Business Improvement Specialist (Manufacturing)

Epwin Group; Telford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company in Telford is seeking a Business Improvement Specialist to enhance manufacturing processes through innovative project management and operational excellence. Candidates should possess a solid understanding of lean manufacturing, MES systems, and business improvement initiatives. This role demands effective communication skills and the capability to lead cross-functional teams towards achieving business goals while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality.

Qualifications

• Good practical understanding of business improvement methodologies.
• Proven experience in manufacturing operations and performance improvement.
• Strong understanding of production flow optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Monitor adherence to company policies and safe work systems.
• Drive improvements in OEE, scrap reduction, and productivity.
• Facilitate development projects aligned with operational strategy.

Skills

Business improvement

Lean manufacturing

Project management

Problem solving

Effective communication

Tools

MES systems

Job description

Job Title

Business Improvement Specialist (Manufacturing)

Site Location: Telford

Reports To: Business Improvement Manager

Job Purpose

Responsible for the ongoing improvement and support of core divisional manufacturing processes, facilitating the implementation of improvement projects focused typically on blending, extrusion, finishing, and other wider operations.

This role will work closely with operational teams to identify and deliver measurable improvements aligned with business goals.

Key Accountabilities

• Monitor the adherence of company policies and safe systems of work throughout the manufacturing areas
• Project a positive attitude in all aspects of your work and collaborate with cross functional departments to promote a strong team culture.
• Facilitate development projects in line with the WSD operational strategy using A3 / Obeya approach.
• Challenge current working practices and exercise creativity and innovation in resolving issues.
• Support MES enhancements and production layout optimisation.
• Provide visibility and control of critical core process parameters.
• Drive improvements in OEE, scrap reduction, cycle times, product flow & productivity per FTE.
• Ensure KPI targets for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People & Environment are consistently achieved.
• Provide practical and analytical justification to enable effective delivery of manufacturing improvement projects.
• Ensure effective communication to staff of project scope / potential benefits, changes to systems, processes and/or procedures.
• Work with respective colleagues to resolve low level core process issues.
• Reduce wasted time and unnecessary cost within the business processes.
• Provide clear & accurate analysis / reports that measure improvements made.
• Adherence to all organisational policies, management systems and standard operational procedures, including legal responsibilities in relation to Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality.
• Work positively to develop and foster good working relationships with colleagues and contracted personnel to maintain a culture of mutual respect and dignity.
• Represent the organisation in a positive way as to avoid the damage of corporate image or bringing the company into disrepute.
• Promote and Display the Epwin Core Values.

Key Experiences and Skills Required

• Good practical understanding of business improvement, 5S workplace organisation, visual management, A3 problem solving, project management, lean manufacturing and operations excellence is required.
• Proven experience in manufacturing operations and performance improvement.
• Strong understanding of MES systems and production flow optimisation.
• Ability to lead cross-functional improvement projects and engage stakeholders.

Desirable Skills, Qualifications and Experience Required

• Experience within a Business Improvement role previously

Personal Attributes

• Leadership – strong, consistent, clear, inspire others, integrity, ability to drive through change
• Empowering Others – Delegation of trust, correct controls, feedback, communicate accountability and responsibility
• Action orientated – Able to deal with problems in appropriate time frames
• Driven by results – Decisive, confident addressing problems and opportunities, challenging activities to improve performance, demonstrate willingness to challenge accepted methods and standards
• Effective communication – Clear concise written and spoken, ability at all levels, customer, supplier and internal
• Strategic agility – recognition of a changing need and speed of response, rapid reaction to challenges
• High Standards – demonstrating a motivation to improve standards and thereby making a real difference, challenging inadequate solutions
• Integrity and trust – demonstrating a sense of commitment to openness, honesty, loyalty and high standards in undertaking the role