Process Improvement Engineer

W Talent; Alfreton CP; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Company pension up to 7%

Free on-site parking

Company workwear

Job summary

W Talent is recruiting a Process Improvement Engineer for a leading Derbyshire manufacturing site. You will drive continuous improvement, analyse processes with SPC, and lead root-cause analysis across Production, Engineering, Maintenance and Quality teams.

The role focuses on reducing variation, delivering capital projects, and improving efficiency and product quality in a fast-paced, safety-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Five years' experience in a Process/Manufacturing Engineering role
• HND or equivalent in Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemistry or related discipline
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes in an industrial setting
• Experience using Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and structured problem-solving techniques
• Practical knowledge of SPC and data analysis
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies
• Strong analytical and IT skills, including Excel, PowerPoint and data analysis software
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver projects
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders across all levels of the business

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations
• Monitor and improve process performance using data analysis and SPC
• Lead structured problem-solving activities using RCA, Lean methodologies and DoE
• Support manufacturing teams with process optimisation and technical problem solving
• Develop and maintain process documentation and ensure compliance with quality standards
• Support capital investment projects, including equipment specification, commissioning and process validation
• Work collaboratively with Production, Engineering, Maintenance and Quality teams to improve operational performance
• Promote safe working practices and support Health, Safety and Environmental initiatives
• Plan and execute manufacturing process trials, analysing results and implementing improvements
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve quality and increase manufacturing efficiency

Skills

Data analysis

SPC

RCA

Lean

Excel

PowerPoint

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

HND or equivalent in Engineering/Process Engineering/Chemistry

Tools

Data analysis software

Excel & PowerPoint suite

Job description

Alfreton, Derbyshire | £50,000 + Bonus | Process Improvement Engineer

W Talent is working exclusively with a leading manufacturing business located in Ripley to recruit a Process Improvement Engineer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established international manufacturer, playing a key role in driving operational excellence, process optimisation and continuous improvement across a complex production environment.

Company Overview

Our client is a globally recognised manufacturer with a strong reputation for innovation, quality and operational excellence. Operating from a modern manufacturing facility in Derbyshire, the business supplies high-quality products to customers worldwide and continues to invest in both its people and manufacturing capabilities. This position offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact by leading process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, product quality and manufacturing performance.

The Role

As a Process Improvement Engineer, you will be responsible for improving manufacturing processes, reducing variation and supporting continuous improvement across the site. Working closely with Production, Engineering, Maintenance and Quality teams, you will identify opportunities to improve efficiency, solve technical challenges and support the successful delivery of improvement and capital investment projects.

This is a varied role that combines hands‑on engineering with data analysis, project management and cross‑functional collaboration, making it ideal for someone passionate about driving operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations
• Monitor and improve process performance using data analysis and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Lead structured problem‑solving activities using Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Lean methodologies and Design of Experiments (DoE)
• Support manufacturing teams with process optimisation and technical problem solving
• Develop and maintain process documentation and ensure compliance with quality standards
• Support capital investment projects, including equipment specification, commissioning and process validation
• Work collaboratively with Production, Engineering, Maintenance and Quality teams to improve operational performance
• Promote safe working practices and support Health, Safety and Environmental initiatives
• Plan and execute manufacturing process trials, analysing results and implementing improvements
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve quality and increase manufacturing efficiency

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of five years' experience within a Process Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering role
• HND or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemistry or a related discipline
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes within an industrial environment
• Experience using Root Cause Analysis and structured problem‑solving techniques
• Practical knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and data analysis
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies
• Strong analytical and IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and data analysis software
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver projects successfully
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders across all levels of the business

Salary & Benefits

This is a full‑time, Monday to Friday position based in Alfreton, Derbyshire, offering a salary of £50,000, alongside a performance bonus and an excellent benefits package. Employees benefit from 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, a company pension with matched contributions of up to 7%, free on‑site parking and company workwear. This is an excellent opportunity to join a business that continues to invest in both its people and manufacturing excellence while offering genuine long‑term career progression.