Continuous Improvement Leader

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12.5% bonus

Pension – 12% employer, 6% employee

Holidays – 28 days + public holidays

Private Medical Insurance – BUPA

Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay

£250 home office setup payment

Flexible/hybrid working

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited is seeking a Continuous Improvement Leader to drive supplier readiness and capability across our Derby, Manchester or Warrington offices. This hybrid role focuses on improving manufacturing processes, delivering CI projects and creating frameworks for future production needs.

You will work in a regulated environment, coordinating training and implementation of improvement plans to boost cost, quality and schedule performance across supplier networks.

Qualifications

• Manufacturing Continuous Improvement experience
• Lean / Six Sigma qualification
• Proven delivery of Continuous improvement projects
• Manufacturing background
• Experience working within regulated industries

Responsibilities

• Work directly with suppliers to improve manufacturing processes and assess supplier readiness and maturity
• Develop supplier continuous improvement capability
• Create frameworks and readiness programmes for future production requirements
• Deliver supplier training and improvement plans and frameworks
• Build future capability for cost, quality and schedule improvements

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Lean Six Sigma

Supplier readiness

Regulated industries

Manufacturing experience

Job description

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we’re tackling the energy challenge head on by building the next generation of clean energy. We're developing innovative small modular reactors, making clean energy more accessible while creating a UK success story with the potential to transform energy systems around the world. The appointment of a Continuous Improvement Leader will be a pivotal role at Rolls Royce SMR to improve supplier readiness and capability and will ensure suppliers can deliver quality products on time and at the required standard.

You will be reporting to our Continous Improvement Manager and your role will look like:

• Work directly with suppliers to improve manufacturing processes and assess supplier readiness and maturity
• Develop supplier continuous improvement capability
• Create frameworks and readiness programmes for future production requirements
• Deliver supplier training and improvement plans and frameworks
• Build future capability for cost, quality and schedule improvements

We seek an inspiring and tenacious individual who will have had exposure in regulated or highly regulated manufacturing environments (as you would expect nuclear "know-how" will be of great interest to us, whilst those from defence, aerospace and manufacturing sectors may all have transferable capability). We will need your application to showcase your experience and knowledge in the following areas:

• Manufacturing Continuous Improvement experience
• Lean / Six Sigma qualification
• Proven delivery of Continuous improvement projects
• Manufacturing background
• Experience working within regulated industries

Location & Ways of Working

This role can be based from our Derby, Manchester or Warrington office. Hybrid working is standard, with regular supplier travel required. Some international travel may also be required depending on supplier activity.

In return we offer:

• A salary between £53,800 and £66,500 depending on experience
• 12.5% performance related bonus
• A benefits allowance of £2,200 to build a personalised package
• Pension – 12% employer, 6% employee
• Holidays – 28 days + public holidays (option to buy/sell up to 4 days)
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA
• Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
• £250 one-off home office setup payment

You’ll join a forward-thinking, inclusive and innovative organisation offering:

• A flexible and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation and continuous learning.

Pay Range: £50,600.00 - £66,465.00

Why Join Us?

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

We are Rolls-Royce SMR A career with Rolls-Royce SMR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission.

Rolls-Royce SMR is a radically different approach to proven nuclear technology.

Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will generate 470MW of low-carbon energy - equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes for over 60 years.

With its Rolls-Royce SMRs will play a vital role in supporting renewable energy by helping to overcome intermittency and ensure a stable, sustainable energy future.

We’re proud to be one of the few employers that can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation. Our people are here because of what makes them exceptional - and our role is to help them make the most meaningful contribution of their careers, doing work they love. We offer opportunities that go beyond traditional career paths. At Rolls-Royce SMR you can develop your career by exploring roles and challenges that align with your unique talents.

Our culture

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures.

Join us and help shape our culture.

Find out more about our inclusion pledge.

Rolls-Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day and help shape our culture.

Why join us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone can thrive.

What we offer

At Rolls-Royce SMR, our reward offering is focused on recognising you for your efforts and motivate you to continue achieving. Our rewards and benefits scheme are designed for employees to have complete control. By providing complete autonomy, you can focus on what’s important to you. Whether it’s investments, insurances or wellbeing, it’s in your hands.

Work is an activity, not a place. We understand due to commitments and lifestyle; the world of work has evolved beyond the 9 - 5. Whether its varied hours or hybrid working, our flexible working arrangements make it possible for employees to achieve a true work life balance.

Your career journey

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you to grow. We have open dialogue with our employees to understand the ambitions for their career and set plans to achieve them. Whether it’s helping you obtain formal qualifications or pairing you with a mentor, Rolls-Royce SMR will provide you with a fulfilling career.

The Team | Rolls-Royce SMR

We're always on the lookout for the best talent.