Continuous Improvement Engineer

The Continuous Improvement Engineer will lead process optimization, efficiency improvement, and waste-reduction initiatives across the manufacturing facility. This role drives operational excellence through Lean, Six Sigma, and data-driven problem-solving techniques, ensuring stable, scalable, and cost-effective processes that support the production of high-quality protein bars. The position offers significant influence and leadership expectations, partnering closely with Operations, Production, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce downtime, improve yields, and enhance throughput.

• Lead Continuous Improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and root-cause analysis methodologies.
• Facilitate value stream mapping, 5S, Gemba walks, and waste reduction events.
• Develop and implement standard work, visual management, and process documentation.
• Establish KPI dashboards for OEE, yield, throughput, scrap, rework, and downtime.
• Analyze production data to identify loss drivers and prioritize improvement projects.
• Partner with Production to improve chocolate coating efficiencies, bar forming, mixing, tempering, and wrapper output.
• Develop strategies to improve line speed, reduce changeover time, and enhance batch consistency.
• Drive reduction in material waste, including protein powder, chocolate coatings, inclusions, and film/wrapper usage.
• Work with Maintenance to implement predictive and preventive programs that reduce equipment downtime.
• Partner with Quality to eliminate defects, improve specification adherence, and support audit readiness.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to align capacity planning, scheduling, and raw material utilization.
• Support R&D with commercialization of new products, ensuring smooth scale-up from pilot to production.
• Train and mentor employees in Lean tools and problem-solving methodologies.
• Promote a culture of operational discipline, continuous learning, and data-driven decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects with clear timelines, deliverables, and ROI targets.
• Manage implementation of new processes, equipment improvements, and automation enhancements.
• Present project outcomes and savings to leadership through structured reporting.

• Continuous Improvement
• Six Sigma
• Lean Manufacturing
• Value Stream Mapping
• Process Improvement

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Process Engineering, or Operations within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in food, beverage, confectionery, or protein bar/CPG production preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean systems in a factory environment preferred.
• Experience with OEE measurement tools and production analytics preferred.

The role is based in a food manufacturing facility, where the Continuous Improvement Engineer will be one of the first employees at the new site, playing a crucial role in its success. This facility offers an opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing company that is transitioning from using co-manufacturers to building its own manufacturing facility.

This is a Permanent position based out of Nashville, TN.

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $115000.00/yr.

Have good benefits, great company to work for. They are a new company to Lebanon and their headquarters is in Sweden.

This is a fully onsite position in Nashville,TN.

This position is anticipated to close on Mar 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

Salary : $90,000 - $115,000