Overview of role
Location: Biggleswade
Site Based
Closing date: 5th September 2025
The CI Lead will act as a strategic partner to the site leadership team, responsible for designing, implementing, and evolving the Continuous Improvement (CI) strategy in line with the operational goals of the business.
This role will champion a long-term vision for CI, embed sustainable improvement practices, and build organisational capability to support business transformation. As a cultural change leader, the CI Lead will influence, engage, and develop managers across all shifts to create a high-performance, data-driven mindset that fuels operational excellence, and value creation.
Key Accountabilities
• Develop and deliver a strategic CI roadmap aligned to business and transformation priorities.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to embed CI into strategic planning, operational reviews, and investment decisions.
• Build site-wide CI capability through structured training, coaching, and mentoring programmes.
• Establish and lead CI governance frameworks including KPIs, reporting, and a CI Steering Group.
• Scope and lead high-impact, cross-functional CI projects to deliver measurable operational and financial improvements.
• Create and develop a network of CI Representatives to drive frontline engagement and grassroots innovation.
• Drive consistent 5S practices and visual management standards across the site.
• Embed a CI strategy that directly impacts KPIs such as OEE, MSA, CPMU, MUV, CPT, and Quality (right, first time).
• Position CI as a driver of innovation in process and packing improvements.
• Influence leaders to adopt CI thinking in functional strategies and long-term planning.
• Build a cross-functional SME group to support sustainable change and capability diffusion across departments.
The Right Person
If you share our values...
Integrity, Passion for Results, Superior Quality, Initiative, Recognition & Teamwork
And you have the following skills and experiences....
• Proven ability to translate operational challenges into strategic CI opportunities.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes (preferably in FMCG or food environments) ability to support teams effectively.
• Demonstrated success in leading CI programmes or organisational transformation initiatives.
• Track record of building CI capability and leading cultural change.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (Black Belt preferred).
We can offer....
·
Attractive Salary
· Bonus Scheme (up to 10%)
·
Pension Scheme – up to 10% employer contributions
· Single
Bupa cover
·
Flexible work culture
·
Buy holiday scheme
·
Discounted products
·
Health Cash Plan
·
Career opportunities - ABF group employs 128,000 employees worldwide.
·
Discounts on over 900 retailers on our discount platform
·
Generous family leave policy
·
Leadership development
·
Group Cycle to work scheme
·
Free Parking
Together we inspire better wellbeing by creating a positive working environment that is rich in diversity, where we create equity in opportunities, where we can all be ourselves, and where we all feel that we belong.
We want to ensure the recruitment process works for everyone. If you require a reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process, please email
to discuss these adjustments.
Our brands are sold worldwide and have great credentials in environmental sustainability.
Apply now and let's see what we can do together
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