Job Description

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our Kings Dyke team in the position of Continuous Improvement Manager.



The Continuous Improvements Manager plays a pivotal role in driving the site's strategic and operational goals through the identification, promotion and delivery of continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing principles. This role is focused on enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring the highest standards of safety, productivity, quality, and sustainability, whilst identifying and executing cost saving opportunities.

Your duties would include but not limited to the following:

Safety and Compliance:

Ensure that all improvements and operational practices align with safety regulations and compliance standards. Promote a strong safety culture within teams and ensure that safety protocols are adhered to in all continuous improvement activities.

Continuous Improvement Leadership:

Collaborate with the site Management Team to identify and drive key initiatives focused on improving operational performance, quality, sustainability, and cost efficiency across the manufacturing operation. Analyse performance metrics and lead the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives, driving process optimization, quality, efficiency, and waste reduction across manufacturing teams. Lead problem-solving sessions and Kaizen events, guiding teams in applying Lean principles (e.g., 5S, Six Sigma) to improve processes and resolve issues. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to drive NPD initiatives.

Coaching and Development:

Coach and mentor site colleagues at all levels to help them adopt best practices, Lean methodologies and effective problem-solving techniques. Build a culture of continuous improvement across the site, challenging the status quo and encouraging innovative thinking and collaboration between departments.

Process Optimization:

Support the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) for manufacturing operations and ensure their alignment with business objectives. Assist in standardising processes across production lines to improve consistency, reduce variability, and drive efficiency.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

Monitor and analyse operational performance to ensure site continuous improvement goals are being met. Provide regular updates and insights on progress toward operational excellence goals, including recommendations for improvement to senior leadership.

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Support:

Work closely with internal and external cross-functional teams (e.g., Quality, Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain) to ensure alignment between manufacturing and other business functions. Share knowledge and best practices across teams and sites, promoting collaboration and ensuring alignment with the overall business strategy.

Quality and Compliance:

Work with Quality Assurance teams to reduce defects and maintain high standards of product excellence. Lead initiatives focused on identifying and solving root cause of production issues and implementing corrective and preventative actions.

Sustainability and Cost Efficiency:

Support efforts to improve sustainability by identifying opportunities for resource optimisation, waste reduction, and energy conservation. Promote cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality, safety, or productivity, ensuring maximum efficiency across manufacturing processes.

Change Management:

Lead and support the implementation of change management initiatives related to new processes, systems, or technologies. Encourage the adoption of new tools and technologies to continuously enhance manufacturing capabilities.

Knowledge Sharing and Best Practices:

Actively contribute to the knowledge-sharing process by capturing lessons learned from

improvement projects and disseminating them across other sites.

Identify and implement industry best practices to elevate the organisation's manufacturing

processes and maintain competitive advantage.

Reporting and Accountability:

Monitor and analyse key performance indicators (KPI's) related to manufacturing efficiency, quality, and cost using data to drive performance improvements. Deliver regular, data driven updates and reports to site Management Team, highlighting progress, outcomes and insights from ongoing initiatives to inform strategic decision making.

About You:

Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align manufacturing operations and improvement initiatives with overall business objectives. Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities, focused on identifying root causes and driving effective solutions to foster continuous improvement in manufacturing processes. Demonstrable success in driving initiatives to improve operational efficiency and culture of continuous improvement across manufacturing teams. In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with Lean Six Sigma, and other process optimisation methodologies, consistently delivering measurable improvements in performance, quality and productivity. Strong change management skills to include the practical implementation of Lean manufacturing principles and concepts. Ability to lead and engage a cross-functional team towards a desired outcome. Excellent written and verbal communications skills. A certificate in Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or Master Black Belt). Project Management Certification. Certification in other process improvement methodologies (e.g. Kaizen, TQM). Engineering or manufacturing background. Health and Safety to IOSH level.

What We Can Offer You:

Competitive Salary and Benefits package Life Assurance and Company Pension Scheme up to 10% employer contribution Generous holiday allowance Gym benefit and Cycle 2 Work Scheme Access to Employee Assistance Programme for self and family members Employee Referral Scheme Service Awards Sharesave Scheme eligibility Holiday Exchange Scheme Financial Wellbeing Program Personal development and opportunities for progression Company Annual Bonus Scheme

We are a leading manufacturer of a diverse and trusted range of concrete and clay building products used extensively within the construction sector, with instantly recognisable brands including Thermalite block, Bison Precast and the iconic London Brick.



Our complete product range comprises of clay bricks, aircrete blocks, aggregate blocks, precast concrete, flooring products, permeable paving and chimney, roofing, and flue systems.



Forterra's purpose is to build lasting legacies, manufacturing a range of products from the ground up to support customers with their construction projects.



We are proud to be at the forefront of the industries' safety standards and are committed to achieving zero harm in our workplaces.