Continuous Improvement Specialist

Kepak Group; Watergrasshill; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Pension

Paid Maternity Leave

Further Education support

Refer a Friend Scheme

Bike to Work Scheme

Long Service Awards

Job summary

Kepak Group seeks a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead lean initiatives across our Retail Manufacturing operations, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and embed a culture of operational excellence.

You'll work with Operations, Commercial, Supply Chain, Engineering, Food Safety & Quality, and Health & Safety teams to drive projects using Lean Six Sigma, 5S, Value Stream Mapping and Root Cause Analysis, establishing KPIs, ROI, and training programs to sustain gains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or level 8 in a related field.
• Experience in operations and/or continuous improvement in food manufacturing.
• Lean Manufacturing Green Belt is desirable.
• Strong understanding of OpEx tools and practical implementation.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, eliminate waste, reduce costs and improve performance.
• Lead and embed Lean methodologies and tools across sites.
• Partner with site leadership to prioritise initiatives and deliver measurable results.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to track progress and demonstrate impact.
• Quantify ROI and cost savings from OpEx projects.
• Facilitate workshops and training on operational excellence principles.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Financial acumen

Data-driven insights

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Industrial Management or related field

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

5S

Value Stream Mapping

Root Cause Analysis

Kaizen

Job description

Kepak is a leading food company with manufacturing sites across Ireland and the UK. The Group operates across three divisions: the Foods Division, Meat Division UK, and Meat Division Ireland. Guided by our values—Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and Teamwork,we are committed to operating as a successful, sustainable, future-ready business that is a great place to work. We supply fresh and value-added meat based products to retail and foodservice through private label and our own brands, including Rustlers, Big Al's and John Stone.

Kepak Meat Division Ireland operates across multiple manufacturing sites, producing a range of quality meat and protein-based food products for retail and foodservice customers across both domestic and export markets. The division is recognised for its operational excellence, strong customer partnerships, and continuous innovation.

We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead and deliver continuous improvement initiatives across our Retail Manufacturing operations. In this role, you'll identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, increase profitability, and embed a culture of operational excellence throughout the business.

Working closely with Operations, Commercial, Supply Chain, Engineering, Food Safety & Quality, and Health & Safety teams, you'll lead improvement projects using Lean methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and Root Cause Analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Identifying opportunities to streamline processes, eliminate waste, reduce costs, and improve operational performance.
• Implementing and embedding Lean methodologies and tools such as Lean Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and Kaizen.
• Partnering with site leadership teams to prioritise improvement initiatives and deliver measurable business results.
• Establishing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and demonstrate project success.
• Quantifying financial benefits, return on investment (ROI), and cost‑saving opportunities from OpEx projects.
• Facilitating workshops and improvement events that engage teams and generate innovative solutions.
• Promoting a culture of continuous learning by designing and delivering training programmes on operational excellence principles and best practices.
• Working closely with project teams to ensure improvement projects are effectively managed from concept through to implementation and sustainability.
• Supporting quality, safety, sustainability, and customer-focused initiatives to strengthen our position as a leading food manufacturer.

• Bachelor's degree / Level 8 qualification in Business Administration, Engineering, Industrial Management or related field
• Proven experience in a operations role and/or continuous improvement role in food manufacturing
• Lean Manufacturing Green Belt certification is desirable
• Other project management qualifications and experience advantageous
• In depth knowledge of Op Ex tools and techniques and practical implementation experience
• Financial & Commercial Acumen: Understanding of cost drivers, budgeting, and commercial levers in manufacturing.
• Analytical mindset with ability to use data driven insights to identify areas for improvement

What can we offer you?

• Company Pension
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Further Education support - You’ll have clear pathways for advancement, supported by continuous professional development and a range of learning opportunities
• Refer a Friend Scheme - Earn up to Get up to €500 for successfully referring a friend or family member to Kepak Group.
• Bike to Work Scheme - Purchase a bike and safety equipment through a salary sacrifice scheme which reduces your taxable income – meaning you pay less tax!
• Long Service Awards - We recognise, acknowledge and award the dedication and valuable contribution of long serving employees

#IND