Continuous Improvement Industrial Engineer

From our home in Janesville, Wisconsin, Impact Confections has been delighting candy lovers with bold flavors and timeless favorites for generations. We’re proud to be the makers of WARHEADS®, the iconic sour candy that dares taste buds everywhere, and the classic Melster® Candies, known for nostalgic treats like Circus Peanuts and seasonal delights that families have cherished for decades.

SUMMARY

The Continuous Improvement / Industrial Engineer is responsible for improving manufacturing performance through data analysis, process optimization, labor efficiency improvements, and KPI-driven operational initiatives within a food manufacturing environment. This role combines Lean Manufacturing principles with Industrial Engineering methodologies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, improve food safety compliance, optimize workflows, and improve overall equipment and labor effectiveness.

The engineer will develop, monitor, and analyze manufacturing KPIs while leading continuous improvement projects that support safety, quality, delivery, sanitation, and cost objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement projects across production operations.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, 5S initiatives, root cause analysis, and waste reduction activities.
• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies within manufacturing and packaging processes.
• Implement standardized work and process controls to improve consistency and operational performance.
• Drive cost reduction, waste reduction, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Support food safety and GMP compliance through process improvement activities.

Industrial Engineering & Process Optimization

• Conduct time studies and labor utilization analysis.
• Develop and maintain labor standards and production rates.
• Analyze workflow, plant layout, material flow, and line balancing opportunities.
• Support capacity planning and production optimization efforts.
• Recommend automation and process improvement opportunities.
• Evaluate staffing requirements and line efficiencies based on production demand and operational capability.

Line Rate Validation & Production Optimization

• Validate manufacturing and packaging line rates to ensure achievable and sustainable production standards.
• Conduct performance studies to establish accurate run rates, efficiencies, and throughput expectations.
• Monitor actual versus target production performance and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, and Quality teams to reduce downtime and improve line reliability.
• Analyze changeover performance and support SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Die) initiatives.
• Support startup, commissioning, and optimization of new production lines and equipment.

Processing Centerline Configuration & Process Control

• Develop, implement, and maintain processing centerlines for manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Establish operating parameter standards for critical process variables
• Monitor adherence to established centerlines and identify deviations impacting performance or product quality.
• Work closely with Quality and Operations teams to improve process capability and product consistency.
• Support statistical process control (SPC) initiatives and data-driven process validation.
• Assist in creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and operational best practices for process control.

Manufacturing KPI Management

• Develop, track, and report manufacturing KPIs such: OEE, Downtime, Production attainment, etc.
• Build dashboards and visual management systems for real-time KPI tracking.
• Analyze KPI trends and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
• Support daily, weekly, and monthly operational performance reviews.
• Work closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Sanitation, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams.
• Train employees on Lean Manufacturing tools, centerline adherence, and operational best practices.
• Support implementation of new equipment, packaging systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Participate in food safety, GMP, HACCP, and audit readiness initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline. At least 3–5 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment, with exposure to Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has supervisory responsibilities.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Strong understanding of:
• Lean Manufacturing
• Industrial Engineering principles
• Time studies
• Process flow analysis
• Statistical analysis
• Root cause problem solving
• OEE systems
• Centerline management
• SPC methodologies

Experience with ERP, MES, or manufacturing reporting systems.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required.

Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar dashboarding tools preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to communicate with co-workers and/or read instructions or written standards in English.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Effective communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple improvement initiatives simultaneously.
• Data-driven decision-making mindset.
• Strong attention to detail and process discipline

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Lean Manufacturing tools and Six Sigma Green Belt certification.