TPM) to assist the manufacturing teams in reducing waste and improving productivity.
• Review and assess team WCM performance and progress.

• Oversight of the company’s employee reward and recognition program.

Essential criteria for this position are:

• Degree qualified or equivalent experience in a manufacturing discipline.
• Six sigma (Black belt) / Lean Coach / TPM / CI practitioner or similar qualified.
• Fully conversant in 5S, Kaizen, RCA, Gemba, and Value stream mapping.
• Proficient in Microsoft packages, including advanced skills with excel.
• Excellent Verbal and written communication skills.
• Food production / warehouse experience
• Proven experience in successfully coaching teams.
• Proven and quantified track record of problem solving and achieving stretch targets.
• Ethical and values driven.
• Collaborative decision maker with a hands-on approach to problem solving.

• Dynamic, proactive and confident with excellent interpersonal skills.

Desirable criteria for this position are:

• Working knowledge of Scope 1 and 2 sustainability initiatives.

• Experience of working in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• BRCGS (version 9) experience
• Knowledge of HACCP/TACCP food safety management systems
• Project management
• Continuous Improvement Manager certified.

• IOSH managing safely.

For a full job description please contact HR. If you have any questions about this role, contact Colin Scantlebury. The closing date for internal applications is: Friday 7^th November 2025.

Lionel Hitchen will always acknowledge your application, if you haven’t heard from us within 72 hours, there might be a problem in your application coming through our server. We haven’t ignored you, call reception on 01962 760815 to let us know that your application has been sent.

Please note that you must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for any of our positions.

Apply now