Continuous Improvement Manager
Location:
Thirsk, North Yorkshire
Contract:
Permanent, Full Time
The Opportunity
We're excited to be recruiting for a
Continuous Improvement Manager
to join our manufacturing site in Thirsk. This is a key leadership role where you'll drive operational excellence, embed a culture of problem-solving, and ensure long-term sustainable performance.
As part of the Site Leadership Team (SLT), you'll champion initiatives that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and deliver measurable business value, while coaching colleagues to develop problem-solving capability across all functions.
The Company
At IPN, we're passionate about pet nutrition. We're an
award-winning, innovative FMCG manufacturer
with a growing family of brands including
Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butchers and Classic Cat
.
We're proud to employ
hundreds of colleagues across 3 different site locations in the UK – Thirsk, North Yorkshire; Crick, Northamptonshire; and Kinmel, Wales.
Our heritage, values, and growth journey make us one of the UK's leading independent pet food businesses. Continuous Improvement is a vital part of ensuring we deliver high-quality products and long-term success.
The Role
Your purpose will be to lead the adoption of continuous improvement (CI) across the site, defining stretching improvement targets, aligning projects with business strategy, and ensuring delivery through structured processes. You'll empower teams at all levels to recognise opportunities, measure success, and embed sustainable CI practices.
Key Accountabilities
* Define stretching site financial CI targets, aligned with business objectives and strategic plans
* Develop a masterplan of achievable CI initiatives with site and functional colleagues
* Manage delivery of CI initiatives within timescales and budgets, leveraging internal and external resources
* Drive site deployment of the CI programme to full maturity, using Process Confirmations to measure adoption
* Coach teams across Operations and other functions in CI principles and tools to build capability
* Promote full adoption of the CI KPI suite and health check CI performance
* Actively contribute to the IPN CI community, sharing and embedding best practice
* Identify and coach/develop suitable colleagues into a CI-ready talent pool
What We're Looking For
* Previous manufacturing experience within a recognised world-class/lean organisation
* Proven track record of delivering measurable results using CI techniques
* Effective leader of business process change and site improvement plans
* Skilled in delivering training, coaching, and facilitating group problem-solving sessions
* Strong programme and project management experience
The Package
* Salary:
Competitive
* Bonus:
15% annual company bonus scheme
* Hours:
40 hours per week – Monday to Friday
* Pension:
Employee contributions 3% / Employer contributions 8% (salary sacrifice scheme)
* Holidays:
25 days + bank holidays
* Medicash Plan
* Life Assurance
* Private Health
* Enhanced leave policies
– maternity, paternity, pawternity, pawreavement
* Perks:
Free parking, on-site electric charging, bring your dog to work, subsidised canteen, discounted products & free hot drinks
* Flexible benefits
– cycle to work, workplace nurseries, dental insurance (via salary sacrifice or pay deductions)
* Heavily discounted pet food
* Free Netflix/Spotify subscription
How to Apply
If you're a collaborative, results-driven leader passionate about embedding continuous improvement and empowering teams, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and be part of a growing, values-led business making a real difference in the pet nutrition sector.