Value Stream Improvement Lead - Packing - Day shift

Dechra Group; Skipton; On-site; GBP 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A global veterinary pharmaceutical company is seeking a Value Stream Improvement Lead for their Skipton site. This role involves leading continuous improvement initiatives and optimizing production efficiency while ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in a GMP production facility, proven leadership in project management, and a solid background in data analysis. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Free onsite parking

22.5 days annual holiday + Bank Holidays

8% Employer Pension Contribution

Option to buy a week’s holiday each year

Qualifications

• Experience of low to medium volume production and manual/semi-automated processes.
• Proven industry experience from a highly regulated GMP production facility.
• Ability to lead project teams and drive change and improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and embed a culture of continuous improvement in the value stream.
• Identify inefficiencies and implement sustainable solutions.
• Support operational teams to achieve performance excellence.

Skills

Continuous improvement methodologies

Data analysis

Health & Safety compliance

Communication

Production supervision

Tools

Oracle

Job description

Value Stream Improvement Lead - Packing - Day Shift

£37,500 per annum (equivalent to £19.49 per hour). Shift: Day 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday‑Friday (nine‑day fortnight with every other Friday off).

Based at our Skipton, North Yorkshire manufacturing site. Please only apply if you live within commuting distance of Skipton.

Job Introduction

We are Dechra, a growing global specialist in veterinary pharmaceuticals focused on developing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling high‑quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide.

The role

To lead and embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout the value stream. You will identify inefficiencies, implement sustainable solutions, and support operational teams in achieving performance excellence in people, safety, quality, delivery, and cost using methodologies such as Practical Process Improvement (PPI).

• Own and coordinate the skills matrix for the department, aligning with shift managers to plan training for individuals to improve flexibility and agility across the team.
• Support shift briefings and team communications to ensure alignment and engagement.
• Contribute to the people plan, supporting development and succession planning.
• Participate and encourage use of recognition schemes.
• Support incident investigations and lead on the timely closure of the resulting actions.
• Participate in hazard identification and drive closure of open hazards and actions.
• Own the area risk assessments, conducting alongside area team to ensure correct level of detail and own mitigation actions.
• Ensure housekeeping standards are maintained and improved through schemes such as process confirmation and 5S.
• Lead major deviation investigation using root cause analysis tools and support minor deviation management with shift managers.
• Own and implement Corrective & Preventative Actions (CAPAs), change controls, and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) periodic reviews through the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Drive Right‑First‑Time (RFT) improvements through data analysis of errors and deviations, taking corrective actions to proactively improve.
• Department lead for preparation and execution of internal and external audits from document control through to housekeeping standards.
• Conduct telemetry analysis taking remedial actions as required and track equipment calibrations for the department.
• Lead analysis of short‑interval control (SIC) data and consequent overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, maximise output and drive schedule adherence.
• Support alignment of production plans via Sales & Operational Planning (S&OP) process and delivery through process optimisation.
• Conduct yield analysis and drive improvement projects to reduce waste during production.
• Reduce batch rejects through CAPA closure and improvement of RFT.
• Provide back‑up support for the shift manager where required.
• Act as the point of contact/production workstream lead for new product introductions, capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects and other key projects, ensuring operational issues are addressed.

You

A self‑motivated, enthusiastic individual who can lead improvements and work well within a team environment. Must be able to deliver performance improvements whilst supporting day‑to‑day production activities and remaining compliant under a regulated environment.

Essential

• Experience of low to medium volume production, manual/semi‑automated processes.
• Good knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety compliance.
• Proven industry experience from a highly regulated GMP production facility.
• A working knowledge and practical experience of pharmaceutical manufacture and ability to manage time and workload effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both within the production team and cross‑functionally.
• Ability to conduct detailed data analysis to determine improvement projects.
• A working knowledge and practical experience of continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proven ability to lead project teams and drive change and improvement.
• Knowledge of computerised systems such as Oracle.
• Experience supervising and leading production shopfloor teams.

Desirable

• Qualifications in Continuous Improvement such as Green Belt (Lean Six Sigma).
• Knowledge of computerised systems such as Oracle.
• Experience supervising and leading production shopfloor teams.

Reward

• £37,500 salary (equivalent to £19.49 per hour).
• Free onsite parking.
• Average 36‑hour working week.
• 22.5 days annual holiday + Bank Holidays.
• Option to buy a week’s holiday each year.
• 8% Employer Pension Contribution.