Continuous Improvement Manager

Job Purpose

Develop and successfully execute performance and reliability improvements across the facility. Serving as a key technical and operations resource, deliver improved, sustainable line performance through enhancing production and maintenance operating systems and margin improvement/cost savings on operational projects.

Essential Functions

• Manage the continuous improvement program and all operational and workplace organization standards
• Utilize TPM and lean flow methodologies to optimize asset and employee effectiveness along with workplace organization to ensure ideal production rates, parameters, and formulas are established and met
• Develop and manage reliability improvement plans for employees and assets
• Lead and facilitate mindset training programs to support reliability improvement plans
• Lead testing and startup for packaging materials and equipment; assist startup lead for all new projects
• Provide technical operations support for capital projects to ensure effective early management/vertical startup
• Manage new product commercialization initiatives for operations
• Serve as technical liaison between functional groups including production/maintenance employees, leadership, marketing, sales, R&D, and other facilities
• Lead cost improvement efforts, ensuring annual cost target achievement is met, specifically focused on manufacturing/operations
• Support plant leadership in annual operating and capital plan development
• Facilitate training to leadership and associates for key problem solving/continuous improvement methodology tools
• Assist team in creating and sustaining an environment of continuous improvement and fact-based decision making
• Support food safety program, quality standards, and legality of manufactured products
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications (Education, Experience, Competencies)

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in industrial or mechanical engineering, business, or finance or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or engineering, preferably with food packaging and bakery equipment, packaging materials (film, corrugate, etc.), and related manufacturing systems/processes
• Ability to lead and support multiple projects and strategic initiatives concurrently and independently
• Complex problem solving and critical thinking skills, leveraging process-driven and root cause mentality
• Lean-minded thinker
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong knowledge of product quality, FDA, OSHA, and EPA regulations