Global Continuous Improvement Manager
Scarborough - UK
Job Summary
Position Title: Global Continuous Improvement (MDI) Manager
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Grade:Grade 06
Requisition ID:42633
In every role McCainers are ambitious curious and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role.
This is a rare opportunity to join a high-performing global team at a pivotal moment in the evolution of McCains proprietary Manufacturing Operating System - MDI (McCain Driving Impact). Built entirely in-house and currently in active deployment across 30 plants worldwide MDI is still being shaped and this hire will have a genuine seat at the table in influencing its design.
Following internal promotion we are looking for a Global MDI Manager who can land running. You will partner with plant and regional leadership teams across the globe to deploy coach and sustain our Manufacturing Operating System - driving real growth cultural change and measurable cost improvements. This is not an execution role; it is a systems-thinking influence-led position for someone who has built and deployed CI frameworks from the ground up.
What youll be doing.
- Support and lead the global deployment of MDI - McCains Manufacturing Operating System - across a network of 30 manufacturing sites currently at Phase 23 of rollout.
- Facilitate the development of Daily Management Systems with cross-functional global leaders and their regional teams driving standards and sustainment through governance and assessment processes.
- Partner with Regional Manufacturing Leadership Teams to identify and deliver cost savings through manufacturing process improvement.
- Perform loss analysis and lead focused improvement initiatives using proven CI methodologies (TPM IWS Lean DMAIC A3 and equivalents).
- Coach continuous improvement skills and mindset at all levels of the organisation - building lasting capability rather than dependency.
- Lead strategic ad hoc projects that contribute to the financial and cultural objectives of the Global Manufacturing function.
- Contribute to the ongoing design and evolution of the MDI system itself - this role sits at a genuine inflection point in the programmes development.
- Stay at the forefront of manufacturing excellence innovation including the emerging integration of digital tools and process digitisation within MDI.
What youll need to be successful.
Experience & Technical Capability
- Demonstrable experience designing and deploying a Continuous Improvement or Manufacturing Operating System autonomously - you have built the playbook not just followed one.
- Deep working knowledge of TPM IWS or equivalent integrated work systems philosophy with Lean Black Belt or equivalent methodology as a benchmark.
- At least ten years of leadership or management experience within Continuous Improvement and Plant Operations with a minimum of five years leading and coaching at least two of the following: Autonomous Manufacturing (TPM) Focused Improvement (DMAIC 8D A3) Daily Management Systems (IWS HPWS WCM) Early Management / Vertical Start-Up or Skills Development / Work Simplification.
- FMCG manufacturing experience is essential; backgrounds in automotive or pharmaceutical manufacturing are also of strong interest.
- A Bachelors degree in Business Operations Management Science Engineering or a related field; Lean / CI certification and PMP designation are a bonus.
Leadership & Interpersonal Skills
- The emotional and organisational maturity to lead entirely through influence - you can negotiate with Plant Directors understand where to push and where to compromise and build credibility without direct authority.
- A self-starter who thrives with autonomy and operates effectively across global cultures with minimal supervision.
- Excellent facilitation communication and stakeholder management skills including the ability to engage and influence senior leaders.
- Comfortable in ambiguity - able to define a plan and create clarity in a fast-moving complex environment.
- Bilingual skills are an asset; multilingual capability is welcomed.
- Other Requirements
Willingness and ability to travel internationally (60% of the time).
Benefits.
Although we do encourage you to taste the goods youll be pleased to know we dont pay you in chips. Alongside your salary youll enjoy a range of benefits including:
- Private healthcare
- Annual bonus scheme based on both company and individual performance the ability to salary sacrifice into your pension
- Annual car allowance
- An excellent salary sacrifice pension scheme where well contribute double what you do up to a maximum of 12% of your salary
- 25 days annual leave from day one plus bank holidays (increasing with service) giving you plenty of time to recharge with the opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days holiday per year
- Life insurance cover providing peace of mind for you and your family
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay because the moments that matter outside of work matter to us too
- Medicash health cash plan helping you claim money back on everyday healthcare costs with access to a virtual GP and wellbeing support
- TELUS Health employee and family assistance programme offering full wellbeing support - including a 24/7 confidential counselling line legal and financial guidance and a range of employee discounts.
- Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
- A paid Chips In Volunteering Day giving you the opportunity to support projects that make a positive impact in our communities
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements where the role allows
And because youre joining a global business your career opportunities dont stop at the factory gate. Whether youre looking to deepen your expertise step into leadership or even explore opportunities internationally well support your growth. With ambitious plans for the future theres plenty of scope to develop your career with us.
About the team / location.
You will join a small high-calibre global MDI team operating within McCains Global Manufacturing function reporting directly to the Global Director MDI. The team works with Regional Manufacturing Leadership across all of McCains major geographies - a genuinely global remit with meaningful reach into plant-level operations worldwide.
This role is GB based but requires regular global travel. Ideally we would like you based near Scarborough North Yorkshire or Whittlesey Peterborough.
For more information connect with Cat Barnfather.
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
At McCain our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers collaborate as a team and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs driving innovation empowering people and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience.
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here youll find opportunities to learn grow and thrive. Join us and experience why were better together.
Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. Were big believers in the power of working together in personit helps us stay connected collaborate more effectively and grow as a team. At the same time we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most office-based roles follow a hybrid model with the option to work remotely two days a week. There may be exceptions depending on the role and location so we encourage you to speak with your recruiter for more details.
#LI-CB1
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity resilience and success and makes our business qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race religion color national origin sex age veteran status disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms) please let us knowand we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCains Global Privacy Policyand Global Employee Privacy Policy as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information isbeing handled here.
Job Family:Manufacturing; Engineering & Technical
Division:Global Operations and Growth
Department:Global MDI
Location(s): GB - United Kingdom : England : Scarborough
GB - United Kingdom : England : Whittlesey
Company:McCain Foods (G.B.) Ltd
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
McCain Foods | Our purpose - 'Celebrating real connections through delicious, planet-friendly food'. We supply delicious frozen French fries, potato specialties, and appetizers to retail and foodservice customers around the globe.