Continuous Improvement Manager
Continuous Improvement Manager
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Continuous Improvement Manager to join our Operations team, here at Yorkshire Baker. Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will be responsible for embedding a robust, repeatable and controlled operating model across the site, with a clear focus on quality, consistency, and process discipline.
Main duties include (but not limited to):
- Lead continuous improvement activity with quality and consistency as the first priority
- Identify and eliminate sources of process variability that impact product quality/shelf life/complaints/rework and waste related to quality failure
- Act as a key partner to Technical in embedding quality by design, not inspection
- Ensure improvements are aligned to quality risk assessments, QCPs, and quality contracts
- Lead the use of SPC and process capability tools where appropriate
- Ensure processes are capable, stable & clearly controlled
- Drive transition from reactive fixes to predictive, controlled processes
- Support robust change management, ensuring quality risk is fully assessed before any changes or modifications
- Ensure improvements do not undermine food safety, quality or legal/retailer requirements
- Integrate CI thinking into daily operational rhythms, not standalone projects
- Coach leaders to own improvements, rather than depend on CI function delivery
- Lead structured problem solving focused on true root cause, not symptom removal
- Use data to drive decisions, not just reporting
- Convert internal failures, complaints, and PIRs into system improvements
- Build site capability in problem solving, process thinking & quality risk awareness
- Embed a culture where early escalation is encouraged, near misses are valued and consistency is prioritised over short-term output
Candidate requirements:
- Strong food manufacturing background, ideally within pastry or bakery
- Strong understanding of process control, variation management as well as quality systems
- Proven ability to influence, work cross-functionally and embed change
- Proven experience supplying top-tier UK retailers, ideally M&S
- Experience of continuous improvement, quality, efficiency & compliance within food manufacturing
- Ability to solve problems, communicate effectively at all levels as well as showcasing strong leadership
- Effective communicator with a calm and diplomatic attitude
A full job description is available upon request. Salary to be discussed at interview stage.