Process Engineer: CI & OEE Improvement Specialist

Kinnerton Confectionery; Fakenham; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paycare healthcare cash plan

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension & life assurance plan

Salary sacrifice schemes

Job summary

Kinnerton Confectionery in Fakenham, Norfolk, is seeking a hands-on Process Engineer to lead continuous improvements across equipment reliability, process performance and product quality. This role emphasizes data-driven decisions, CI projects and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Operations and Quality.

The successful candidate will drive TPM/PPM, perform RCA, analyse performance data and support new product introductions while maintaining high safety and food safety standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, or continuous improvement roles.
• Demonstrable track record of improving equipment performance, reducing downtime, or delivering measurable CI outcomes.
• Strong capability in root cause analysis (RCA) and data-led problem solving.
• Data-driven mindset with experience using tools such as Excel, Power BI, QAD or SAP.
• Experience working with equipment reliability, performance optimisation, and preventative maintenance strategies (PPM).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
• High attention to detail with a proactive, improvement-focused approach.
• Good understanding of health & safety and food safety standards (IOSH or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Spearhead and deliver continuous improvement (CI) projects to improve OEE, reduce downtime, and optimise performance.
• Drive equipment reliability strategies, including improved preventative maintenance (PPM) and asset performance.
• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) and implement long-term corrective actions.
• Analyse performance data to identify trends, losses, and efficiency opportunities.
• Support process development, trials, and new product introduction (NPI).
• Improve maintenance and operational standards through TPM, standardisation, and training.
• Work cross-functional with Engineering, Operations, and Quality to deliver measurable improvements.

Skills

Process engineering

Root Cause Analysis

Data analysis

OEE optimization

PPM maintenance

Cross-functional

Safety standards

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Engineering qualification (HNC/HND) or apprenticeship

Tools

Excel

Power BI

QAD

SAP

Job description

Kinnerton Confectionery in Fakenham, Norfolk, is seeking a hands-on Process Engineer to lead continuous improvements across equipment reliability, process performance and product quality. This role emphasizes data-driven decisions, CI projects and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Operations and Quality.

The successful candidate will drive TPM/PPM, perform RCA, analyse performance data and support new product introductions while maintaining high safety and food safety standards.