Continuous Improvement Manager

Continuous Improvement Manager

Full Time / Permanent / Site-based / Stoke

Salary up to £47,500 plus excellent benefits

Water Plus the UK's largest water retailer, has a brand new opportunity for an experienced Continuous Improvement Manager, reporting to our Head of Growth, Strategy, Performance and Insight.

This is a site-based role, with a minimum of 4 days in our Stoke office (ST4 4TW).

What is the role?

As our Continuous Improvement Manager you'll be focusing on turning insights into action, driving real and measurable improvement across the business.

Taking the outputs of deep-dive analysis, you will lead the design and delivery of pragmatic improvements that make a measurable difference to business performance and customer service.

You'll work collaboratively to solve operational challenges, improve processes and embed better ways of working.

What are some of your key responsibilities?

• Translate analytical findings and root cause insight into structured, actionable and results-driven improvement plans.
• Design, lead and drive the delivery of small to medium-scale process improvements (primarily non-technical).
• Challenge existing ways of working constructively to unlock better, faster, and more customer focused outcomes.
• Lead and influence cross-functional and virtual teams to embed changes in day-to-day processes, working with the central training team to develop and implement training.
• Provide direction, development and line management to the Continuous Improvement Analyst.
• Work collaboratively with the Customer Experience and Operations Manager and wider teams to co-create solutions.
• Run process mapping sessions, identify waste or failure points, and implement improvements using Lean / Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies.

What are we looking for from our Continuous Improvement Manager?

In addition to experience embedding a customer-first mindset into all improvements. You'll ensure changes reflect customer needs and expectations, we're looking for:

Essential:

• Strong experience in business improvements, operations, or change roles
• Proven track record of designing and implementing process changes with demonstrable and measurable benefits
• Familiarity with structured improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, PDCA etc.)
• Experience in change enablement – including embedding improvements in operational teams through influencing behaviours, supporting training design and delivery, and managing resistance to change
• Ability to build strong relationships and influence at all levels
• Excellent problem-solving, facilitation and communication skills
• Comfortable working with cross-functional teams in a dynamic environment

Desirable:

• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or more
• Experience in service delivery, customer experience, or operational excellence in service-led teams

If this sounds like you – don't delay, apply today

What does Water Plus have to offer you?

• A competitive salary up to £47,500 per annum, dependent upon experience
• 37.5 hour working week, Monday to Friday. After a successful probationary period, you will have the option to work 1 day a week from home.
• Access to the tax efficient company Salary Sacrifice EV Scheme.
• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata if you join us part way through our annual leave year), a day off for your birthday, plus all Bank Holidays
• Our annual leave year runs from 1st April to 31st March, you will have the option to buy or sell up to 5 days holidays each February
• Free Healthcare cashback Plan (re-claiming for spend on optical treatment or dental care and more). You can upgrade your membership to include a partner and children.
• Pension scheme with employer contributions matched up to 6%; Life Assurance.
• Confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to discounts and offers from 350+ top brands.
• Access to Water Plus Academy to develop personally and professionally, incl support with professional qualifications and study leave.

What is a Water Retailer and who is Water Plus?

When parliament approved The Water Bill in 2014, it declared that the water market could become competitive for non-domestic customers. It ruled that water wholesalers could no longer provide the retail element for their non-domestic customer. Water Plus is a Water Retailer, and we went live in 2017 as a joint venture between United Utilities and Severn Trent and our customers range from small independent businesses to some of the biggest names in the UK.

A few years on, we are an award-winning trusted water retail partner for around 350,000 non-domestic customers across England and Scotland. Amongst other accolades, we have recently won the UK Customer Satisfaction Award for Sustainable Customer Service for 2025, for our work with customers and employees – the second UK Customer Satisfaction Award we have won in two years.

Please note: We may close this advert at any time. You are encouraged to apply as soon as you possible. If you have any questions regarding your application, please email us at -

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to £47,500.00 per year

Application question(s):

• What is your salary expectation?
• What is your notice period?
• Please briefly summarise your experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, PDCA, etc

Licence/Certification:

• right to work in UK without employer sponsor now or future (required)
• ability to attend the Stoke Office, 5 days a week Mon-Fri (required)
• experience in business improvements or change roles (required)
• familiarity with structured improvement methodologies (required)
• experience in change enablement (required)

Work Location: In person