Continuous Improvement Engineer

Continuous Improvement Engineer / Manager

Location: Ecclesfield, South Yorkshire
Salary: £40,000 – £50,000 per year
Department: Production / Operations
Reports to: Operations Manager

About Hartwell Manufacturing

Hartwell Manufacturing is a family\-run engineering business with nearly 50 years of experience delivering high\-quality acoustic enclosures and heavy steel fabrication projects. From our Ossett headquarters, we support clients in the power, data centre and industrial sectors with engineered solutions built on precision, collaboration and reliability. The culture is hands\-on, team\-focused and proud of the work we produce.

As our business continues to grow, we are looking to appoint an experienced and driven Continuous Improvement Engineer / Manager to help deliver measurable improvements across our manufacturing operations.

The Role

This is a key, hands\-on role focused on improving productivity, labour efficiency, quality and overall shopfloor performance.

Working closely with Production, Engineering and Operations teams, you will spend significant time on the shopfloor understanding how work is being carried out, identifying inefficiencies and turning improvement opportunities into practical, measurable results.

We are looking for someone who is comfortable challenging existing processes, working directly with production teams and ensuring improvements are properly implemented and sustained.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support continuous improvement activity across manufacturing operations.


• Identify opportunities to reduce labour hours, waste, downtime and production inefficiencies.


• Analyse existing manufacturing processes and develop practical improvement solutions.


• Work directly with shopfloor teams to implement improvements and measure results.


• Establish and monitor KPIs covering productivity, efficiency, quality and labour performance.


• Implement Lean Manufacturing, 5S and other continuous improvement techniques.


• Lead improvement projects from initial identification through to implementation and sustained delivery.


• Improve manufacturing workflow, factory layout, material movement and production processes.


• Identify opportunities for standardisation and develop standard operating procedures.


• Support the introduction of new machinery, equipment and manufacturing processes.


• Carry out root cause analysis and implement corrective improvement actions.


• Measure and report the operational and financial benefits delivered through improvement projects.


• Coach and engage employees in continuous improvement principles.


• Promote a practical culture of continuous improvement throughout the business.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone with a strong manufacturing background who understands that continuous improvement is about delivering real, measurable results on the shopfloor.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Improvement, Production Engineering or a similar operational improvement role.


• Experience within an engineering, fabrication or similar manufacturing environment.


• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.


• Proven experience improving productivity and reducing labour hours.


• Strong analytical and problem\-solving skills.


• Experience using operational data and KPIs to identify improvement opportunities.


• The confidence to challenge existing processes and influence change.


• A practical, hands\-on approach to problem solving.


• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with both shopfloor teams and senior management.


• The ability to manage multiple improvement projects and deliver against agreed objectives.

Desirable Experience

• Lean or Six Sigma qualifications.


• Experience with 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping and Root Cause Analysis.


• Experience implementing standard work and visual management systems.


• Experience developing or managing manufacturing KPI systems.


• A track record of delivering measurable cost savings and efficiency improvements.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be demonstrated through measurable improvements including:

• Reduced actual labour hours against budgeted hours.


• Increased manufacturing capacity and throughput.


• Improved production flow.


• Reduced waste and rework.


• Improved quality and right\-first\-time performance.


• Reduced downtime and production delays.


• Improved workplace organisation and 5S standards.


• Greater visibility of operational performance.


• A stronger culture of continuous improvement across the workforce.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to manufacturing operations and wants to have a direct, visible impact on the performance of a growing engineering business.

Pay: £40,000\.00\-£50,000\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Free parking

Application question(s):

• Do you have Continuous Improvement experience in a Fabrication environment?


• Do you have a working knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement techniques?

Work Location: In person

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