Continuous Improvement Engineer

Futures are looking for an experienced and proactive Continuous Improvement Engineer to join our team and drive measurable improvements across our operations.

The successful candidate will have a strong working knowledge of Lean strategies and methodologies, process improvement techniques, and ISO accreditation and compliance requirements. You will work closely with engineering, operations, quality, and leadership teams to identify improvement opportunities, eliminate waste, improve efficiency, standardise processes, and embed a culture of continuous improvement.

This role would suit an engineer who enjoys analysing how processes work, challenging existing ways of working, and turning improvement opportunities into sustainable, measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

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• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives across engineering, manufacturing, operational, and business processes.
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• Apply Lean principles and strategies to identify and eliminate waste, improve process flow, reduce variation, and increase productivity.
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• Facilitate improvement activities using methodologies and tools such as Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Standard Work, Visual Management, Root Cause Analysis, PDCA, DMAIC, and problem-solving techniques.
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• Analyse operational and process data to identify trends, bottlenecks, inefficiencies, quality issues, and improvement opportunities.
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• Develop clear business cases for improvement projects, including expected cost savings, productivity improvements, quality benefits, and return on investment.
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• Lead improvement projects from initial problem identification through implementation, measurement, standardisation, and sustained control.
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• Establish and monitor appropriate KPIs and performance measures to demonstrate the impact of improvement activities.
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• Work collaboratively with operational teams to develop practical solutions that can be successfully embedded into day-to-day working practices.
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• Support the development and maintenance of ISO-accredited management systems, ensuring processes, procedures, records, and improvement activities meet applicable standards.
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• Support internal and external ISO audits, including preparation, evidence gathering, corrective actions, and the closure of non-conformances.
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• Conduct or support root cause investigations and ensure corrective and preventive actions are effective and sustainable.
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• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), process documentation, work instructions, and process maps.
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• Coach and engage colleagues in Lean thinking and continuous improvement methodologies.
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• Promote a culture in which employees are encouraged to identify problems, suggest improvements, and take ownership of operational excellence.
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• Ensure improvements are implemented with appropriate consideration for quality, health and safety, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
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Essential Skills & Experience

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• Proven experience in a Continuous Improvement, Process Improvement, Manufacturing, Quality, Industrial, or Engineering role.
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• Strong practical knowledge of Lean strategies and methodologies.
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• Demonstrable experience delivering measurable process improvements within an operational or engineering environment.
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• Good working knowledge of ISO accreditation, management systems, auditing, compliance, and continuous improvement requirements.
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• Experience supporting an organisation through ISO audits, accreditation, surveillance audits, or recertification.
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• Strong understanding of structured problem-solving and root cause analysis.
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• Ability to interpret operational data and translate findings into practical improvement actions.
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• Experience developing and monitoring KPIs and improvement metrics.
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• Strong project management and organisational skills.
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• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the confidence to work across different levels of an organisation.
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• Ability to challenge existing processes constructively and influence teams to adopt improved ways of working.
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• A structured, analytical, and results-focused approach to problem-solving.
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Desirable Skills & Qualifications

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• Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, or related degree/HNC/HND qualification.
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• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
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• Formal Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement qualification.
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• ISO Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor qualification.
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• Experience working with standards such as ISO 9001 and other relevant ISO standards applicable to the organisation.
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• Experience within a regulated, manufacturing, engineering, technical, or quality-controlled environment.
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• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC), FMEA, process capability, and other quality improvement tools.
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