Continuous Improvement Lead

Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing Limited; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Goal Share bonus program

Paid volunteering time

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Employee discounts

Learning and development

Employee referral program

Up to 29 days' annual leave, plus Bank

Job summary

Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing Limited seeks two Continuous Improvement Leads for Bishop's Cleeve and Staverton in Gloucestershire. You will own site-wide CI roadmaps, lead improvement projects and hands-on workshops, and work across Production, Engineering and Quality to deliver measurable efficiency gains and safer, more reliable manufacturing.

You will champion Lean principles, use data-driven problem solving, and coach colleagues to sustain improvements across facilities.

Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven leadership of continuous improvement projects.
• Experience in aerospace or regulated manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver a site-wide CI roadmap and projects from scoping to implementation.
• Lead practical CI workshops and Kaizen events to reduce waste and improve processes.
• Develop model production lines and improve factory layouts and flow.
• Coach leaders to embed Lean principles and a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Lean & Kaizen

A3 problem solving

Root cause analysis

Production layout optimization

Value stream mapping

Visual management

Job description

Continuous Improvement Lead Bishop's Cleeve & Staverton, Gloucestershire, UK | 2 Positions – 1 at Each Site

About Ontic Staverton

Our Staverton site in Gloucestershire specialises in mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic aerospace products, manufacturing and supporting critical components including thrust reverser actuation systems, valves, manifolds, pumps, reservoirs and landing gear harnesses. It's an environment built around technical expertise, problem solving and precision. The products our teams work on perform critical functions across civil and military aircraft, making quality and reliability fundamental to everything we do. Join Staverton and you'll be part of a team that's continuing to grow, taking on new challenges and using its expertise to help keep established aircraft platforms flying for the long term.

About Ontic Bishops Cleeve

Our Bishops Cleeve site in Cheltenham is home to teams working predominantly on electronic and electro‑mechanical aerospace products, including fuel measurement systems, sensors, emergency oxygen systems, engine and environmental controls and airborne radar technology. It's highly specialised work, supported by capabilities including clean‑room, aviation fuel and extreme‑temperature testing. Our people combine technical expertise with the precision and quality aerospace demands. Join the team and you'll be part of a welcoming, collaborative site where people take pride in what they do, support one another and play their part in keeping aircraft flying safely and reliably around the world.

The opportunity

We're looking for two Continuous Improvement Leads to join Ontic, with one opportunity at our Bishop's Cleeve site and another at Staverton. Both roles offer the chance to take ownership of meaningful improvements across manufacturing operations, helping our teams work more efficiently while strengthening safety, quality, delivery and performance. This is a hands‑on opportunity where you'll work closely with colleagues across Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and other site functions to turn improvement ideas into practical, lasting results. You'll lead projects, challenge established ways of working and help create better processes that make a measurable difference. Reporting to the Operations Director at your respective site, you'll also play an important role in strengthening how your site manages performance, solves problems and builds a culture of continuous improvement. It's an opportunity to bring your expertise, influence positive change and help our teams deliver the quality and reliability that keep aircraft flying.

What you'll be doing

Own and deliver a site‑wide continuous improvement roadmap, identifying and prioritising opportunities that support business objectives and improve operational performance. Lead improvement projects from initial scoping through to implementation, working with teams to remove barriers, maintain momentum and deliver measurable, sustainable results. Bring colleagues together through practical improvement workshops, including Kaizen events, using Lean techniques to reduce waste, improve processes and create more efficient ways of working. Use operational data and structured problem‑solving techniques to identify recurring issues, understand root causes and implement effective corrective actions. Help strengthen daily and weekly performance management routines, improving visibility of results, accountability and follow‑through on improvement actions. Develop model production lines and improve factory layouts, material flow and production processes, introducing single‑piece flow where appropriate to improve throughput, lead times and quality. Coach and engage colleagues and leaders across different functions, building confidence in Lean principles, encouraging collaboration and helping continuous improvement become part of everyday working.

What you'll bring

Proven experience leading and delivering measurable continuous improvement projects within an engineering or manufacturing environment. A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt qualification or equivalent demonstrable practical experience applying Lean and continuous improvement methods. Strong practical knowledge of Lean techniques, including Kaizen, value stream mapping, A3 problem‑solving and root cause analysis, with the ability to turn findings into real improvements on the shop floor. Hands‑on experience improving factory material flow, developing production lines or cells and implementing flow‑based production processes. Experience supporting or improving operational performance management routines, including visual controls, performance measures, accountability and issue escalation. The ability to manage multiple projects, interpret performance data and work effectively with colleagues at all levels, combining clear communication, constructive challenge and a collaborative approach.

Desirable:

Experience in aerospace or another highly regulated manufacturing environment, facilitating 3P improvement events, or holding a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent advanced Lean training or experience.

Why Ontic?

At Ontic, we're specialists in keeping critical aircraft flying. Our work supports civil and military aviation around the world, giving established aircraft products the long‑term support they need to remain safe, reliable and available. But it's our people who make that possible. We're a growing, global team where you're trusted to take ownership, encouraged to challenge how things have always been done and supported to develop your career as our business grows. We believe in embracing the challenge - working together to solve complex problems and create opportunities for our customers, our business and each other.

Benefits at Ontic

• Goal Share bonus program - everyone at Ontic is automatically enrolled, giving us all the opportunity to share in our success
• Paid volunteering time - giving you time to support a cause or community that matters to you 24/7 wellbeing support - confidential support available through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee discounts - access to discounts and offers across a range of retailers and services
• Learning and development - opportunities to build your skills, develop your career and grow with Ontic
• Employee referral program - rewarding you for introducing great people to Team Ontic
• Up to 29 days' annual leave, plus Bank Holidays

We are a fast‑paced business with ambitious growth plans; so if you are dedicated, enthusiastic and always seeking ways to improve, you'll enjoy a career with us! Ontic is a leading manufacturer to the world’s civil and military aircraft. By becoming the OEM to critical parts others originally developed, we provide continuity, availability and longevity to our customers’ fleets, supporting them for a lifetime of flight. Through our in‑house manufacturing and engineering, MRO, spares, and AOG support, we ensure certified, safety‑critical components remain available, compliant, and reliable across the full operational life of the aircraft we support. We use our expertise and experience to reduce supply chain risk, improve production outputs and deliver for our customers, so they can keep their aircraft flying now and in the future.