Process Improvement Engineer
Hellaby (Home of KP Nuts)
On-site | Monday - Friday
Join our snack-loving team
Were looking for a Process Improvement Engineer to join us at KP Snacks. If youre ready to bring your ideas to the table, grow your skills and be part of a team that values what makes you, you this could be your next big move.
About the role
The Process Improvement Engineer plays a key role in optimising nut processing at KP Snacks. You will focus on improving recipes, eliminating waste, and introducing robust manufacturing processes that help us make safe, efficient, and consistent products.
Working as part of the Technical / Quality team, you will support the scaleup of new processes, improve equipment capability, resolve sources of variation, and drive continuous improvement activity across the site. This is a hands-on role that blends technical problem-solving with practical factory engagement. You will help strengthen process discipline, deepen technical understanding and support our ambition to make things better every day.
Whats in it for you?
We believe in rewarding our colleagues and helping them thrive. Heres a flavour of what we offer:
* Annual bonus scheme, with a strong track record of overachievement
* Comprehensive healthcare support including Medicash Health Cash Plan or Private Healthcare, Digital GP, Best Doctors second opinion service and specialist cancer care
* KP Pension Plan contribution matching up to 7% of your salary
* 25 days holiday, plus the option to buy more
* KP4ME our online platform for benefits, discounts, wellbeing tools and more
What will you be doing?
* Driving process optimisation
Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies and sources of waste through time studies, line balance assessments, process mapping and data analysis
* Supporting new product and process introduction
Partner with R&D on factory trials, design of experiments, sampling plans, risk assessments to establish robust performance windows, and conduct thermal profiling.
* Strengthening engineering and process performance
Improve machine setups, reduce changeovers, enhance reliability and maintain detailed process documentation, including parameters and control standards
* Leading structured technical problem-solving
Apply tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone, DMAIC and SPC to understand root causes and deliver sustainable corrective and preventive actions
* Championing continuous improvement
Lead or support projects that improve yields, reduce waste, enhance stability and contribute to IWS activities including 6S, WPIs and capability studies
Who are we?
Were KP Snacks, part of the Intersnack family. Across more than 30 countries, over 15,000 of us work together to make the snacks people love from Hula Hoops to McCoys. In the UK, were a team of around 2,400 colleagues, based across seven sites and our Slough HQ. Were proud of our close-knit culture, where we speak up, celebrate differences and push boundaries together.
Were committed to inclusion
Were building a workplace where everyone belongs. If you dont tick every box, wed still love to hear from you your unique perspective could be just what we need. And if theres anything we can do to make the process easier for you, just let us know.
Wed love to hear from you if you can bring:
* Relevant technical education
A mechanical, electrical or chemical engineering qualification, or a degree in a related field; food science qualifications or equivalent experience are also considered
* Experience in process engineering
Previous exposure to process development or optimisation within food manufacturing
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Confident using data and tools such as Excel to measure trends, identify root causes and present findings
* Project management capability
Able to lead improvement projects end-to-end, with experience working in cross-functional teams
* Understanding of lean and continuous improvement methods
Knowledge of lean tools, waste elimination and process capability; automation experience (PLCs, SCADA, HMI) is desirable
* Additional useful qualifications include HACCP, Food Safety or internal auditing certificates.
#LI-SC1 #LI-Onsite
JBRP1_UKTJ