Process Engineer

Arla Foods Limited; Leeds; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension contributions up to 6%

Life assurance

Job summary

Arla Foods Limited is seeking an LCO Specialist (Process Engineer) for our Stourton Dairy site in the UK. The role focuses on continuous improvement, manufacturing excellence, and data‑driven decision making to boost operational performance and sustainability.

You will work on CI projects, optimize OEE, and champion AI and digital solutions, collaborating with production teams to drive improvements on safety, quality and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• 3+ years in CI, Process Engineering or Manufacturing Excellence.
• Experience delivering process optimisation and line performance improvements.
• Lean, Six Sigma or similar CI methodologies.
• Experience with data technologies; Green Belt is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Deliver CI projects to improve safety, quality, cost, reliability and service.
• Analyse production processes to remove bottlenecks and improve capacity, OEE and energy efficiency.
• Leverage dashboards and data to identify opportunities and support operational excellence.
• Lead transition from manual to automated data capture and enable AI-enabled manufacturing.
• Lead packaging innovation and reduce defects and waste through data-driven solutions.

Skills

Data analytics

CI / Lean Six Sigma

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Power BI

Python

MES systems

Job description

LCO Specialist (Process Engineer) Mon‑Fri Days 37.5 hours

We are currently recruiting for a continuous improvement and manufacturing excellence specialist to work within our creamery department at Stourton Dairy, our most complex milk site in the UK. This role combines data analytics, digital innovation and stakeholder collaboration to drive operational performance, quality and sustainable growth.

How will you make an impact?

Reporting into the LCO Core Team Leader you will be responsible for delivering CI projects, optimising OEE, driving data‑led decisions and championing AI and digital solutions.

• Identify, develop and deliver step‑change improvements across safety, quality, cost, reliability, service, automation and digitalisation, driving sustainable business results.
• Analyze production processes, remove bottlenecks, and improve capacity utilisation, OEE, output, energy efficiency and overall line performance.
• Leverage process and machine data, dashboards and performance visualisation tools to identify opportunities, solve complex problems and support operational excellence.
• Lead the transition from manual to automated data capture, support predictive maintenance and AI‑enabled manufacturing initiatives, and enhance real‑time operational insights.
• Lead packaging innovation, reduce defects and waste, improve process capability and support environmentally sustainable manufacturing through data‑driven solutions.

What will you need to succeed?

You will hold a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Food, Industrial or a related discipline) and bring at least three years' experience in a Continuous Improvement, Process Engineering or Manufacturing Excellence role. You'll have a passion for learning, a proactive "can‑do" attitude, and proven success in delivering process optimisation, line performance improvements and structured problem solving using Lean, Six Sigma or similar CI methodologies. Experience within food manufacturing or FMCG environments is highly desirable, Green Belt Certification is a plus.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working closely with production teams on the shop floor and is comfortable analysing complex manufacturing systems, including production flow, bottlenecks, staffing, logistics and inventory models. You'll have experience leveraging digital technologies and data to drive improvements, with exposure to tools such as MES systems, Power BI, Python, automated systems or emerging manufacturing technologies. Strong communication, stakeholder management and cross‑functional collaboration skills are essential, along with a solid understanding of quality, food safety and compliance standards.

What can we offer?

We’re committed to supporting your growth and development, offering internal and external training opportunities. You’ll enjoy a competitive salary, 26 days of holiday plus bank holidays, matched pension contributions up to 6%, life assurance and flexible benefits.

Next steps

The closing date for applications is 17th July 2026.

Things We’d Love To Tell You About Our Stourton Site

• Our Stourton site takes in 2.2 million litres of milk daily.
• It produces around 660 million litres of the nation’s favourites per year from 16 automated filling lines.
• From Stourton we produce over 225 SKUs within 10 different product groups, such as Cravendale & BOB filtered milk, creams, alcohol cream and cottage cheese.
• The site has received c.£315 million in investment since 2004.