Continuous Improvement Engineer | Maintenance Systems, Standards & Reliability at Howdens in Runcorn, England, United Kingdom | Kablio

Role

Description

fmeca

reliability

group systems

root cause

improvement tools

health & safety

Be at the forefront of supporting the manufacturing processes to achieve maintenance excellence.
Be part of a team driving group systems, standards and reliability.
Assist in implementing the maintenance excellence strategy, focusing on driving improvements in equipment Reliability and Availability, and leading FMECA activities.
Collaborate with the Planning team to achieve Maintenance Excellence objectives.
Identify Improvement tools and techniques to support Maintenance Excellence.
Integrate Health & Safety for yourself and others into daily work and identify areas to improve continuously.
Playing a pivotal role in the implementation and refinement of our group systems and standards.
Offer coaching and support to implement effective Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques.

Requirements

cmms

fmeca

sap

electrical engineer

problem solving

team leadership

Experience in effective usage of a CMMS.
Ability to problem-solve and analyse, and lead/coach teams on use of the necessary tools.
Committed to root cause analysis and proactive continuous improvement initiatives.
A time-served Electrical/Mechanical Engineer or equivalent qualification (e.g., HNC in Electrical Engineering or an apprenticeship in Automation/Controls).
Experience in Maintenance Excellence tools and techniques, such as FMECA.
Ability to respond to changing priorities, displaying planning and organisation skills.
IT skills, including interfacing with PC-controlled machinery and working with preventative maintenance and SAP-based store systems.
Proven technical background in a high-speed manufacturing industry.
Confident and articulate communicator.
Proven interpersonal and technical skills with the ability to motivate individuals and teams.
Able to foster teamwork to maximise the effectiveness of the relationship between Engineering and Operations, bringing about performance improvements across the site
Working knowledge of H&S, environmental and legislative requirements.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package.
Free daily meal at on-site canteen
Share save scheme.
25 days holiday + bank holidays per year & opportunity to buy extra holidays.
Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
Competitive salary and bonus scheme
Exceptional reward and recognition events

Training + Development

Information not given or found

Interview process

Information not given or found

Visa Sponsorship

Information not given or found

Security clearance

Information not given or found

Company

Overview

£2.3 Billion

Annual Revenue

The company achieves consistent financial success with its revenue reaching over £2.3 billion annually.

£328 Million

Pre-Tax Profits

Annual pre-tax profits stand near £328 million, reflecting strong financial health and growth.

900 Depots

Extensive Distribution Network

The company operates over 900 depots across the UK and internationally, providing reliable service to builders and professionals.

1995

Year Founded

Established in 1995 with 14 depots, the company has grown into a major trade-only kitchen and joinery specialist.

Designs, manufactures, and stocks kitchen cabinets, joinery items, flooring, appliances, and hardware from UK sites for in-stock reliability.
Supports professional builders with locally empowered service across the UK and Europe.
Typical projects include full kitchen fits for homeowners and supplying cabinetry and hardware for builders and developers.
Expanded by launching 11 new kitchen ranges and increasing in-house production of fronts and panels in 2024.
Distinctive for its trade-only, in-stock model and large-scale manufacturing of components in Yorkshire and Cheshire.
Lamona, an integrated kitchen appliance brand launched in 2007, marks expansion into appliances.
Holds a Royal Warrant as supplier of fitted kitchens to the Queen since 2015, highlighting its reputation for quality.

Culture + Values

We do what we say, and we rely on each other to do exactly that, every single day.
Everyone at Howdens is responsible for maintaining our industry‑leading reputation.
The business should be worthwhile for all concerned – customers … suppliers … staff and their families.
Building trust within the company and with our loyal customers and suppliers.

Environment + Sustainability

42% Scope Emissions

Reduction Target

Target to reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 42% by 2030, moving toward a 90% reduction by 2050 (base year 2021).

£3.5M Solar Investment

PV Solar Initiative

Investment in solar panels expected to save ~1,000 t CO₂e annually, contributing ~8% of purchased energy savings.

39T Plastic Removed

Plastic Packaging Reduction

Initiative to remove 39 tonnes of plastic packaging in 2024, saving ~110 t CO₂e.

40% HVO Target

Fleet Sustainability

Target to double HVO use to 40% by end-2025, with 15 LNG vehicles and 4 electric trucks in operation.

Net zero target date: by 2050
Zero to landfill achieved across all UK operations in 2023 and maintained in 2024
Sawdust-to-heat biomass boilers convert over 10,000 tonnes sawdust annually, supplying energy equivalent to 10,000 households
Installed waste-heat recovery saving ~600 t CO₂e/year; Power Radar meters identified ~500 t CO₂e/year savings
100% renewable grid electricity at manufacturing sites; 96% renewable energy at depots
Supplier engagement: Scope 3 is 95% of total emissions; engaged 100+ suppliers (covering ~40% of spend), >50% submitting emissions data and aligned to targets
All timber products FSC or PEFC certified; Greenwich matt kitchen frontals are 100% recyclable

Inclusion & Diversity

31 Wellbeing Representatives

Trained in 2023

Represents the number of trained wellbeing representatives supporting mental and women's health initiatives.

Partnered in 2023 with Wellbeing for Women and ANDY’s Man Club for workplace mental-health webinars
Plans in place to expand wellbeing rep network beyond initial 31
No gender‑related statistics publicly disclosed

Articles

Careers at Howdens

Sustainability at Howdens

Howdens Overview

Role

Description

fmeca

reliability

group systems

root cause

improvement tools

health & safety

Be at the forefront of supporting the manufacturing processes to achieve maintenance excellence.
Be part of a team driving group systems, standards and reliability.
Assist in implementing the maintenance excellence strategy, focusing on driving improvements in equipment Reliability and Availability, and leading FMECA activities.
Collaborate with the Planning team to achieve Maintenance Excellence objectives.
Identify Improvement tools and techniques to support Maintenance Excellence.
Integrate Health & Safety for yourself and others into daily work and identify areas to improve continuously.
Playing a pivotal role in the implementation and refinement of our group systems and standards.
Offer coaching and support to implement effective Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques.

Requirements

cmms

fmeca

sap

electrical engineer

problem solving

team leadership

Experience in effective usage of a CMMS.
Ability to problem-solve and analyse, and lead/coach teams on use of the necessary tools.
Committed to root cause analysis and proactive continuous improvement initiatives.
A time-served Electrical/Mechanical Engineer or equivalent qualification (e.g., HNC in Electrical Engineering or an apprenticeship in Automation/Controls).
Experience in Maintenance Excellence tools and techniques, such as FMECA.
Ability to respond to changing priorities, displaying planning and organisation skills.
IT skills, including interfacing with PC-controlled machinery and working with preventative maintenance and SAP-based store systems.
Proven technical background in a high-speed manufacturing industry.
Confident and articulate communicator.
Proven interpersonal and technical skills with the ability to motivate individuals and teams.
Able to foster teamwork to maximise the effectiveness of the relationship between Engineering and Operations, bringing about performance improvements across the site
Working knowledge of H&S, environmental and legislative requirements.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package.
Free daily meal at on-site canteen
Share save scheme.
25 days holiday + bank holidays per year & opportunity to buy extra holidays.
Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
Competitive salary and bonus scheme
Exceptional reward and recognition events

Training + Development

Information not given or found

Interview process

Information not given or found

Visa Sponsorship

Information not given or found

Security clearance

Information not given or found

Company

Overview

£2.3 Billion

Annual Revenue

The company achieves consistent financial success with its revenue reaching over £2.3 billion annually.

£328 Million

Pre-Tax Profits

Annual pre-tax profits stand near £328 million, reflecting strong financial health and growth.

900 Depots

Extensive Distribution Network

The company operates over 900 depots across the UK and internationally, providing reliable service to builders and professionals.

1995

Year Founded

Established in 1995 with 14 depots, the company has grown into a major trade-only kitchen and joinery specialist.

Designs, manufactures, and stocks kitchen cabinets, joinery items, flooring, appliances, and hardware from UK sites for in-stock reliability.
Supports professional builders with locally empowered service across the UK and Europe.
Typical projects include full kitchen fits for homeowners and supplying cabinetry and hardware for builders and developers.
Expanded by launching 11 new kitchen ranges and increasing in-house production of fronts and panels in 2024.
Distinctive for its trade-only, in-stock model and large-scale manufacturing of components in Yorkshire and Cheshire.
Lamona, an integrated kitchen appliance brand launched in 2007, marks expansion into appliances.
Holds a Royal Warrant as supplier of fitted kitchens to the Queen since 2015, highlighting its reputation for quality.

Culture + Values

We do what we say, and we rely on each other to do exactly that, every single day.
Everyone at Howdens is responsible for maintaining our industry‑leading reputation.
The business should be worthwhile for all concerned – customers … suppliers … staff and their families.
Building trust within the company and with our loyal customers and suppliers.

Environment + Sustainability

42% Scope Emissions

Reduction Target

Target to reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 42% by 2030, moving toward a 90% reduction by 2050 (base year 2021).

£3.5M Solar Investment

PV Solar Initiative

Investment in solar panels expected to save ~1,000 t CO₂e annually, contributing ~8% of purchased energy savings.

39T Plastic Removed

Plastic Packaging Reduction

Initiative to remove 39 tonnes of plastic packaging in 2024, saving ~110 t CO₂e.

40% HVO Target

Fleet Sustainability

Target to double HVO use to 40% by end-2025, with 15 LNG vehicles and 4 electric trucks in operation.

Net zero target date: by 2050
Zero to landfill achieved across all UK operations in 2023 and maintained in 2024
Sawdust-to-heat biomass boilers convert over 10,000 tonnes sawdust annually, supplying energy equivalent to 10,000 households
Installed waste-heat recovery saving ~600 t CO₂e/year; Power Radar meters identified ~500 t CO₂e/year savings
100% renewable grid electricity at manufacturing sites; 96% renewable energy at depots
Supplier engagement: Scope 3 is 95% of total emissions; engaged 100+ suppliers (covering ~40% of spend), >50% submitting emissions data and aligned to targets
All timber products FSC or PEFC certified; Greenwich matt kitchen frontals are 100% recyclable

Inclusion & Diversity

31 Wellbeing Representatives

Trained in 2023

Represents the number of trained wellbeing representatives supporting mental and women's health initiatives.

Partnered in 2023 with Wellbeing for Women and ANDY’s Man Club for workplace mental-health webinars
Plans in place to expand wellbeing rep network beyond initial 31
No gender‑related statistics publicly disclosed

Articles

Careers at Howdens

Sustainability at Howdens

Howdens Overview