Overview
Continuous Improvement Lead 9 Month Fixed Term Contract
Yorkshire Water is a Water Utility Company based in the Yorkshire region of England. We are looking for a Continuous Improvement Lead to join the Asset Maintenance Team and help us provide the best service to our customers.
Location
Hybrid Working (3 days in the office/site per week in Bradford). There will be travel around the Yorkshire region as part of the role.
Work type
Temporary 9 months. 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
What We Do
We provide essential water and wastewater services to over 5.4 million people in the region and support the environment, health, and prosperity. The Asset Maintenance Continuous Improvement Team is a key part of meeting changing customer and regulator expectations. You will lead continuous improvement activity across the end‑to‑end Asset Maintenance Process, ensuring we maintain assets and plan and schedule work efficiently. You will help embed process improvements, standard operating procedures, and technology with a focus on shifting from reactive to planned and predictive maintenance. Your work will drive tangible benefits against operational, strategic, customer, and health & safety objectives through CI methodology.
Where You Fit In
As our Continuous Improvement Lead, you will:
* Work with the Continuous Improvement Manager to set up and embed a CI Framework across the Asset Maintenance Process, allowing improvement opportunities to be identified by all colleagues and recorded, tracked, and escalated as required to maximise performance against objectives.
* Observe work practices, spend time with field and office colleagues to identify how work flows and what hinders performance, making it as easy as possible for colleagues to do the best job.
* Manage issues and opportunities, bringing people together to progress them, solving problems, keeping colleagues informed and engaged.
* Utilise available performance data to develop new measures, encourage open conversations about improvements, and align with the Yorkshire Water Performance Excellence (PEx) framework.
* Review opportunities identified through the CI Framework to determine impact and benefits, and work with the Continuous Improvement Manager to prioritise and deliver these.
* Lead CI initiatives to realise benefits using CI methodology to design, communicate, and embed sustainable process improvements, leveraging subject matter experts to shape and inform.
* Build effective relationships and collaborate with wider teams to enable delivery of process improvements.
What Skills & Qualifications You Will Need
* Knowledge and experience in applying continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Systems Thinking) to deliver process improvements.
* Experience delivering and embedding change; ability to influence and drive the right culture and behaviours.
* Excellent communication skills and ability to engage colleagues at all levels, including senior leaders and directors.
* Highly numerate with strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to present data and articulate business cases clearly.
* Ability to interpret and analyse large volumes of data.
* Coaching skills adaptable to different abilities and learning styles.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective internal and external working relationships.
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet tight deadlines; initiative-driven.
* Excellent IT skills, especially in Microsoft Office applications.
* Resilience and determination to deliver change.
* Full UK driving licence.
You Will Also Benefit From Having
* Qualification relating to continuous improvement methodology.
* Previous experience within the water industry.
* Previous experience in a regulated environment.
* Knowledge of Engineering and Maintenance processes and Yorkshire Water’s regulatory commitments.
* Experience using SAP.
Additional Information
We support flexible working patterns and job share options where possible to help balance work and home life. If you have an accessibility need or require adjustments to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We reserve the right to close the position early if the need occurs.
Application
Please apply online and submit a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role. Closing date: 10 February 2026. If successful, pre-employment checks (including Basic Disclosure) and possibly security vetting may apply. A medical questionnaire may be required. All our roles are subject to required checks and adjustments to make the process accessible.
Recruitment Process
Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date if needed. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to removing barriers in our recruitment process.
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