Continuous Improvement Specialist

Overview

Responsible for facilitating the continuous improvement process for all areas of the plant.  This person will build teams, develop CI plans and drive continuous improvement to include operations, maintenance, warehouse, materials planning and scheduling, and quality assurance.  The goal of this person is to lead continuous improvement in all aspects of the facility by utilizing the tools, methodology, and processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of continuous improvement for the plant organization.
• Develops and implements training plans for the plant to promote growth and improvements to the CI process
• Delivers measurable cost savings, tangible quality/safety/environmental/sustainable improvements to the plant.
• Standardizes measurement metrics for the plant to include KPI’s, OEE, Maintenance, Sanitation, Warehouse, Material management, and other operational functions.
• Supports development of capital plans and plant budgeting as needed to support CI.
• Implements KPI’s, OEE, and other measurements across the plant.
• Set up and validate measurement systems
• Leads regularly scheduled CI meetings with plant leadership to review and track progress.
• Trains & educates the plant personnel on methodologies of CI to include 5S, OEE, Lean, SPC, RCPS, 5W and others.
• Manage the Weever production management tool.
• Establishes and promotes a “do it right the first time” culture in the plant
• Communicates and influences change in processes and methods.
• Works with plant leadership to establish recognition and celebration to promote CI involvement.
• Actively pursues “best practices” to improve the plant

Safety Responsibilities:

• Report all injuries, unsafe conditions, unsafe acts & horseplay.
• Use proper lifting techniques
• Use handrails
• Use and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• #INDOAK

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, in STEM related field preferred.
• 1 to 3 years’ experience in CI or related field.
• Experience in food or CPG manufacturing
• Ability to build teams, lead cross functional groups, and drive performance.
• Must have skills in development and implementation of CI training.
• Willingness to obtain a LSS Green Belt within 1 year of employment.
• Basic understanding of Lean, SPC, 5S, Six Sigma, and other CI tools
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Must have project management skills, be detailed oriented & able to prioritize & manage multiple projects at one time.
• Understand how to relate and present materials to all levels of the plant.
• Must have advance computer skills in excel and other Microsoft Offices applications.
• Must be willing to travel at least 10% of the time.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Requirements are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.)

• Regularly required to sit or stand, reach, bend and move about the work environment, plants or offices.
• May be exposed to loud industrial type environments commonly found at plants.
• Varied temperatures from hot and humid to very cold.