Continuous Improvement Manager

Shepley Spring Ltd.; Harrogate; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Shepley Spring Ltd. in Harrogate is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager (Operations) to lead site-wide CI initiatives across production and engineering.

You will design and embed SOPs, drive Lean activities and improve OEE, safety and quality, while coaching frontline teams on problem-solving on the shop floor. Reporting to the Site Operations Manager, you will develop roadmaps, standardise training, and implement waste-reducing projects, delivering measurable performance improvements

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, manufacturing or related field.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• Experience in FMCG/manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead CI initiatives across production and operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve OEE and reduce downtime.
• Facilitate Lean activities including 5S, Kaizen and Standard Work.
• Drive root-cause analysis with structured problem-solving.
• Develop and maintain CI roadmaps aligned to site objectives.
• Support implementation of best practice across shifts and departments.
• Audit SOPs and ensure adherence with corrective actions.
• Promote safety, quality and regulatory compliance in CI activities.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Problem solving

Shop-floor leadership

Data analysis

Training & coaching

Communication

Education

Degree in Manufacturing/Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Production reporting systems

Job description

JOB ROLE: Continuous Improvement Manager (Operations)
JOB LOCATION: Harrogate
REPORTING TO: Site Operations Manager / Operations Director

Shepley Spring are the UK’s leading bottled water manufacturer with over 20 years’ experience in production and are proud to remain a family run business to this day.

The company operates in three manufacturing facilities in West Yorkshire and owns several high-speed production lines with the capabilities of producing both still and sparkling water servicing leading retailers such as Morrisons, Costco, Booker Tesco and Iceland through both private label and own brand producing the brands Ice Valley® and White Rock® exclusively.

Summary:

As Continuous Improvement (CI) Improvement Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence across our newest manufacturing site.

Working closely with the Site Operations Manager and Production leadership team, you will be responsible for developing, implementing and embedding standardised operating procedures (SOPs), improving production processes, eliminating waste, and creating consistency across all operational activities.

A major focus of the role will be establishing robust standards for production, ensuring all colleagues are trained consistently, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement throughout the operation.

This is a highly visible role requiring a proactive individual who enjoys working on the shop floor, engaging with teams and delivering sustainable operational improvements that improve safety, quality, productivity and efficiency.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Lead Continuous Improvement initiatives across production and operational departments.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Facilitate Lean Manufacturing activities including 5S, Kaizen, Visual Management and Standard Work.
• Drive root cause analysis using structured problem-solving tools.
• Develop and maintain Continuous Improvement roadmaps aligned to site objectives.
• Support the implementation of best practice across shifts and departments.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):

• Review existing operating procedures and identify opportunities for standardisation.
• Develop, document and implement clear, practical SOPs for all key production processes.
• Ensure documentation is controlled, accessible and regularly reviewed.
• Work with production teams to ensure procedures reflect operational best practice.
• Audit adherence to SOPs and implement corrective actions where required.

Training & Capability Development:

• Design and implement a structured onboarding programme for production employees.
• Standardise training processes across all production departments.
• Develop skills matrices and competency assessments.
• Support supervisors and team leaders in coaching and developing operators.
• Ensure training records remain accurate and compliant.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

Production Process Improvement:

• Analyse production performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Work with production, engineering and quality teams to remove operational bottlenecks.
• Improve workflow, material movement and production layouts where appropriate.
• Support new equipment introductions and process changes.
• Reduce downtime through improved process control and operational discipline.

Operational Excellence:

• Promote consistent ways of working across all shifts.
• Monitor operational KPIs and recommend actions to improve performance.
• Drive improvements in labour efficiency, yield, waste reduction and line performance.
• Support cross-functional improvement projects.
• Benchmark performance and implement industry best practice.

Quality, Food Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure all improvement activities support BRCGS, HACCP and customer standards.
• Work closely with the Quality team to improve process capability and product consistency.
• Promote Right First Time manufacturing principles.
• Support internal and external audits through robust process documentation.

Health, Safety & Environment:

• Champion safe systems of work throughout all improvement activities.
• Ensure SOPs incorporate all relevant Health & Safety requirements.
• Promote behavioural safety and operator engagement.
• Support environmental improvement initiatives and waste reduction projects.

Key Performance Indicators:

Success within the role will be measured through:

• Improved OEE across production lines.
• Reduction in downtime and changeover times.
• Reduction in manufacturing waste and product losses.
• SOP completion and compliance rates.
• New starter competency achievement.
• Training completion and skills matrix coverage.
• Reduction in process variation.
• Successful delivery of Continuous Improvement projects.
• Improved audit compliance.
• Employee engagement with CI initiatives.
• Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent experience in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management or related discipline.
• Proven experience within FMCG manufacturing (Food & Beverage experience preferred).
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing methodologies.
• Experience implementing SOPs and operational standards.
• Experience developing training programmes and competency frameworks.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and coaching ability.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the business.
• Hands‑on approach with a strong shop‑floor presence.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and production reporting systems.
• Experience of Lean, Six Sigma or equivalent CI methodologies would be advantageous.

Mission Statement:

As a family-owned company, our priority the health of our team members, our communities and our environment.

Shepley Spring is committed to responsible resource usage and integrating sustainability into every aspect of our business.

We have an obligation to not only drive aquifer preservation and sustainable withdrawals, energy efficiency, renewable energy generation and waste reduction, but also to continuously innovate to reduce our carbon footprint.

We firmly believe in continuing to grow and improving in each of these areas to make Shepley Spring the best water supplier, community partner and employer that we can be.