Continuous Improvement Engineer

Fox's Burton's Companies; Batley; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

FBC UK Batley is looking for a proactive Continuous Improvement Engineer to join our manufacturing site. You will lead site-wide improvement projects focused on efficiency, cost reduction, asset performance and a culture of operational excellence.

You will work across Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Operations to manage initiatives from concept to implementation, optimise machine settings and deliver sustainable savings through structured problem solving and data-driven

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and DMAIC problem solving.
• Proven experience delivering Continuous Improvement projects with measurable outcomes (productivity, OEE, waste, cost).
• Hands-on understanding of manufacturing equipment and processes with data-driven improvement approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional CI projects across the site to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Drive TPM, Autonomous Maintenance, SMED and changeover optimisation to boost equipment utilisation.
• Analyse data to identify losses and opportunities; present insights to stakeholders.
• Coach teams to embed new standards and ways of working for sustained gains.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

DMAIC

Root Cause Analysis

TPM

Autonomous Maintenance

SMED

Project Management

Data Analysis

Education

HNC-qualified engineer

Graduate-calibre engineer

Job description

We are FBC UK, Fox's Burton's Companies! ……And we bake the UK's most incredible biscuits (we might be slightly biased, but we will leave that for you to judge).

FBC UK was a match made in heaven, with two of the top UK biscuits manufacturers (Burton's Biscuits and Fox's Biscuits) coming together to create one unique, integrated company.

We are home to famous iconic brands, including Maryland, Fox's, Jammie Dodger & Rocky, to name just a few. We are proud manufacturing partners to some of the biggest UK retailers and household names. We bake our incredible biscuits at eight bakeries across the UK, located at Isle of Arran, Livingston, Blackpool, Llantarnam, Edinburgh, Kirkham, Batley & Dorset and our HQ in St Pauls. Together, we employ circa 4,000 amazing colleagues across all our locations.

Whilst we know that we have delicious products we also know that that the key ingredient to our success is our people, and the passion we have for our brands. You could be the jammy to our dodger, party ring to our Fox’s or the choc-chip to our Maryland?! We knead people with innovative ideas, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the commitment to drive FBC UK to success.

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that feels empowered to build a fulfilling and successful career. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) we create a supportive environment for people to thrive and strive to have more positive impact.

We understand that having formal and on-the-job learning opportunities is key to our colleagues’ professional and personal growth. We are committed to providing an environment where everyone can learn from each other and grow through a variety of learning experiences.

Our colleagues make our business special. With strong community values, we believe FBC UK is a more prosperous and fun place to work when people feel free to be themselves. We believe in the power of being authentic, entrepreneurial and supporting each other whilst meeting our business goals.

About the Role

We are looking for a proactive and driven Continuous Improvement Engineer to join our Batley manufacturing site. Working as part of a dedicated team of three Continuous Improvement Engineers, you will lead site-wide improvement projects focused on driving efficiency, reducing costs, improving asset performance, and embedding a culture of operational excellence.

This is a highly visible role that sits at the forefront of change management within the factory. You will combine project management, engineering expertise, and continuous improvement methodologies to identify opportunities, solve complex operational challenges, and implement sustainable solutions that deliver measurable business benefits.

Working cross-functionally with Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations teams, you will be responsible for leading improvement initiatives from concept through to implementation, ensuring new standards, processes, and ways of working are successfully embedded and sustained. The role requires a strong understanding of manufacturing equipment and processes, particularly across electrical and mechanical systems, alongside a passion for driving performance through data, people engagement, and structured problem solving.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver continuous improvement projects across manufacturing operations, driving measurable improvements in efficiency, productivity, quality, waste reduction, and cost performance.


• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing line performance and implement step-change improvements across OEE, material giveaway, downtime, and operational losses.


• Manage improvement projects through structured methodologies such as DMAIC, ensuring projects remain on track, deliver agreed outcomes, and achieve sustainable results.


• Facilitate Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities to identify underlying issues and implement robust, long-term corrective actions.


• Develop and embed sustainable operational improvements and "1000-day fixes" that prevent recurring losses and improve reliability.


• Drive the implementation and ongoing development of TPM and Autonomous Maintenance (AM) programmes across the site.


• Lead SMED and changeover optimisation activities to improve equipment utilisation, flexibility, and manufacturing efficiency.


• Analyse manufacturing data to identify trends, losses, and performance improvement opportunities, presenting insights in a clear and engaging manner to stakeholders at all levels.


• Work closely with Engineering and Production teams to optimise machine settings, centreline standards, and process controls.


• Support factory cost transformation initiatives, identifying and delivering sustainable savings across labour, materials, utilities, maintenance, and asset performance.


• Support CAPEX projects from business case development through implementation and handover, ensuring projects deliver expected operational and financial benefits.


• Drive the deployment of new manufacturing standards, procedures, and best practices across the site.


• Engage, coach, and influence operational teams to build continuous improvement capability and create a culture of ownership and accountability.


• Ensure all improvement activities align with site Operational Excellence standards, governance processes, and business objectives.

Who we are looking for

• Engineering Apprentice-trained, HNC-qualified, or Graduate-calibre engineer with a minimum of two years' experience within a manufacturing environment.


• Proven experience delivering Continuous Improvement projects that have generated measurable improvements in productivity, OEE, waste reduction, giveaway, quality, or cost.


• Strong knowledge and practical application of Lean Manufacturing, DMAIC, Root Cause Analysis, TPM, Autonomous Maintenance, and SMED methodologies.


• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional project teams and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.


• Strong engineering understanding with hands‑on experience of manufacturing equipment and processes.


• Ability to interpret and work with HMIs, electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, machine settings, and centreline management principles.


• Experience implementing sustainable operational improvements and driving behavioural change within manufacturing teams.


• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to transform complex data into actionable insights and business recommendations.


• Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.


• Commercially aware with experience identifying and delivering cost‑saving opportunities and operational efficiencies.


• Effective communicator with strong presentation, coaching, and facilitation skills.


• Self‑motivated, resilient, and results‑focused, with a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.


• Comfortable working on the factory floor, engaging directly with teams, and taking a hands‑on approach to problem solving and implementation.

Diversity Statement

FBC UK is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at FBC UK. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.
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