Process Improvement Practitioner

Next Careers; Wakefield; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retailer is looking for a Process Improvement Practitioner to enhance operational excellence. This role requires a curious and analytical individual to support process evaluations, gather data insights, and assist in improvement projects. Key skills include a strong interest in process improvement, excellent communication, and a willingness to learn programming tools like Python and SQL. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative team environment and help shape project outcomes through data-driven strategies.

Benefits

Head Office Bonus

Uniform Allowance

25% staff discount

Contributory pension scheme

Qualifications

• Strong interest in process improvement and the drive to seek better ways of working.
• Curious and self-motivated with a willingness to learn new tools and concepts.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support the evaluation of processes to identify waste and inefficiencies.
• Gather and interpret operational data to uncover trends and opportunities.
• Assist in delivering Lean or Six Sigma-based improvement projects.

Skills

Process improvement interest

Strong analytical mindset

Excellent communication skills

Adaptable and reliable

Tools

Python

Power BI

SQL

Job description

Description

Department : Productivity Support Department (PSD)

Location : Yorkshire (with the potential for some nationwide travel)

Grade : Grade 3

Salary : From 44000

Hours : 36 hours – Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00 / Fri 08:00–15:45

Other: Head Office Bonus / Uniform Allowance

Please note interviews for this role will take place W / C 12th January the advert closes on Thursday 8th January 2026.

About The Role

As a Process Improvement Practitioner youll play a key role in supporting NDLs mission to embed a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. Working alongside the Process Improvement Lead youll help identify inefficiencies support optimisation projects and explore opportunities for data-driven automated and AI-enabled solutions to business challenges.

This role is ideal for someone curious analytical and eager to learn. Youll work cross-functionally applying structured thinking and creativity to real operational challenges.

Key Responsibilities

Process Improvement & Analysis

• Support the mapping and evaluation of business processes to identify waste and inefficiency.
• Assist in time-and-motion studies root cause analysis and basic workflow assessments.
• Help visualise as-is and to-be processes to support redesign efforts.

Data & Insight Support

• Gather and interpret operational data to uncover trends and improvement opportunities.
• Support performance tracking using defined KPIs and metrics.
• Present insights clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Digital & Automation Exploration

• Work on tasks involving automation coding or AI guided by the team and your interests.
• Experiment with basic scripting automation platforms or AI tools to support efficiency.
• Contribute ideas on how emerging technology might be applied in practical scalable ways.

Project Delivery Support

• Assist in delivering Lean or Six Sigma-based improvement projects across departments.
• Organise and support workshops meetings and data-gathering sessions.
• Document findings and contribute to solution design and implementation planning.

Team Collaboration

• Engage with teams across warehousing logistics engineering and production.
• Build strong working relationships to understand challenges and propose improvements.

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Strong interest in process improvement with a desire to always seek better ways of working and a desire to continually challenge the status quo.
• Curious driven and self-motivated with a willingness to learn new tools concepts and ways of working.
• Analytical mindset with excellent attention to detail; comfortable working with data solving problems and thinking critically.
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Adaptable reliable and capable of managing your own time workload and priorities.
• Be willing to undertake formal training for qualifications in Work Measurement Method Study and Productivity (including 4 weeks training away in Manchester)

Desirable

• Experience working in a logistics environment particularly within warehousing or distribution
• Process Improvement Methodologies (e.g. Lean Six Sigma 5S)
• Proficiency in programming languages such (e.g Python R or SQL for data manipulation analysis and modelling).
• Process Mapping and / or Data Visualisation Tools (e.g Lucidchart Power BI Tableau or Matplotlib for presenting insights and findings).

Conclusion

This role is a key part of NDLs journey toward operational excellence and smarter tech-enabled ways of working. As a Process Improvement Practitioner youll help shape how we identify and solve problems using data structured thinking and emerging technologies to make a real impact.

Your curiosity drive to learn and ability to think critically will directly support improvements in efficiency quality and performance across our operations.

This is more than a support role its a development opportunity for someone eager to grow contribute ideas and help build the future of how we work at NDL.

About The Team

Were a department of 28 people and cover all NDL sites - youll join a close-knit collaborative team that values curiosity creativity and continuous learning. We share knowledge support each others development and work together to solve real operational problems. This is a great place to grow your skills and make a real difference.

Additional Information

• Uniform allowance of 450 per season
• 25% staff discount
• Up to 70% off at our staff shops
• Contributory pension scheme
• Head Office Bonus

Key Skills

Healthcare Attorney,Apache Tomcat,Commerce,Cost Estimation,Arabic

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1