Job Information
Unifrax Performance Improvement Manager in Derby, United Kingdom
Job Requirements
Why Work for Alkegen?
Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we’re delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before.
With over 60 manufacturing facilities with a global workforce of over 9,000 of the industry’s most experienced talent, including insulation and filtration experts, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.
Alkegen offers a range of dynamic career opportunities with globe-spanning reach. From production operators to engineers, technicians to specialists, sales to leadership, we’re always looking for top talent ready to bring their best. Come grow with us!
Main Purpose of Role
The main purpose of the Performance Improvement Manager is to drive organisational excellence by leading initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, productivity and innovation across various processes and functions. They are tasked with identifying opportunities for improvement, and the delivery of the plants year-on-year cost objectives through the implementation of effective and sustainable improvement projects and solutions, whilst driving a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the plant. The goal of the Performance Improvement Manager is to drive sustainable profitable growth, competitive advantage, and customer satisfaction through ongoing optimisation of systems, processes, people and practices.
Key Responsibilities
To be a consistent role model for safety within the plant and wider Alkegen organisation, championing safety as a core value, fostering a safety-conscious culture, and encouraging employee involvement and engagement in safety initiatives.
To conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards and risks in the workplace. This involves evaluating processes, equipment, and work environments to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and standards.
To lead and participate in investigations of workplace incidents, accidents, or near misses to determine root causes and prevent recurrence. This involves conducting thorough investigations, analysing findings, and implementing corrective actions to address underlying issues.
To partner with operations, planning, and technical teams to integrate continuous improvement practices into daily operations.
To have overall responsibility for the delivery of the plants annual cost saving objectives and partnering with key functions to ensure these objectives are realised.
To partner with the plant leadership team to ensure the successful implementation of X-matrix, process deployment (Hoshin Kanri).
To lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at improving process efficiency, quality, and productivity and cost reduction.
To provide training, coaching, and mentoring to employees at all levels of the plant to build capabilities in continuous improvement methodologies, problem-solving techniques, and change management practices.
To lead efforts to identify inefficiencies in manufacturing processes and workflows and implement improvements to streamline operations. This may involve conducting process analyses, mapping current processes, and redesigning workflows for optimal performance.
To support quality management initiatives, helping to ensure products meet or exceed customer expectations. This involves implementing quality control measures, supporting with problem solving, conducting audits, and driving a culture of quality and excellence.
To utilize Lean Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate waste, reduce variation, and improve process performance.
They oversee and support operational improvement projects from initiation to completion, ensuring that project objectives are met within scope, budget, and timeline constraints. This includes defining project goals, developing project plans, allocating resources, and monitoring progress.
To partner with operations, technical, planning, quality, and finance to analyse operational data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, root causes of issues, and opportunities for improvement.
To establish process metrics to track progress and measure the impact of operational initiatives and to ensure the delivery of plant key performance indicators.
To facilitate change management initiatives to ensure successful implementation of process improvements and organizational changes. This involves communicating with stakeholders, addressing resistance to change, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
To manage and identify plant risks, through the creation of a risk dashboard, generation of risk reduction actions and ensuring prompt closure of specified actions.
To optimise the plants, supply chain processes, including procurement, inventory management, and logistics, to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
To identify and implement technology solutions to automate processes, enhance data analysis capabilities, and improve overall operational efficiency. This may include the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Business Intelligence (BI) tools, or process automation software.
To facilitate Kaizen events, workshops, and improvement blitzes to rapidly identify and implement process improvements with cross-functional teams. These events foster collaboration, creativity, and innovation in problem-solving.
To support initiatives to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility within the organization's operations. This could include reducing waste, conserving resources, and implementing environmentally friendly practices.
To support and conduct root cause analysis to identify the underlying reasons for process inefficiencies or quality issues. This involves using tools such as Fishbone diagrams, 5 Whys, or Pareto analysis to determine the primary causes of problems.
To prepare reports and presentations for senior management and stakeholders to communicate progress, results, and recommendations related to performance improvement and cost saving initiatives. This may involve analysing data, summarizing key findings, and presenting insights in a clear and actionable manner.
To lead the planning, implementation, and sustainability of 5S initiatives throughout the plant, ensuring adherence to standards, providing resources and support, monitoring progress, and driving continuous improvement.
To partner with the Technical Manager to develop and implement TPM strategies and initiatives aligned with plant goals and objectives. This involves creating a roadmap for TPM implementation, setting targets for equipment reliability and performance, and defining key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress.
To work with the manufacturing engineering team to review and improve the processes for costing of new components and ensure that new products are optimised during new product introduction.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a leadership/supervisory role within a manufacturing organisation.
Experience of delivering productivity improvements through effective and robust people management.
Proven people management skills in a diverse and demanding environment with the ability to lead, motivate and enact change within the team.
Demonstrates excellent communication skills at all levels with internal stakeholders.
Demonstrates excellent time management and analytical skills.
Experience of coaching and developing and mentoring a team to ensure they are reaching their capabilities.
ILM Level 3 (or equivalent qualification)
IOSH Managing Safety certificate (or equivalent qualification)
High levels of proficiency with Microsoft office – specifically Outlook, Word and Excel
Ability to work under pressure and meet numerous deadlines.
Demonstrates reasonable experience of lean manufacturing, techniques and tools.
Demonstrates a high level of ability in identifying inefficiencies and implementing process improvements.
Knowledge of quality management systems and an understanding of ISO9001 requirements.
Demonstrates an ability to make data-driven decisions i.e. to analyse data, interpret metrics, and make informed decisions based on quantitative and qualitative information.
Strong collaborative skills to work effectively across departments and with different teams.
Demonstrates an ability to allocate resources efficiently and manage multiple priorities.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Experience within the vacuum forming or process driven manufacturing process.
Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Experience of working with ERP/MRP systems
Production Planning and Control Experience
Batchelors Degree in Business Management, Manufacturing Engineering or closely related subject
NEBOSH Certificate
Alkegen is a specialty materials leader serving mission-critical systems that the world is focused on for the future, including: battery technologies, electric vehicles, filtration media, and specialty insulation materials that enable customers to reduce fossil fuel consumption, save energy, and live greener.
We help people breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before.
Our experience speaks for itself. We are a vertically integrated manufacturer with the global reach and talent to solve your most demanding applications.
With 60 manufacturing facilities and 9,000+ highly skilled employees located around the world, we can solve any challenge.
Dedicated to sustainability and human health, we are uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.