Operational Excellence Engineer

Operational Excellence Engineer

Westerham | Continuous Improvement | Full-Time | Permanent | Hybrid | Travel to other sites required

Drive improvement. Embed excellence. Make a lasting operational impact.

We’re looking for an Operational Excellence Engineer to join our Continuous Improvement team, supporting the delivery of the Fortune Brands Innovations Operating System across our GPG EMEAA business.

Reporting to the Operational Excellence Manager, this role will play a key part in driving continuous improvement initiatives, embedding Lean and Total Productive Maintenance methodologies, and supporting the delivery of annual Continuous Improvement plans across our manufacturing sites.

This is a highly collaborative role, working closely with operational teams to improve safety, quality, productivity, cost, and customer service performance. You’ll use data, coaching, structured problem solving, and practical improvement tools to help teams identify opportunities, close performance gaps, and build sustainable ways of working.

If you’re passionate about Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and engaging teams to deliver meaningful change, this role offers real variety, visibility, and the opportunity to make a measurable impact across our manufacturing operations.

What You Will Be Responsible For

You’ll support the delivery of Operational Excellence activity across the business, helping teams improve performance, embed best practice, and build a culture of continuous improvement.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Supporting the development and delivery of Operational Excellence initiatives across the GPG EMEAA business
• Driving continuous improvement activity to improve safety, quality, cost, delivery, and customer service performance
• Supporting the deployment of the FBIN Operating System using Lean, TPM, and Six Sigma methodologies
• Supporting Business Units in developing and delivering annual Continuous Improvement plans aligned to business objectives

Performance, Data & Problem Solving

• Monitoring operational KPIs across sites and identifying performance gaps
• Supporting teams to develop and implement corrective actions
• Conducting Operational Excellence maturity assessments and identifying opportunities for improvement through a data-driven approach
• Coaching teams in structured problem solving, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventative actions
• Producing reports and updates on Operational Excellence activity as required

Lean, TPM & Best Practice

• Delivering Lean and TPM training, coaching, and mentoring to colleagues at all levels
• Promoting Kaizen activity and facilitating the sharing of best practice across manufacturing sites
• Supporting the ongoing development of Operational Excellence tools, frameworks, standards, and training materials
• Supporting productivity planning using Zero Based Loss methodology

Operational Collaboration

• Ensuring operational review processes are maintained, including shift handovers and Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 meetings
• Working collaboratively with operational teams across multiple sites
• Providing support to other Fortune Brands manufacturing sites where required

For This Role We Would Need You To Demonstrate

You’ll be analytical, improvement-focused, and confident working with teams to influence positive change without always having direct authority.

Essential, you’ll bring:

• 3 to 5 years’ experience in a Continuous Improvement, Process Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering role within a manufacturing environment
• Strong working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Total Productive Maintenance
• Experience across at least two TPM pillars, such as Focused Improvement, Autonomous Maintenance, Training & Education, Quality Maintenance, or Supply Chain Optimisation
• A proven track record of delivering continuous improvement and Kaizen initiatives
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach
• Experience coaching and developing colleagues at all levels
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage teams without direct authority
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Six Sigma Green Belt or above, or a willingness to work towards this
• IOSH qualification or willingness to achieve this

Desirable, even better if you have:

• Power BI experience
• Engineering or Manufacturing Degree
• Project Management experience
• Experience within brassware or ceramics manufacturing
• Knowledge of ERP systems

What Your Colleagues Say About You

• Improvement-focused and always looking for a better way
• Analytical, structured, and data-led in your approach
• A strong communicator who can influence and engage others
• Collaborative and confident working across multiple teams
• Practical, proactive, and comfortable turning ideas into action
• Passionate about coaching others and sharing best practice

Core Competencies

• Cultivates Innovation: Always remain curious
• Active Learner: Take every opportunity to grow your own capability
• Collaborates: Use your network, sharing knowledge and skills
• Plans and Aligns: Make it relevant, make it purposeful

Our Purpose, Values & Behaviours

At the heart of everything we do is our belief in being a Home for All, empowering people to Make a Difference.

We:

• Think Big, Learn Fast
• Work It Together
• Make The Hard Call

We value individuals who can Think Big, Learn Fast by identifying opportunities to improve processes, embracing new ideas, and using data-driven insights to drive operational excellence; Work It Together by collaborating across teams to share best practice, solve complex challenges, and deliver sustainable improvements; and Make the Hard Call by challenging the status quo, prioritising high-impact initiatives, and making informed decisions that create long-term business value.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a business committed to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and creating meaningful impact across our manufacturing operations. This role offers the opportunity to work across multiple sites, influence teams at all levels, and support the delivery of improvement activity that drives real business performance.

If you enjoy problem solving, coaching others, using data to drive decisions, and embedding sustainable change, this is a great opportunity to help shape how we continue to improve and evolve.

Our Hiring Process

1. Initial discussion with our Resourcing Team
2. Interview process, 1 to 2 stages depending on role
3. Successful candidates notified and start dates confirmed

If you haven’t heard from us within 4 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Note for Recruitment Agencies

We manage our vacancies internally, preferring direct hires and referrals. When required, we engage agencies from our Preferred Supplier List. Speculative CVs from agencies not on our PSL will not be considered, and no introduction fee will apply.