_{03rd July, 2025}

Business Improvement Manager
 
Department: Production Engineering
 
Location: Ashton Under Lyne
 
Reports To: Operations Director
 
Purpose of the Role
The Business Improvement Manager plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s strategic goals by enhancing production efficiency and supporting operational excellence. This role focuses on applying engineering expertise, process design, and continuous improvement methodologies to optimize manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and improve quality and safety. A key aspect of the role is identifying and eliminating waste, introducing automation and digitization, and leading cross-functional improvement initiatives.
 
Key Responsibilities
 
People Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop the Production Engineering team to achieve departmental objectives and maximize team effectiveness.

Strategic Planning

• Drive forward engineering initiatives, including capital investment planning, automation, digital transformation, and factory layout optimization.

Capital Investment

• Execute the 5-year operational investment strategy.
• Lead the implementation of the 3-year re-layout plan for the final assembly area (approx. £4 million investment approved).

Project Management

• Define project scopes and objectives.
• Communicate plans effectively with stakeholders, ensuring customer needs are central to all decisions.

Process Engineering & Support

• Oversee the design for manufacture (DFM) process for new and special product introductions.
• Provide hands-on support to resolve production issues and ensure on-time delivery.

Process Improvement & Auditing

• Develop and enhance operational processes.
• Conduct audits to maintain high standards of equipment and tooling.

Tooling & System Design

• Design and implement tools, jigs, fixtures, and gauges to support manufacturing.
• Lead the design and commissioning of digital systems within operations.

Standard Operating Procedures

• Create and maintain SOPs for new products and processes.

Lean & Safety Advocacy

• Champion lean manufacturing tools and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Ensure all processes are supported by up-to-date risk assessments and safe systems of work (RA & SSoW).

Communication & Reporting

• Provide regular project updates to senior management, highlighting risks, delays, and financial impacts.
• Escalate concerns and propose business solutions as needed.

Required Skills & Experience Essential

• Engineering qualification.
• Strong IT skills, including Excel, Microsoft Project, and CAD.
• Proven experience managing full project life cycles.
• Extensive background in manufacturing or production engineering.
• Proficient in continuous improvement tools: FMEA, DMAIC, Kanban, 8D, Kaizen, value stream mapping.
• 10–15 years of production engineering experience.
• Experience in fast-paced manufacturing environments with high SKU volumes and tight deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience in digital transformation and automation within manufacturing.

Key Behaviours

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Resilient under pressure with excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Passionate about achieving targets and driving continuous improvement.
• Influential and relationship-focused, with a proactive approach to problem-solving

 
 

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