Continuous Improvement Lead

Continuous Improvement Lead

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defence company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world's most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today's mission and stay ahead of tomorrow's threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defence.

Raytheon UK

At Raytheon UK, we take immense pride in being a leader in defence and aerospace technology. As an employer, we are dedicated to fuelling innovation, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of excellence.

Joining our team means being part of an organisation that shapes the future of national security whilst investing in your growth and personal development. We provide a collaborative environment, abundant opportunities for professional development, and a profound sense of purpose in what we do. Together, we are not just advancing technology; we're building a community committed to safeguarding a safer and more connected world.

Summary of Role:

"Customer Oriented Results & Excellence (CORE for short), is the RTX operating system, focusing on the drivers of competitive excellence — our people and our work processes. Our CORE Operating System puts customers first by aligning priorities, accelerating integration, and delivering measurable value. Using a shared language and methodology, we strengthen how we work together and empower employees to improve their work—every day."

Based at our Livingston site, the Continuous Improvement Lead is a stand-alone role focussed on continuous improvement in the Manufacturing environment. Using CORE improvement methodologies and working alongside our CORE Lead, you will be a champion for creating a culture of continuous improvement within Manufacturing.

Lead the development and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, standards and systems to improve safety, people, quality, delivery and cost performance. Own and facilitate CORE improvement activities, applying structured problem solving and continuous improvement methodologies to eliminate waste, improve flow and increase operational performance. Partner with cross-functional teams to design, implement and sustain robust manufacturing processes, ensuring improvements are embedded through effective standards and governance. Coach and develop employees at all levels in CORE principles, problem solving and continuous improvement to build organisational capability and maturity. Use data, process observation and performance analysis to identify opportunities, prioritise improvement activity and deliver measurable business outcomes. Champion a culture of accountability, standardisation and continuous improvement through regular Gemba engagement, process confirmation and collaborative leadership.

What your days will look like:

• Facilitating Value Stream Mapping workshops from planning and data collection through to future state design and implementation planning, helping teams transform how value flows to the customer.
• Leading CORE engagements to solve operational challenges, coach teams through structured problem solving and deliver sustainable improvements in manufacturing performance.
• Spending time on the shop floor coaching, observing work, verifying standards through Process Confirmation and supporting teams to identify and eliminate barriers to performance.
• Developing and maintaining manufacturing standards, process maps, PFMEAs, Control Plans and other operational documentation to support robust and repeatable processes.
• Working alongside Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain and Programmes to identify improvement opportunities, coordinate implementation activities and track delivery of measurable benefits.
• Supporting the development of manufacturing capability through training, coaching and practical application of CORE tools such as 5S, standard work, process capability assessment and continuous improvement techniques.

Candidate Requirements:

Essential :

• Experience of manufacturing, engineering, operational excellence or continuous improvement within a complex production environment, with the ability to identify opportunities and deliver sustainable improvements.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data, collaborate with stakeholders and influence positive change across multiple functions.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and coaching skills, with confidence engaging colleagues at all levels from the shop floor to senior leadership.
• Self-motivated, organised and accountable with the ability to manage multiple improvement activities and see them through to successful implementation.
• Commitment to professional development, including completing the CORE Expert accreditation programme. This includes international training and the successful delivery of practical improvement engagements demonstrating competence across CORE methodologies.

What we offer:

• Competitive salaries.
• 25 days holiday + statutory public holidays, plus opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days (37hr)
• Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 10.5% company contribution)
• Company bonus scheme (discretionary).
• 6 times salary 'Life Assurance' with pension.
• Flexible Benefits scheme with extensive salary sacrifice schemes, including Health Cashplan, Dental, and Cycle to Work amongst others.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity & shared parental leave

Work Culture:

• 37hr working week, although hours may vary depending on role, job requirement or site-specific arrangements.
• Remote, hybrid and site based working opportunities, dependant on your needs and the requirements of the role.
• A grownup flexible working culture that is output, not time spent at desk, focussed. More formal flexible working arrangements can also be requested and assessed subject to the role. Please enquire or highlight any request to our Talent Acquisition team to explore the flexible working possibilities.
• Up to 5 paid days volunteering each year

For this role the successful hire will need to be a permanent UK resident and successfully complete a baseline (BPSS) security and background check.

This position is classified as:

Hybrid: Employees who are working in Hybrid roles will work regularly both onsite and offsite. Ratio of time working onsite will be determined in partnership with your leader.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee's personal responsibility.

Requires broad management and leadership knowledge to lead project teams.

RTX

Raytheon UK is a landed company and part of the wider RTX organisation. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, USA, but with over 180,000 employees globally across every continent, RTX provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide and comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon.

Supporting over 35,000 jobs across 13 UK sites, RTX is helping to drive prosperity. Each year our work contributes over £2.7bn to the UK economy and offers a wealth of opportunities to 4,000 suppliers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We're investing in all corners of the country, supporting 29,040 jobs in England, 3,040 in Northern Ireland, 1,900 in Scotland and 1,600 in Wales.

RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.