Continuous Improvement Lead

Servomex; Crowborough; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary Bonus

Growth & development through Talent Mg

Private Medical Insurance

Personal Pension Plan (up to 10.5%)

Employee Wellbeing Programme

25 days’ annual leave + bank holidays

Volunteering Days

Life Assurance (4x Salary)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Free Parking

Job summary

Servomex is seeking a Continuous Improvement Lead at our Crowborough UK Technical Centre to drive Lean-driven performance improvements across manufacturing. You will coach teams, deploy 5S and standardised work, and lead cross-functional Kaizen events to deliver measurable waste reduction and faster cycle times.

With a Lean Green Belt and strong problem-solving skills, you will influence leadership behaviours, embed daily management routines, and mentor SMEs to build sustainable capability on

Qualifications

• Experience implementing Lean in manufacturing or operations (production, quality, supply chain).
• Proven track record of measurable waste reduction, productivity and quality gains.
• Strong practical knowledge of Lean tools: SMED, VSM, Kanban, Poka-Yoke, Standardised Work.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and Kaizen events.
• Strong root cause analysis and data-driven problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Target and eliminate manufacturing waste to reduce scrap.
• Streamline production workflows to cut cycle times.
• Deploy Lean tools on production lines with 5S and standardized work.
• Lead Kaizen events and maintain a prioritised improvement funnel.
• Coach SMEs and build Lean capability across the site.
• Influence leadership behaviours to sustain continuous improvement.

Skills

Lean principles

Problem solving

Kaizen events

Stakeholder management

Mentoring SMEs

Education

Lean Green Belt

Tools

5S

Visual Management

Kanban

Poka-Yoke

SMED

Value Stream Mapping

Job description

At Servomex, our global mission is to enable change through advanced gas analysis and sensing solutions. Headquartered in Crowborough, our UK Technical Centre brings together multidisciplinary teams who collaborate to design and deliver next-generation solutions used in critical environments worldwide.

In this role, the Continuous Improvement Lead will play a key role in driving operational excellence across the manufacturing environment by identifying improvement opportunities, reducing waste and supporting the delivery of sustainable business improvements.

Working closely with production and cross-functional teams, the role will focus on the practical application of Lean methodologies to improve efficiency, quality, cost performance and operational effectiveness.

A key part of the role will be building Lean capability across the site, including coaching and developing Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) through hands‑on practice. The role will also support and influence leadership behaviours that strengthen daily management, Gemba routines and a culture of continuous improvement, helping to ensure that improvements are embedded and sustained.

• Location: Servomex UK Technical Centre, Crowborough, East Sussex, UK with flexibility for occasional global travel
• Salary: £60,000 to £70,000 - please see below for further information on salary and benefits

Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities

CVD (Core Value Driver) Performance

• Target and eliminate manufacturing waste to drive measurable scrap reduction.
• Streamline production workflows to achieve aggressive cycle time reduction goals.
• Analyse business processes to identify and execute initiatives.
• Partner with line operators to implement immediate, practical shop-floor fixes.

Shop Floor Tool Deployment

• Deploy practical Lean tools directly on the industrial manufacturing lines.
• Implement 5S, Visual Management, Kanban systems, and Standardized Work.
• Conduct regular Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to identify process bottlenecks.
• Design and implement Poka-Yoke (mistake-proofing) solutions to protect quality.

Facilitation & Problem Solving

• Lead and facilitate structured Kaizen events with cross-functional teams and maintain a live, prioritised Kaizen funnel linked to CVDs and value impact.
• Root-cause production issues using 5 Whys, Fishbone, and A3 methodologies.
• Drive quick-changeover initiatives using SMED techniques to reduce machine downtime.
• Track, analyse, and report key performance metrics directly to the Production Manager.

Mentoring, SME Development & Capability Building

• Build Lean capability across the site through practical coaching, mentoring and hands‑on support.
• Coach and develop Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) by working alongside them during live problem-solving, Lean events and improvement activities.
• Support frontline teams and internal champions to apply Lean tools confidently in their day-to-day work.
• Influence leadership behaviours that strengthen daily management, Gemba routines and sustained continuous improvement.
• Foster a culture where colleagues feel empowered to identify opportunities, solve problems and implement lasting improvements.

Essential Skills And Experience

• Experience implementing Lean methodologies within a manufacturing or operational environment, spanning production, quality, supply chain and procurement. Any additional experience deploying Lean outside operations – in R&D, commercial or enabling functions is valuable.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable improvements in waste reduction, productivity, quality and cost performance.
• Strong practical knowledge of Lean tools and methodologies, including SMED, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Kanban, Poka-Yoke and Standardised Work.
• Experience leading and facilitating continuous improvement initiatives, Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement activities.
• Strong root cause analysis, problem-solving and data analysis skills, with the ability to identify opportunities, implement solutions and measure outcomes.
• Experience coaching, training and influencing colleagues to adopt Lean principles and continuous improvement practices.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage colleagues at all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across production, engineering, quality and support functions.
• Practical, hands‑on approach, with the resilience and adaptability to deliver sustainable improvements in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Desirable Skills And Experience

• Knowledge and experience of Lean manufacturing techniques - implementing Lean projects.
• Experience in the facilitating of Lean events.

Essential Qualifications

• Lean Green Belt qualification, or equivalent experience applying Lean methodologies and continuous Improvement principles.

Salary: £60,000 to £70,000 per annum

The above salary range represents a general guideline. Servomex considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers, including the scope and responsibilities of the role, as well as the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and current market conditions.

Benefits Include

• Discretionary Company Bonus
• Opportunities for growth & development through our structured Talent Management System
• Annual Performance Review
• Private Medical Insurance
• Personal Pension Plan (up to 10.5% employer contribution)
• Employee Wellbeing Programme
• 25 days’ annual leave with option to buy more + Bank Holidays + Company Shutdown Day
• Two Volunteering Days
• Life Assurance (4 x Salary)
• Enhanced Family Friendly benefits & pay
• Staff Referral Scheme and Long Service Awards
• Global Recognition Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free Parking

Location & working pattern

This full time, permanent role is based at our Crowborough UK Technical & Service Centre. Monday to Friday - onsite (38 hour working week). Flexibility for occasional global travel will be required.

Our pledges

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a Mindful Employer, signatories of the Menopause Workplace Pledge and Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, and an endorsed employer for women through Work180. We are committed to fair, inclusive recruitment and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the hiring process.

Interview & Selection Process

We want you to feel confident that Servomex is the right place for you. Throughout the process, you’ll have plenty of chances to ask questions and get a real sense of who we are, what we do and what your future here could look like.

• Friendly chat with our Talent Team
• Teams video interview with the hiring team
• On‑site panel interview to meet the hiring team and other key people

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates with a disability may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any such adjustments during the application process. Please note we will also make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to enable employees to complete their roles to the best of their ability.