Trainee Lean Practitioner

Polypipe Building Services; Tonbridge and Malling; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary starting £30k per annum

25 days holiday entitlement

Pension scheme matched up to 8%

Life assurance

Sharesave scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Free flu vouchers

On-site occupational health services

Staff discount Genuit Group products

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Polypipe Building Services is seeking a Trainee Lean Practitioner to join our team. You will support the rollout of the Genuit Business System across the site, applying lean methodologies to cut waste and improve performance across manufacturing, warehousing and support functions.

This entry-level role provides hands-on experience in continuous improvement, learning Kaizen, visual management and problem solving, with excellent development opportunities and a competitive starting salary.

Qualifications

• Interest in continuous improvement and development.
• Attention to detail and proactive learning mindset.
• Willingness to learn lean tools and problem-solving techniques.

Responsibilities

• Support continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing, warehousing and support functions.
• Plan, facilitate, and lead Kaizen workshops and improvement events.
• Support rollout and embedding of the Genuit Business System (GBS) across the site.
• Monitor and report on CI activities and sustain benefits.
• Develop visual management, standard work and performance metrics.

Skills

Lean tools

5S

Kaizen

Value Stream Mapping

Standard Work

Visual Management

Root Cause Analysis

Problem Solving

Microsoft Office

Tools

Genuit Business System (GBS)

Job description

Job Description

Polypipe Building Services is a leading provider of engineered above-ground drainage and water supply systems. Through its renowned Terrain brand, the business designs and delivers solutions for commercial, residential, healthcare, education, and leisure projects, supporting engineers, contractors, and local authorities with over 50 years of industry expertise.

Part of the Genuit Group, we combine long-term stability with a culture built on teamwork, accountability and continuous improvement. We encourage fresh ideas, invest in development and are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone feels like they belong.

Role:

We are seeking an enthusiastic Trainee Lean Practitioner to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your continuous improvement expertise while supporting the rollout of the Genuit Business System (GBS) across the business.

Working across manufacturing, warehousing, and support functions, you will help identify and deliver sustainable improvements, reduce waste, and enhance operational performance through the application of lean methodologies and problem-solving techniques. The role offers valuable hands‑on experience in continuous improvement within a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the identification and delivery of continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing, warehousing, and support functions, focusing on waste reduction and process efficiency.

• Learn and apply lean methodologies and continuous improvement tools to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity performance.

• Plan, facilitate, and lead Kaizen workshops, improvement events, and process improvement activities.

• Work collaboratively with frontline teams to implement practical and sustainable improvements within their areas of responsibility.

• Support structured problem‑solving activities, including root cause analysis, to address operational challenges and improve business performance.

• Assist with the rollout, embedding, and ongoing development of the Genuit Business System (GBS) across the site.

• Monitor, measure, and report on continuous improvement activities, ensuring benefits are captured, communicated, and sustained.

• Develop and maintain visual management systems, standard work, and performance metrics to support operational excellence.

• Provide coaching and guidance on lean principles and continuous improvement techniques to build capability across the workforce.

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by engaging employees at all levels and encouraging participation in improvement initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• An individual who takes responsibility for their learning and development.

• A high attention to detail.

• A passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.

• Strong communication, and stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.

• A pro‑active and self motivated approach to work.

• Some knowledge of lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Visual Management, Root Cause Analysis, and Problem Solving techniques is desirable but not essential.

• Experience of using Microsoft Office.

Benefits:

• Salary: Starting at 30,000 per annum

• Monday - Friday

• 25 days holiday entitlement.

• Contributory pension scheme - matched up to 8%.

• Life assurance.

• Save as you earn Sharesave Scheme.

• Cycle to work scheme.

• Free flu vouchers.

• Various health & wellbeing initiatives including complimentary occupational health on-site physiotherapy and counselling services.

• Staff discount on all Genuit Group products.

• Free on-site parking.