Continuous Improvement Lead
- Location: Blackburn
- Salary: c£40,000 + Benefits
- Job Type: Permanent
The Opportunity
5S Recruitment are partnering with a well-established manufacturing business to recruit a Continuous Improvement Lead. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement professional to play a key role in driving operational excellence across a busy production environment. Reporting directly into the senior leadership team, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing, implementing, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the site. This role offers genuine autonomy and the opportunity to influence business performance, improve operational efficiency, and deliver measurable improvements across Production, Engineering, Technical, and Quality functions.
The Role
As Continuous Improvement Lead, you will be responsible for identifying opportunities, leading improvement projects, coaching teams, and implementing Lean methodologies that deliver sustainable improvements in safety, quality, cost, delivery, and productivity.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the site's Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence programme.
- Develop and implement a structured Continuous Improvement strategy aligned to business objectives.
- Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives across all operational departments.
- Facilitate Kaizen events, improvement workshops, and structured problem-solving activities.
- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, and cost performance.
- Analyse operational data and performance metrics to prioritise improvement activities.
- Develop business cases to support process improvements, standardisation, and investment opportunities.
- Lead cross-functional improvement projects from concept through to implementation and sustainability review.
- Coach, mentor, and train employees at all levels in Lean tools and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
- Promote the use of root cause analysis techniques including 5 Why, Fishbone, A3, and PDCA methodologies.
- Drive waste reduction initiatives across manufacturing processes.
- Improve visual management, process control, KPI reporting, and operational visibility.
- Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and engineering development activities.
- Coordinate and support structured project management and phase gate processes where required.
- Provide regular progress updates and performance reports to senior management teams.
About You
- We are seeking a proactive and driven Continuous Improvement professional with a passion for delivering meaningful change within a manufacturing environment.
You will ideally possess:
- Previous experience within a Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, CI Engineer, CI Lead, or similar role.
- Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
- Proven experience delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, cost, and delivery performance.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational and financial data.
- Experience leading cross-functional projects within a manufacturing environment.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence and engage employees at all levels of an organisation.
- Strong coaching and mentoring capabilities.
- Practical, hands-on approach with a strong shop-floor presence.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Desirable Experience
- Lean Six Sigma qualification (Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent).
- Manufacturing, Engineering, Plastics, Packaging, Automotive, FMCG, or Process Industry experience.
- Project Management experience.
- Experience implementing visual management and performance management systems.
- Knowledge of ERP, MES, or manufacturing reporting systems.
What's On Offer
- Competitive salary of c£40,000.
- Company pension scheme.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Genuine opportunity to shape the Continuous Improvement culture of the business.
- High levels of autonomy and visibility within the organisation.
- Stable and growing manufacturing environment.
- Long-term career progression opportunities.
About 5S Recruitment Limited
5S Recruitment Limited specialises exclusively in Plastics, Packaging, Manufacturing, Engineering and Technical recruitment. With over 16 years of industry experience, we take a quality-over-quantity approach, providing carefully selected candidates who match both the technical requirements and culture of our clients. As a one-man-band recruitment business, every assignment receives a personal, professional, and highly targeted approach.