Engineering Improvement Specialist

Arla Foods Limited; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy manufacturer located in Leeds is looking for an Engineering Improvement Specialist to drive reliability and continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will lead practical implementations of CI actions, resolve chronic equipment failures, and support teams on the production floor. The role offers a competitive salary, employer pension matching, and opportunities for career development. If you are ready to contribute to a sustainable future in dairy, apply now.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Employer pension matched up to 6%

X4 annual salary life assurance cover

Flexible Benefits

Strong career development & training

Qualifications

• Proven background in maintenance, CI, or engineering support.
• Experience diagnosing chronic issues and leading improvements.
• Exposure to operator‑led maintenance programs desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the practical implementation of CI actions.
• Own and resolve chronic equipment failures.
• Provide technical support to maintenance and operations teams.
• Collaborate with operators to strengthen routines.
• Support the Reliability Engineer with data analysis.

Skills

Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability

Hands‑on, action‑focused approach

Ability to communicate technical detail simply

Collaborative, proactive mindset

Working knowledge of reliability tools

Education

HNC in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Training in RCA or CI tools

Job description

Engineering Improvement Specialist

Monday-Friday, days based role.

Do you want to be at the heart of driving reliability and continuous improvement in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment?

“You’ll play a key role in strengthening our asset care routines, solving chronic equipment issues, and supporting the development of reliability engineering across the site,”

How you will make an impact

In this role, you’ll combine hands‑on technical expertise with structured problem‑solving to improve equipment reliability and support our operations teams. You’ll be central to embedding continuous improvement and developing operator asset care routines.

• Lead the practical implementation of CI actions and reliability improvements.
• Own and resolve chronic equipment failures through structured RCA / BDA methodologies.
• Provide technical support and guidance to maintenance and operations teams.
• Collaborate with operators to strengthen asset care routines and skills.
• Support the Reliability Engineer with data analysis, predictive technologies, and improvement roadmaps.

What will make you successful

We’re looking for someone with strong technical skills, a proactive mindset, and the ability to translate data into practical solutions.

Education & Qualifications

• HNC (preferred) in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline.
• Preferred Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, CI training, or recognised best practice methodologies (TPM, SMED, OAC, RCM, FMECA).
• Training in RCA or CI tools advantageous.

Experience

• Proven background in maintenance, CI, or engineering support within manufacturing / industrial environments.
• Experience diagnosing chronic issues and leading sustainable technical improvements.
• Exposure to operator‑led maintenance programs (OAC) highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability with practical application skills.
• Hands‑on, action‑focused approach—comfortable working on equipment and the production floor.
• Ability to communicate technical detail simply and effectively.
• Collaborative, proactive mindset with strong ownership of tasks and issues.
• Working knowledge of reliability tools (RCA, FMEA, RCM) beneficial.

What do we offer?

At Arla, you’ll join a collaborative team where continuous improvement and professional development are part of our DNA. We’re committed to helping you grow toward Reliability Engineer competencies while contributing to a sustainable future of dairy.

• Competitive salary
• Employer pension matched up to 6%
• X4 annual salary life assurance cover
• Flexible Benefits- buy additional days annual leave, reward gateway scheme- discounts with various retailers via my benefit platform.
• Strong career development & training (internal and external training)

You’ll be part of a market leader producing household‑favourite brands, working in an environment that values innovation, safety, and teamwork.

Would you like to join us?

If you’re ready to take on this exciting opportunity, please apply as soon as possible. We process applications on a continuous basis and will close recruitment once the right candidate is found.

For additional information, please contact Chris Wakefield in the Talent team