Machine Shop Continuous Improvement Engineer

We are looking for a Continuous Improvement Engineer to join our Machine Shop. Reporting to the Machine Shop Manager, you will be required to support with planning, liaise with a cross functional team in order to deliver productivity and capacity targets, support continuous improvement, quality and use data to drive operational development.  

This role would be consuming ~20% of weekly working hours with 80% still to deliver direct labour hours.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

• Continuous Improvement Program & Governance
• Contribute to Kaizen events and daily/weekly Gemba walks; champion 5S, visual management, and waste elimination.
• Process Engineering & Time Reduction
• Conduct time studies and batch quantities to improve accuracy of planned job times, highlighting opportunities for direct cost savings.
• Identify and implement productivity improvements that leads to reduced planned times.
• Develop process capability on key characteristics; implement error‑proofing (Poka‑Yoke).
• Translate shop KPIs (OEE, utilisation, WIP, yield, scrap, rework, schedule adherence) into actions that improve overhead recovery.
• Quality Improvement & Problem Solving
• Contribute to root cause analysis via IPCAR meetings to address defects, variation, and repeat issues.
• Collaborate with Quality on in‑process controls in alignment with key stakeholders to drive world class quality.
• Production Support & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with the machine shop team, planners, quality, and supply chain to remove bottlenecks.
• Support NPI/engineering changes to ensure manufacturability and stable process introduction.

Required Essential Skills:

• Track record of working closely with Manufacturing cells, planning, suppliers and quality departments.
• Experience of using problem solving techniques.
• A strong track record of delivering quality based solutions for customers.
• Good time management with a track record of delivering product on time.
• Strong IT skills, Microsoft Office, Word and Excel at Intermediate level.
• Team player, able to work in a concurrent team.
• Self-motivated and takes ownership with a proactive approach with the ability to work independently, maintaining team communication.
• Handles pressure well, with a flexible approach to work and a willingness to learn and develop.
• Has experience of running continuous improvement projects from end to end.
• Has experience in driving down production costs.
• Need to be Basic DBS clearable due to air freight security.
• Six Sigma – Green belt acceptable, Blackbelt advantageous.
• Strong knowledge and use of lean manufacturing techniques and tools.

Desirable Skills:

• Knowledge of Navision ERP/MRP system.
• Good Communicator.
• Knowledge of inventory management.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing tools.
• Project management skills.

Required Personal Attributes:

• Honesty/Integrity – Does not cut corners ethically.  Earns trust and maintains confidence.  Does what is right.  Speaks plainly and truthfully.
• Follow through on commitments – Lives up to verbal and written agreements, regardless of personal costs.
• Attention to detail – Does not let important details slip through the cracks or derail a project
• Flexibility/adaptability – adjusts quickly to change priority and conditions.  Copes effectively with complexity and change
• Enthusiasm – Exhibits passion and excitement over work.  Has a can-do attitude
• Worth Ethic – possess a strong willingness to work hard and sometimes long hours to get the job done.  Has a track record of working hard
• High standards – Expects personal performance to be nothing short of the best
• Listening skills – Lets others speak and seeks to understand their viewpoints
• Communication – speaks and writes clearly and articulately without being over verbose or talkative.
• Teamwork – reaches out to peers and cooperates with managers to establish overall collaborative working relationship.