Continuous Improvement Manager

The ASR Group® family of companies make up the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar. The companies produce a full line of grocery, industrial, foodservice and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group® companies operate five sugar refineries, located in California, Maryland, Louisiana, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, ASR Group® companies operate sugar refineries in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and, with a joint venture partner, Italy. The companies also farm sugarcane and own sugar mills in Mexico and Belize. The ASR Group® portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Florida Crystals®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle's®, Sidul® and Whitworths®.  ASR Group® companies also produce and market Tellus®, a single-use, compostable tableware and foodservice product made from plant fibers, including sugarcane. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Leads the CI agenda across UK ASR Operations, overseeing CI Leads and improvement initiatives while partnering with global CI teams to standardise tools and processes. Delivers measurable business results through direct ownership, stakeholder influence, cross-functional leadership, and the practical application of CI methodologies in a high-impact, self-directed role

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Excellence

• Standardise efficient operating processes by identifying global best practices and implementing them locally.
• Diagnose processes, identify waste, and work with line management to develop performance improvement proposals.
• Lead site CI assessments and regularly update the site CI roadmap in line with the global CI roadmap.
• Support the global development and implementation of a standard Operating Management System that defines clear standards and a consistent culture across Global Operations.

Project Management

• Facilitate CI project teams in line with the standard Operating Management System.
• Track agreed projects to ensure timely action, strong management support, and delivery of expected benefits.

Employee Engagement and Capability Building

• Champion the use of CI methods and tools across assigned sites.
• Build site CI capability through coaching, mentoring, and training in CI methods and practices.
• Guide UK CI Leads and site leadership on targeted CI projects and activitie
• Provide internal CI consulting on projects such as process mapping, value stream mapping, process design, performance metrics, ROI analysis, and project management.

Planning & Performance Management

• Maintain and communicate key CI performance indicators and dashboards for the site, and measure, analyse, and report results to Operations Leadership.
• Use appropriate measurement, analysis, and evaluation methods to identify and document CI improvements accurately.
• Maintain the site CI project database, tracking progress and reporting performance to key stakeholders.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Professional Experience – Significant manufacturing experience gained through progressively senior roles.

Continuous Improvement Experience – Proven success applying Continuous Improvement tools and methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, TPS, or Theory of Constraints.

Food or Similar Industry Experience – Experience in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or CPG manufacturing is preferred.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Related Discipline
• Six Sigma Green Belt (Black Belt preferred) or Lean Leader/Facilitator Certification

TRAVEL

• The position will require 10-15% travel; primarily domestic and occasionally international.

At Tate & Lyle Sugars, our goal is to be the most admired sweetener Company.

Service Excellence - Be the industry's Gold Standard by a relentless focus on reliability, providing products with superior quality and excellent customer services. Efficiency and Sustainability - Eliminate inefficiency to be a sustainable, low cost producer and to generate fuel for reinvestment. Value-Add - create strategic advantage and enhanced profitability through value-added products and services. The foundation of our values is Talent and Culture as we aim to build, retain and motivate a winning team.