At Valeo Foods UK we bring together a family of much-loved UK food brands supported by the scale and ambition of a global investment partner. From Kettles bold crunch to Rowses natural sweetness, through to Matthew Walker and Barratt Sweets, our portfolio blends heritage, craft and category-leading innovation.

Alongside our branded portfolio, we are also one of the UKs largest suppliers of private label products, partnering with major retailers to deliver quality and category expertise that meets the needs of millions of households every week.

As a business, were on a journey of transformation. Were strengthening our operations, driving quality and investing in our people. Its an exciting, fast-moving environment where heritage meets new thinking, and where every colleague contributes to shaping the future of food across the UK.

Join us and play your part in building the next chapter of some of Britains most loved brands.

Valeo Food UK are looking for CI Lead for our manufacturing site in Gateshead.

The successful candidates would be required to drive the Continuous Improvement culture alongside our CI Managers, Responsible for the delivery and coaching of improvement activity within an area of responsibility often associated with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

You would work as a member of the operational team to resolve problems - preventing re-occurrence, engaging others in issues affecting them and to support the improvement of performance.

Engaging with team members in the identification of improvement opportunities and relevant countermeasures and controls.

Initiating and facilitating improvement activities through to confirmed resolution and reporting back to stakeholders on improvements made.

Providing local expertise in business improvement methods and provision of basic tools to the team.

Ensuring that site KPIs are achieved and exceeded while maintaining and complying with Health and Safety ethical and agreed technical standards.

Role Description

• Driving a Continuous Improvement culture with pace through the application of Lean / Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Develop, configure, and optimize manufacturing processes from inception through to start up and certification
• Develop best practices, routines, and innovative solutions to improve production rates and quality of output.
• Challenging and reviewing existing processes to generate sustained and tangible improvements, utilising appropriate improvement methodologies, whilst utilising people engagement and empowerment in the change process.
• Handle multiple site projects, moving at varying pace, with clear and visible performance and financial data tracking.
• Ability to respond to the level of maturity required for the Continuous Improvement journey when working with others. Adopting a driver, facilitator or supporter stance depending on the given situation or level of understanding.
• Able to deliver the appropriate training and coaching to others in Continuous Improvement methodologies within operations to gain sustained improvement.
• Ability to apply the right elements of Lean and other Continuous Improvement methodologies according to business needs. Using the right control measures required for sustained improvement.

• Proven ability to improve performance through change
• Practical or Working knowledge of Lean and/or Six Sigma
• NVQ level 3 equivalent or above in manufacturing / operations (desirable)
• Training in CI methodology
• Project Management experience
• Proven experience of leading CI within a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) environment
• Train the Trainer qualification, (desirable but not essential)