Continuous Improvement & Project Lead – Lean, Digitalisation

Wagstaff Recruitment; Middleton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Healthcare

Pension

Life Assurance

Holidays

Other benefits

Job summary

Wagstaff Recruitment are looking for an experienced Continuous Improvement & Project Manager to join a global manufacturing business in Middleton. The role offers autonomy, exposure to European Operational Excellence teams, and the opportunity to lead CI initiatives across the site.

You will drive Lean and Operational Excellence projects, support digitalisation and smart factory advances, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver measurable performance improvements.

Qualifications

• This role requires experience in a Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Lean Manufacturing, or Project Management role.
• Manufacturing experience within a process, chemical, FMCG, industrial, or high-volume production environment.
• Proven track record of delivering CI initiatives and operational improvement projects.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing tools such as Kaizen, 5S, Root Cause Analysis, VSM, and PDCA.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Exposure to digitalisation, automation, Industry 4.0, or smart factory programmes would be advantageous.
• Continuous Improvement, Lean, Engineering, Operations, or Project Management qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive a culture of Continuous Improvement across the manufacturing operation.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence initiatives to improve site performance.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, root cause analysis activities, and structured problem-solving projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and cost.
• Manage improvement projects from concept through to implementation and benefit realisation.
• Support digitalisation, automation, and smart factory developments across the site.
• Develop visual management tools, KPIs, and performance reporting systems.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Leadership teams.
• Drive sustainable change and ensure improvements become embedded within the business.
• Promote a positive Health, Safety, Quality, and Continuous Improvement culture.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Lean Manufacturing

Project Management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Data analysis

Communication skills

Job description

Wagstaff Recruitment are looking for an experienced Continuous Improvement & Project Manager to join a global manufacturing business in Middleton. The role offers autonomy, exposure to European Operational Excellence teams, and the opportunity to lead CI initiatives across the site.

You will drive Lean and Operational Excellence projects, support digitalisation and smart factory advances, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver measurable performance improvements.