Continuous Improvement Cluster Lead

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

The Continuous Improvement Cluster Leader witll translate the global Continuous Improvement strategy into a cluster strategy supporting one plant in Virginia and another plant in Georgia. Will provide a framework for the functions to identify and deliver CI and organizational effectiveness within the plants. This position is based in Harrisonburg, Virginia and requires travel to the sister plant in Georgia as required.

Key responsibilities

Lead the execution of CI standards and best practices throughout the region, partnering with the regional functional leads and the Plant Leads

Ensure CI tools are successfully deployed across the cluster and into the plants

Track and measure regional CI performance and targets, highlighting / escalating discrepancies to the plant leadership, Operations VP and the global CI lead (where required)

Carry out both internal and external best practice and benchmarking, in line with global guidance to drive improvements and promote GIO wide application of tools and solutions

Ensure the right talent and capabilities are in place to meet strategic objectives in region and across the network

Deliver training as agreed with the VP of Manufacturing sub-region / Plant Leader / CI lead to build capability across all functions. Provide coaching and hands on support in region to build practical experience and ongoing capability

Develop and maintain CI People System in cluster, including ensuring OEE, Employee engagement, Leadership, Talent and capability building

Develop a CI culture in cluster focusing on reviewing and improving measurement to better inform and promote timely decisions and actions

Working with the global CI lead Input into defining the global continuous improvement strategy

Engage regional COO leadership and their team to cascade and embed a culture of continuous improvement

Lead CI capability building in cluster with the global CI lead and HR, identify capability gaps and develop solutions

Partner with Functional SMEs in region to test CI tools and methodologies and feedback improvements globally

Partner with the Global CI lead to develop, implement and maintain the Management system across all functions

Work with cross functional teams, ensuring they are engaged to focus on the specific priority areas and are supported with the appropriate tool

Qualifications and skills

• BS/MS in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial or similar)
• 10 Years in a project engineering or improvement role with prior experience and demonstrated proficiency leading events utilizing established process improvement methodologies
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Food, consumer goods, chemical, or pharmaceutical industry experience preferred
  
  

The pay range for this position is $107,757 - $181,563 in Annual Salary. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition, this position is also eligible to earn a performance-based incentive compensation. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement. This job posting is anticipated to expire on 12/10/2025.