What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Continuous Improvement position at Carolina Beverage?
Join The Brew Crew – Crafting Quality with Intention!
With roots dating back to 1874, Cold Spring Brewing is a leader in contract beverage production, serving customers nationwide from our state-of-the-art facilities in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest. As one of the most diverse and flexible beverage manufacturers in the country, we produce everything from teas and energy drinks to malt-based beverages.
Our Opportunity: Director of Continuous Improvement
Status: Full Time Day Shift
Hours: 8-hour shift
Schedule: Monday - Friday
Compensation: $90,000 - $120,000 per year depending on experience
Summary
This position is responsible for establishing strategies and leading the plant’s continuous improvement initiatives. The role provides leadership, planning, technical direction, communication, and coaching to ensure the safe production of high-quality products that meet customer requirements in the most cost-effective manner.
What You Will Be Doing
- Promote and lead a strong continuous improvement culture by defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling processes and equipment while empowering employees.
- Build organizational capability by training and educating the organization and implementing continuous improvement methodologies, including but not limited to Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen events, Lean, OEE, and related approaches.
- Provide oversight for discrete categories of OEE, including tracking downtime results, improving data integrity, and developing data-driven improvement plans.
- Support safety as a top priority through training, job design, ergonomics, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure product quality by establishing and managing systems that promote “right-first-time” performance and embedding this philosophy within continuous improvement activities.
- Lead plant-wide problem solving and prioritize improvement opportunities to increase throughput.
- Develop and maintain standard work for each step in the production process.
- Identify and recommend opportunities to improve production performance through new equipment, enhanced training, improved maintenance practices, and related initiatives.
- Develop, govern, and maintain an internal corrective action program to close gaps that may occur in the production process.
- Provide support on the production floor, as needed, to facilitate implementation and sustainment of improvements.
- Partner with management and employees to develop, standardize, and sustain procedures that improve product throughput.
- Collaborate with employees across all departments to identify and eliminate potential sources of error within production processes.
- Adhere to and comply with Good Manufacturing Practices as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
- Perform all aspects of the position to the highest quality standards.
- Report any nonconformances to the immediate supervisor promptly.
- Maintain knowledge of applicable quality standards and expectations. If clarification is needed, consult the immediate supervisor before proceeding.
- Demonstrate knowledge of all safety requirements applicable to the position prior to initiating any task.
- Comply with all company safety rules and established procedures.
- Take personal responsibility for individual safety and the safety of others by identifying, correcting, and/or assisting with correction of hazards.
- Use company resources efficiently by applying conservation best practices in accordance with company policy and Good Manufacturing Practices as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
- Report waste or poor conservation practices to the immediate supervisor promptly.
- Continuously seek improved practices and processes and communicate recommendations to the immediate supervisor.
What You Need to Bring
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience: 7-10 years of progressive experience in a high-speed manufacturing/production environment required, including 3-5 years leading continuous improvement/Lean initiatives and coaching teams. Prior people leadership and cross-functional project leadership required.
- Certificates, Licenses or Technical Knowledge: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt preferred (Green Belt minimum). Strong working knowledge of Lean tools (Kaizen, VSM, standard work, 5S, visual management), problem solving (A3/8D), and performance systems (OEE, KPI dashboards, root cause analysis). ERP/MES and data analytics experience a plus.
- Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated ability to lead change and build a continuous improvement culture. Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate business goals into a CI roadmap and prioritized project portfolio. Excellent coaching/facilitation skills (Kaizen, problem solving, leader standard work) with the ability to influence at all levels. Advanced analytical and process engineering mindset with strong written and verbal communication. Proven project/program management skills, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail. Thorough knowledge of manufacturing operations, safety expectations, and quality systems; ability to work effectively across departments and drive sustained results.
Job Setting
This role is based in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Employees will experience varying physical demands throughout the day, including standing for extended periods, walking on occasionally slippery floors, and handling equipment or materials.
Due to the nature of the facility, temperatures may fluctuate based on outside weather conditions including heat and cold.
The work environment can be loud, and hearing protection (ear plugs) is required. Additionally, to ensure safety and hygiene, employees must wear hairnets and refrain from wearing jewelry while on the production floor.
Alcohol is an ingredient in products we produce. We are unable to guarantee specific positions, work schedules or work environments that do not include working around alcohol.
Physical Requirements
- Lift and/or move up to 100 pounds occasionally
- Regular bending, stooping and lifting up to 60lbs.
- Extended standing on hard surfaces.
- Vision required: distance, close, color, peripheral and depth perception
- Frequently required to stand, talk or hear, use hands to finger, feel and reach with hands and arms.
- Occasionally required to sit, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
- Occasionally exposed to working on elevated platforms, confined spaces, with fumes or airborne particles and/or toxic/caustic chemicals, and his pressure steam.
- Frequently exposed to working near mechanical parts and exposed to vibration.
What’s In It For You?
At Cold Spring Brewing, we believe in supporting the well-being of our team members both inside and outside the workplace. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Health Insurance: Competitive medical, HSA and FSA plans, dental, and vision coverage options for you and your family. Coverage begins the 1st of the month following 60 days.
- Paid Time Off: Paid Time off and paid holidays to ensure work-life balance.
- Retirement Savings: 401(k) with company match to help you plan for the future beginning 1st of the month following 6 months
- Bonuses
- Employee Assistance Program: Support services for personal, work, and life challenges.
- Life and Disability Insurance: Life insurance, AD&D insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage.
- Free Uniforms
- Referral Bonuses
At Cold Spring Brewing, you’ll be part of a company that values innovation, quality, and teamwork. We’re committed to providing you with the resources and support to grow your career, all while fostering a culture of safety, sustainability, and employee empowerment.
If you're ready to make your mark in an industry-leading company and take your career to the next level, join the Brew Crew today!
Salary : $90,000 - $120,000