Process Improvement Professional

Milliken is a successful global business, recognised as an international leader in textile products and specialty chemicals. They have significant manufacturing facilities in USA, UK, Europe and Asia. Their sales offices, development laboratories, Research and Development and technical support centres extend Milliken’s presence throughout the world. With three sites in the UK, Bury, Wigan and Middleton, Milliken Industriasl Ltd has built itself into a significant business with products that reach into many markets.

Everywhere you look, you will find Milliken products in all aspects of life and you will probably touch their products in a variety of ways almost every day.  Their high-grade speciality fabrics which offer comfort and practicality whilst providing essential protection are used in military service, space and extreme environment exploration and many contact sports and tournaments. Their carpets and linens are found in many of the finest hotels, restaurants and offices and their protective flooring products are providing entrance doorway solutions in many commercial and public premises.

Milliken firmly believes that ethical practices will continue to drive our success as a company, which is why we do more than talk about doing the right thing. The focus, commitment and actions Milliken take raises the bar for ethical standards and has earned us a place on Ethisphere Magazine's list of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" nineteen years in a row, including 2025.
 
Just look around. You’ll see Milliken.

The Role:

Reporting to the QA & PI Manager, the PI Professional is a key role with key responsibility for delivering performance improvements across the manufacturing processes. As such, it supports the profitable development of Manufacturing Operations in Bury. 

Functional areas of responsibility cover Production, Quality and Process Improvement, working closely with all other departments across the business.

The PI Professional role requires the need to provide influence and effective communication across the Milliken Textiles Division.

Reporting to the Technical Manager, duties will include:

Process Improvement:

• Working with the QA & PI Manager, setting clear goals and objectives in line with the global and regional strategy and expectations.
• Problem identification, root cause analysis and resolution to improve product yield, quality and process control and, ultimately, improved financial performance.
• Continual review of existing processes and manufacturing methods to identify and implement equipment and process changes (using sound project management skills) to achieve highest quality at an optimal cost, ensuring consistency with the Milliken quality standards.
• To oversee capital projects ensuring they are implemented on time, within budget and in accordance with the agreed scope.
• To work effectively with cross functional teams to accomplish project and operational KPIs.
• To actively contribute to the development process of new products / product re-engineering and ensure their smooth and timely implementation.

Health, Safety & Environment:

• To ensure site conformance to the Company Safety Policy and HSE legislation.
• To work with the Safety coordinator in promotion of safe working practices across the site.

Production/ Quality:

• To support the Plant to ensure it consistently manufactures high quality products.
• To champion the drive towards world class manufacturing standards.

Engineering & Maintenance:

• Ensure close cooperation with engineering to ensure efficient use of available resources and cross pollination of skills, experience and ideas.
• Identify potential replacement or expansion of machinery and formulate investment proposals translating into Capital Expenditure Proposals and local investment plans as appropriate.

Financial:

• To apply variance and trend analysis to problem identification / root cause analysis and for budget/actual expenditure and control accordingly.

People / Team Management:

• To encourage idea generation and execution by developing a “can do” culture.
• To maintain high standard of team working.

Skills Required:

• You’ll already be working within a technical continuous improvement role you MUST have at least 2 years’ experience and able to demonstrate applied results.
• Degree educated or with proven relative experience.
• Technical understanding of textiles from yarn preparation to fabric finishing with a knowledge of fabric formation would be an advantage but not essential.
• Strong IT skills including MS Office and CAD software.
• Good commercial acumen.
• Good understanding of quality and environmental management, business Ethics and safe systems of work.
• Strong communication skills and ability to communicate at all levels.
• Integrated team player with a strong sense of ownership and commitment.
• Analytical with good problem-solving skills and an understanding of statistical process control.
• Driving licence and the ability to travel.

Some domestic and international travel is a requirement of this role.

Want to join our team? Then we look forward to your application!