Job Summary:
Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader who actively participates, leads and implements process improvement initiatives across our bakery ingredient manufacturing operations. This role will focus on optimizing production processes, reducing waste, enhancing product quality, and ensuring operational excellence through hands-on work within Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI methodologies.
Department: Manufacturing
Reports to: Plant Manager
Travel: 10-15%
Key Responsibilities:
- Track, trend and report key performance indicators (KPIs), such as OEE or performance effectiveness, yield, waste, downtime analysis and trending, batch rates, Pounds per man-hour and implement corrective actions with and within the manufacturing operations and support departments when needed to positively impact said KPIs.
- Participating, facilitating and leading Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives across production, packaging, quality, maintenance and sanitation departments.
- Analyze production data, workflows, identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies to drive process optimization.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement, create or modify Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best practices.Assist (as needed) in training and validating the expected change in said SOPs and best practices
- Partner with Quality, Maintenance, and Operations to identify and resolve process-related issues.
- Actively use CI tools such as Kaizen events, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and Root Cause Analysis to improve safety, quality, and efficiency. Perform hands-on training on these tools and validate the effectiveness of utilization of the CI tools.
- Develop and conduct CI training programs to build and sustain a culture of continuous improvement at all levels as needed.
- Evaluate and justify capital improvement projects that enhance throughput and reduce cost.
- Drive compliance with food safety, health & safety, and regulatory standards (e.g., BRC, AIB, FISMA, FDA, SQF, HACCP).
- Other duties to meet the goals of the organization.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Food Science, Operations Management, or related field (preferred) or combination of education/experience.
- 5+ years of CI or operations experience in a food or bakery manufacturing environment.
- Certified in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher preferred) or demonstrated impact with operational results within a manufacturing department or support department.
- Proven track record of participating, developing and leading successful CI projects with measurable results (outside of CI belt program)..
- Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to influence across levels.
- Knowledge of baking processes, raw materials, and production equipment is highly desirable.
- Experience with ERP/MES systems and CI software tools is a plus.
Key Competencies:
- Leadership & coaching ability
- Data processing, trending, and reporting
- Problem-solving mindset
- Strong data analysis (Excel, Power BI, or similar)
- Gemba/work floor visual management techniques
- Process discipline
- Change management
