33 Lean Manufacturing Principles jobs in Ireland

About Keelings

Keelings is a 100% Irish owned family business passionate about fresh produce. Operating across Ireland, the UK, and Europe, we grow, source, and supply top quality fruit and vegetables. Our success is built on innovation, sustainability, and strong partnerships - powered by our dedicated people.

Role Overview

Lead and oversee automation and continuous improvement projects. Work with site leaderships and other project stakeholders to develop projects and programmes, execute and deliver to a high standard.

Main Responsibilities

• Collaboration with site leadership to define, prioritize and develop project plans designed to improve processes and performance in all production facilities.
• Proactively ensure that project scope is correct, identify any potential risks and advise on contingency plans contained in the project plan.
• Manage and address internal and external customer expectations through regular project status updates and reports, meeting deadlines and objectives agreed in the scope.
• Manage any project budget and schedules.
• Performs time studies and workflow analysis for process improvement.
• Identify goals for Continuous Improvement events and potential quantifiable savings.
• Build and develop stakeholder relationships to ensure the success of projects
• Utilise best practice tools for project execution and management.
• Foster and develop a team community in operations which allows team members to effectively share information and collaborate on potential automation solutions and/or issues.

What You'll Need

• Must have demonstrable significant experience in continuous improvement project lifecycle management, cost control and scheduling
• Excellent IT skills
• Strong communication and Interpersonal skills essential
• Minimum Degree in Engineering, Operations Management or related field
• Project Management Qualification preferred

Benefits:

• Staff discount at Keelings Farm Shop and subsidized canteen
• Free Onsite parking with access to electric chargers
• Wellness Initiatives such as wellness week

Keelings Values

• People Matter
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Passion for Achievement

Inclusion & Diversity Statement

In Keelings we value all perspectives and knowledge that our colleagues bring to our business. We are committed to forming a diverse and inclusive team where all can share their unique experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all cultures and backgrounds and are dedicated to forming an environment of inclusiveness and diversity where all can thoroughly feel a sense of belonging.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

If you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know at

Recruitment Process

1. CV Submission & email acknowledgment of receipt

2. Phone Screening

3. 1st Interview

4. 2nd Interview

5. Outcome & Feedback

Keelings Careers

Keelings Strategy & Values -

Role Summary:

The Continuous Improvement Engineer is responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing strategies to enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality. This role leverages Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies to drive sustainable improvements across production and business processes.

Full Time | Permanent | Monday to Friday

Hours of work: Monday to Thursday 8am - 4:30pm & Friday 8am - 3pm.

Key responsibilities include:

· Develop and deliver programs improving efficiency and quality in day-to-day operations within the facility

· Provide mentorship within the Organisation to integrate Lean methodology within the manufacturing and Support functions

· Provide tactical coaching on Lean methodology and Continuous Improvement Techniques (Six Sigma, etc.)

· Continuously challenges the status Quo, understood as a day-to-day activity within the plant

· Play an active role in the identification and achievement of cost reductions on an annual basis

· Develop and maintain KPIs with the aim of meeting or exceeding annual objectives

· Report Plant Continuous Improvement performance to site and company management.

· Interact with the global team with a view to sharing and obtaining knowledge that can be used to drive improvements in Efficiency, Quality and Innovation

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and integration of improvements.

· Monitor KPIs and report progress to senior management.

· Train and mentor staff on new processes and improvement methodologies.

· Support new product development and process scale-up initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related field).
• 3+ years of experience in process improvement, manufacturing, or operations.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, and other CI tools.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred.
• Proficient in data analysis tools (Excel, Minitab, Tableau, etc.).

Skills:

• Analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making.
• Process mapping and optimisation.
• Project management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Change management and coaching.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Monaghan

Salary approx. £50,000

An excellent opportunity for an experienced Continuous Improvement Engineer to join a leading manufacturing business at an exciting stage of growth.

Reporting Operations Director you will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing training programmes that enhance employee skills, drive process efficiency, and support a culture of Lean thinking.

Top 3 Things to Know About this Job:

1. Work within a forward-thinking Lean Manufacturing environment
2. Attractive salary and excellent benefits package
3. Play a key role in continuous improvement across the business

The Role

• Develop, implement, and manage training programmes aligned with Lean Manufacturing principles
• Coordinate onboarding and job-specific training for new employees
• Work closely with department leads and CI teams to identify training needs and skill gaps
• Organise and deliver Lean training workshops (5S, Kaizen, SMED, Standard Work, VSM)
• Maintain and update training materials, manuals, and compliance records
• Monitor and evaluate training effectiveness through feedback and assessments
• Support cross-training and job rotation to increase workforce flexibility
• Track training completion and certification status across departments

The Person

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or equivalent experience)
• 3+ years' experience in a manufacturing environment (Lean experience preferred)
• Strong knowledge of Lean tools and concepts (5S, Kaizen, Standard Work etc.)
• Experience in training coordination

Next Steps

For further information, and to apply for this role, please contact Zoey Rooney.

Visit our website for a full list of current engineering and manufacturing opportunities.

Expert, confidential recruitment advice

Salary is usually negotiable; details are to be used as a guide and are based on factors such as experience and expertise.

Position Title: Continuous Improvement Coordinator - Westport

Department: Operational Excellence

Supervisor: General Manager

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The Continuous Improvement Coordinator role is designed to coach and guide the implementation of the Operational Excellence System (OES) which is a Lean Six Sigma deployment into the Smurfit WestRock organization. This role is the direct conduit between the tactical/operational and strategic initiatives in the organization. This position is a support to the site leadership team to facilitate and drive change in a fast paced and "ever changing" environment leveraging his/her strong interpersonal and influencing skills.

Candidate will complete Smurfit WestRock Yellow Belt & Green Belt certification programme.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Align with strategic objectives for the Division/Region/Plant and Execute OE strategy to accomplish them.
• Responsible for the training/coaching of belts at the local plant level to achieve savings goals
• Execute LSS projects to meet division savings goals.
• Focus on driving improvements in revenue and driving cost out of the business through more effective processes, elimination of non-value added or duplicate efforts, waste, and other related defects in the process.
• Train teams to utilize lean six sigma tools and methodology.
• Provide and share foundational best practices.
• Ensure alignment to the system across plants.
• Coach and assist plants in their Zero Loss Thinking and Analysis
• Ensure plants are prepared for the launch of the OE initiatives
• Perform audits and assessments for the evaluation of OE Coach and assist plants in their Zero Loss.
• Identify training needs/gaps prior to and during the implementation.
• Raising issues that need addressed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Critical Competencies

• Foundational experience in Continuous Improvement is desirable but not required.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred but not required.
• Coaching and communications skills
• Professional maturity – work with all levels

Education

• 4-year degree in Business, Science or a related field.

Experience

• Previous work experience /placement in a manufacturing environment is desirable.
• Project management experience is desirable
• Intermediate user of Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, IF functions, Pivot Tables etc.)

Continuous Improvement Coach

Our client, a global biopharmaceutical manufacturer are currently recruiting for a Continuous Improvement Coach to join their team on a permanent basis. As Continuous Improvement Coach, you will support site readiness and drive continuous improvement once operations begin. The focus is on embedding Lean principles, digital transformation, and operational excellence to improve safety, quality, reliability, productivity, cost, and employee engagement.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the implementation and maintenance of the daily management system (DMS) utilizing digital LEAN tools
• Establish the integration and flow of metrics cross functionally site wide. Maintain and sustain the technical aspect of the Digital Integration Tool and Lean Management System
• Leverage results of systems assessment with associated feedback processes and follow-up governance mechanisms to coach key roles in the organization and implement best practices
• Attend all functional and flow team huddles to help offer live coaching and give feedback to identify waste or process improvement items. Ensure full integration and alignment to KPIs for each huddle area
• Lead the establishment of the CCI & OE systems within assigned areas, including the components and their interactions
• Facilitate the deployment of system standards
• Facilitate and execute the process of systems governance and assessment – i.e., health, maturity, and performance – as well as the continuous improvement of the systems
• Capture benefits of CCI program and report to site & executive leadership teams
• Contribute to the CCI&OE program strategy within the assigned area of responsibility (site/function)
• Collaborate with central CCI&OE function to provide input into the CCI & OE systems design
• Lead and / or partner on a variety of engagements, within the site/function as well as network level within Manufacturing & Quality
• Serve as CCI Coach partnering with Business Area Leads to facilitate the chosen methodology for the given project (e.g., Lean Lighthouse, Kaizen Event)
• Provide support to ensure robust Organizational Change Management and Monitoring Plans are in place to sustain improvements
• Engage routinely with sponsors to provide status and escalate where appropriate as issues arise
• Ensure Lean principles and tools are integrated into both project execution and solution design
• Partner with site leadership/ other functions, including site lead team and other governance forums, to identify and prioritize major productivity improvement opportunities

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, science, IT, or related field
• 3–5 years' experience leading improvement projects
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Master Black Belt or similar level of Lean Coach / Practitioner Certification
• Knowledge of Lean/CI methodologies
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and change management skills.
• Experience with digital transformation initiatives

The Role:

Our client, an international medical device company, is seeing an experienced Lean leader to collaborate with C level leadership, to develop and drive ongoing process improvements within the organization's Lean framework and strategic roadmap.

Responsibilities:

• Spearhead transformation initiatives in critical operational areas.
• Utilize structured problem-solving techniques and process mapping to assess challenges, develop solutions, and oversee execution.
• Enhance and implement tiered visual and daily management systems to optimize factory operations.
• Organize and lead rapid-improvement workshops to generate immediate, lasting efficiencies on the production floor.
• Evaluate and refine transactional processes to reduce inefficiencies, enhance productivity, and cut costs.
• Provide training on Lean methodologies, including daily operations management, structured problem-solving, workplace organization (6S), quick changeover (SMED), inventory control (Kanban), and operational equipment efficiency.
• Share best practices and benchmarking insights from both internal and external sources.
• Drive measurable improvements in key performance areas: safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree is advantageous.
• Proven experience to engage both leadership and frontline teams in Lean deployment
  .
• Demonstrated history of delivering sustainable operational improvements.
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing environments with a strong emphasis on Lean methodologies.
• Expertise in rolling out Lean frameworks, achieving measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and supply chain agility.
• Proficiency in value stream enhancement techniques such as quick changeover (SMED), visual and daily management, standard work, and continuous improvement tools.
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt certification or equivalent preferred.
• Strong leadership skills with a proactive mindset and decision-making ability.
• Effective at influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis and Six Sigma methodologies is a plus.
• Project management certification (PMP) or equivalent experience is desirable.

About Your New Employer:

• Specialises in packaging solutions for the medical, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and life sciences industries.
• Collaborate with a global team to drive improvements in efficiency, quality, and innovation.
• Opportunities for mentorship and professional growth.

About Your New Job as CI Engineer:

• Improve efficiency and quality in day-to-day operations within the facility.
• Integrate Lean methodology within manufacturing and support functions.
• Provide coaching on Lean methodology and Continuous Improvement Techniques (Six Sigma, etc.).
• Engage in continuous improvement activities within the plant.
• Identify and achieve cost reductions annually.
• Develop and maintain KPIs to meet or exceed annual objectives.
• Report plant Continuous Improvement performance to site and company management.
• Share and obtain knowledge to drive improvements.
• Ensure alignment and integration of improvements.
• Train and mentor staff on new processes and improvement methodologies.
• Assist with process scale-up initiatives.

What Skills You Need as CI Engineer:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering: Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related field.
• Experience: 3+ years in process improvement, manufacturing, or operations.
• Lean and Six Sigma knowledge: Strong understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, and other CI tools.
• Certification: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred.
• Data analysis proficiency: Skilled in tools like Excel, Minitab, Tableau, etc.
• Analytical thinking: Data-driven decision-making.
• Process optimization: Expertise in process mapping and optimization.
• Project management: Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Change management: Effective in change management and coaching.

What's on Offer for CI Engineer:

• Minimum €50k, DOE, with an open range.
• Full-time, permanent role with Monday to Friday schedule (Monday to Thursday 8am – 4:30pm & Friday 8am – 3pm).
• Opportunities for training, mentorship, and career growth.

What's Next:

Apply now by clicking the "Apply Now" button or call me, Karolina on If the job isn't quite right but you are looking for something similar, please get in touch. We also have multiple Temp, FTC, and Contract jobs available.

The Company

Cognex is the global leader in the exciting and growing field of machine vision. With over $900 million of cash in the bank and no debt, we are a financially strong international company with a culture that maintains the fast-paced, creative environment of a startup. Our employees, proudly called "Cognoids," take their work seriously, but don't take themselves seriously. Our Work Hard, Play Hard, Move Fast culture recognizes our employees for their innovation, perseverance and hard work in a fun, rewarding, and quirky environment.

We are working on a hybrid schedule.

The Team

As part of the CFO organization, the Continuous Improvement team drives a culture of operational excellence by applying Lean Six Sigma principles to eliminate waste, streamline processes, and improve outcomes for customers, vendors, and employees. This high-impact role delivers measurable gains in quality, speed, and cost through structured problem-solving and close partnerships across the business. We also build organizational capability by providing training, mentorship, and exposure to executive leadership, preparing future leaders while delivering sustainable results.

Job Description

The Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist will sit in the Commercial Strategy & Analytics team, taking direction from the Senior Continuous Improvement Manager, and will play a crucial role in shaping operational excellence at Cognex. As CI is new to the organization, we seek someone experienced in driving change, balancing the roles of teacher, analyst, and change mentor. You will lead the adoption of tools and methodologies that improve workflows, apply theory of constraints to accelerate outcomes, and deliver measurable cost savings. This role also offers significant exposure to senior leadership and strong opportunities for career growth.

Essential Functions

• Develop and Implement Core Methodologies
  : Build and deploy continuous improvement tools to drive targeted results in our end-to-end processes aligned with organizational goals.
• Lead Complex Process Improvement Initiatives
  : Facilitate teams in setting goals, benchmarking, and delivering measurable performance gains.
• Manage Stakeholder Engagement
  : Build strong relationships to ensure sustainability and adoption of improvements.
• Facilitate Performance Assessment
  : Conduct assessments of performance data, interpreting analyses, and translating insights into actionable recommendations.
• Identify Opportunities for Improvement
  : Use analytics to uncover inefficiencies and apply methods like Kaizen for ongoing enhancement.
• Lead Change Management Initiatives
  : Utilize your understanding of business dynamics and continuous improvement to guide change management efforts across multiple functions.
• Coordinate Cross-Functional Implementation
  : Oversee end-to-end implementation of complex process changes with clear documentation and controls.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen principles with proven application in diverse business settings.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools to evaluate processes, uncover inefficiencies, and translate insights into strategic improvements
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to dissect complex processes and develop actionable, efficiency-focused solutions.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams, inspiring engagement, and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement.
• Skilled in project and change management, ensuring alignment of initiatives with organizational strategies.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments with flexibility and resilience.

Minimum Education and Work Experience Required

• Education
  : Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field
• Experience
  : 5+ years of relevant experience in process management, execution, optimization, or related areas (e.g., data analytics)
• Certifications
  : Lean, Business Process Management Professional, Change Management (e.g., Prosci), Six Sigma, and/or Agile certifications; Green Belt preferred.
• Travel Requirements
  : Ability to travel up to 25% to achieve key business outcomes.