Continuous Improvement Manager

The Collective Network; England; On-site; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Leicestershire is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to drive impactful initiatives in a fast-paced environment. You'll work directly with operations and leadership to implement Lean methodologies, coach teams, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. The successful candidate will have experience in manufacturing settings, particularly within food or FMCG sectors. A salary of £50,000 is on offer alongside a chance to shape the Continuous Improvement strategy.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Continuous Improvement or Lean within manufacturing.
• Experience in food, FMCG or high-volume environments preferred.
• Ability to influence without authority and simplify complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that stick.
• Embed Lean / CI tools in a practical, no-nonsense way.
• Coach and challenge teams to enhance performance.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement across the business.
• Interact with Ops, Engineering, and Site Leadership effectively.

Skills

Continuous Improvement experience

Lean methodologies

Hands-on and pragmatic approach

Stakeholder management

Coaching and mentoring teams

Job description

Continuous Improvement Manager

Leicestershire | £50,000

Let's be honest.

This isn't a clipboard-and-spreadsheets Continuous Improvement role. And it's not a "keep the lights on" kind of business either. This is a high-volume, fast-moving food manufacturing environment where improvement actually matters - because margins, efficiency and people all sit on the same production line. The business? A well-established, household-name food manufacturer with serious ambition. Privately owned. Proud of its heritage. But not stuck in it. They know they can be better. They want someone who knows how to make that happen.

Role

You'll be the person who turns good intentions into real, measurable change. Not sat in an ivory tower. Not just running workshops. You'll be on the floor, working with Ops, Engineering and Site Leadership to:

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that actually stick
• Embed Lean / CI tools in a practical, no-nonsense way
• Improve efficiency, waste reduction, flow and performance
• Coach and challenge teams - not dictate to them
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• Build a culture where improvement isn't a project… it's just how things are done

This is a role for someone who can influence without authority, simplify the complex, and bring people with them.

What They're Looking For

You don't need every badge going - but you do need credibility.

• Proven experience in Continuous Improvement / Lean within manufacturing
• Food, FMCG or high-volume environments will help
• Someone who's hands-on, pragmatic and commercially aware
• Comfortable dealing with senior stakeholders and shop‑floor teams alike
• A leader who improves processes and people

If you're the kind of CI professional who gets frustrated when businesses talk about change but don't back it - this one will interest you.

What's On Offer

• £50,000 salary
• A visible, influential role with genuine backing from leadership
• The chance to shape how CI is done across the site - not inherit a broken system
• Long‑term opportunity in a stable, growing business
• Based in Leicestershire

If you're ready to step into a role where continuous improvement actually means something, let's talk. This client is being kept confidential - details shared at first conversation.