Continuous Improvement Lead

Givaudan; Ashford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Continuous Improvement Leader to drive transformative initiatives within their operations. This role focuses on designing and executing strategies that enhance efficiency and streamline processes, making a significant impact on the organization. You will work closely with site leadership to identify opportunities for improvement and implement best practices. With a strong emphasis on team collaboration and innovation, this position offers a unique chance to influence change and contribute to a culture of excellence. If you are passionate about driving operational success and fostering a continuous improvement mindset, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Private Health Insurance

Pension

Incentive Plan

Progressive Learning Opportunities

Qualifications

• 4-7 years of overall work experience with CI implementation.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams and projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and strategies.
• Track and manage CI project implementations and performance.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Project Management

Process Mapping

Team Leadership

EHS Guidelines

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Certification in Lean/Six Sigma

Tools

SAP

KPI Tools

TPM

Job description

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Join us and celebrate the beauty of human experience. Create for happier, healthier lives, with love for nature. Together, with kindness, humility, and a spirit of adventure, we deliver food innovations, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions. There’s much to learn from our 79 production sites worldwide, known for their best-in-class processes and procedures. There’s many to learn from, with high-performing leaders and caring colleagues to explore ideas and ambitions with. Every day, your energy, your personality, and your determination will shape our future, making a positive difference on billions of people. Every essence of you enriches our world. We are Givaudan. Human by nature.

Purpose

You will lead the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives within a small/medium site to embed best practices, reinforce a continuous improvement mindset and streamline non-value added activities.

You will report to the Head of Ashford Operations.

Core Responsibilities

1. Strategy design & execution
   • Contribute to the design of local Operations strategies, project selection and prioritisation by advising on the schedule and execution of key continuous improvement initiatives.
   • Elaborate the continuous improvement strategy for the assigned site-based on global Continuous Improvement Roadmap, and oversee the design and execution of related tactical and operational plans to meet local Operations objectives.
   • Define the local continuous improvement program and step change improvement opportunities in collaboration with site leadership, and challenge the local Operations organisation in identifying CI opportunities to define fundamental changes to the value stream.
   • Prioritise improvement areas, as well as related actions, and support site teams selecting best tools/methods from the CI toolbox to execute the improvement initiatives.
   • Define CI certification standards to be met with the Site Operations management and measure level of achievement.
   • Develop internal and external CI network to capture best practices and eventually recommend and deploy these.
   • Support implementation of focus improvement initiatives in other sites when requested.
2. Project Management
   • Track implementation progress of approved CI projects, monitoring resource plans, project team accountabilities, change requests, deadlines, milestones.
   • Coach project managers and teams on applying Lean and Six Sigma concepts and tools during solution design and project execution phases.
3. Change management and Capability building
   • Advise site CI and Project Managers in developing change management roadmaps.
   • Influence local Operations management to participate in the change journey and negotiate resources and capabilities needs.
   • Challenge existing processes/practices and coach project teams to develop solutions and initiate change.
   • Assess local capability gaps and develop and implement solutions with the Site Operations management to close these, e.g. trainings, resource changes, etc.
4. Performance Management
   • Implement Operational Improvement Plans (OIP) for the site and cascade its KPIs.
   • Contribute to the annual human resources processes by providing feedback to line managers regarding performance of project team members.
   • Work with the respective line managers and HR Business Partner(s) in developing project management capabilities in the Engineering function.
   • Contribute to the development and promotion of functional talents within and outside the Continuous Improvement function.

Professional Experience

Overall work experience of 4 to 7 years including at least 1 year in a CI implementation role.

1 to 2 years of experience in people management.

Exposure to cross-functional teams and projects.

Training experience with operators, shift leaders and departmental managers.

Technical Skills

Knowledge of product processing and industrialization processes.

Good command in project management using TPM, KPI, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, OIP and project controlling tools.

Good command in process mapping and design.

Knowledge of value chain diagnostics tools.

Willing to challenge status quo & look for more engaging ways to meet key process/our goals.

Knowledge of EHS rules and guidelines.

Knowledge of financial concepts (e.g. OPEX, CAPEX) and tools (e.g. SAP).

Attractive package with benefits (Private Health Insurance, Pension, Incentive Plan, etc.)

Excellent opportunities for progressive learning and development.

At Givaudan, you contribute to delightful taste and scent experiences that touch people’s lives. You work within an inspiring teamwork culture – where you can thrive, collaborate and learn from other talented and passionate people across disciplines, regions and divisions. Every essence of you enriches our world. Diversity drives innovation and creates closer connections with our employees, customers and partners. Givaudan embraces diversity and is committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone impacts our world.