Continuous Improvement & Project Manager – Middleton

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

Continuous Improvement & Project Manager

Middleton

Monday to Friday

£50,000+ DOE , Bonus, Healthcare, Pension, Life Assurance, Holidays, other benefits

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Continuous Improvement professional to join a global manufacturing business during an exciting period of investment and transformation. Working closely with site leadership and European Operational Excellence teams, you will be responsible for driving a culture of Continuous Improvement across the facility whilst leading projects focused on operational performance, digitalisation, automation, and smart manufacturing initiatives. This is a highly visible role with genuine autonomy, offering the opportunity to make a measurable impact on a key manufacturing site.

Role Description

• 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 and Qualifications

• 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.

Company Information

As a business, our client is a globally recognised manufacturer with a strong international footprint and continued investment across its operations. This role sits at the centre of a long‑term operational excellence strategy built around four key pillars: Stabilisation, Digitalisation & Automation, Continuous Improvement Culture, and Smart Factory Development. In return for your commitment, my client offers a stable and secure career with genuine opportunities for progression, development, and international exposure.

No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.

Job Tenure: 0

Salary: £49999 – £50000 per annum + 10% Bonus, Healthcare, Pension

Location: Middleton, Greater Manchester