Continuous Improvement Manager

Job Summary

This position is responsible for driving Continuous Improvement of processes and people at the Savage facility. Critical to success is identification of opportunities for improvement through physical observation, process expertise, collaboration, data mining, and statistical analysis. This role will lead cross-functional teams to formulate, execute, and validate improvement plans. A key output is development, monitoring, and analysis of Operations KPI’s, and using this to drive action.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow and enforce safe working practices at all times
• Identify, present, resource and execute projects that fall into one or many of the following categories:
• Cost reduction (Material yield, labor effectiveness, and other cost reduction)
• Capacity generation
• Efficiency and asset utilization maximization
• Safety and Quality Improvement
• Track capabilities of the facility, monitor utilization of assets, present solutions for increasing total output
• Assist with CapEx Projects by identifying opportunities requiring investment with a strategic or financial impact and assist with ROI calculation
• Drive yield improvement. Identify areas of waste generation: propose and implement solutions to reduce the 8-wastes (defects, excess processing, overproduction, waiting, inventory, transportation, motion, non-utilized talent)
• Implement Lean, Six-Sigma, and TPM methodologies to achieve business objectives
• Interact at all levels of the business to cultivate and nurture a culture of Continuous Improvement
• Work with plant teams to develop and ensure adherence to standard practices
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events: formulate and implement improvement plans extracted from key learnings
• Become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of Savage facility, drive operational synergies
• Drive improvement to Operations KPI’s
• Execute ad hoc projects as assigned

Required Skills

• Minimum education required: B.S. degree in Organizational Development, Process Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities required:
• 3-5 years of direct experience successfully leading and implementing process improvement initiatives utilizing the following concepts and techniques
• Lean manufacturing principles
• Six Sigma tools
• Visual factory/5S programs
• Experience driving operational excellence and improving processes
• Solid facilitation skills, with experience in training development and deployment
• Ability to recruit, lead and work with resources from cross-functional teams to meet objectives
• Must be proficient with MS Office Suite. Experience with ERP systems a plus.
• Self-starter able to conceptualize and drive initiative forward
• Positive attitude and motivated by contributing to the overall success of the team
• Willing to address difficult situations head on with patience and respect

Desired Skills

• Certification as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt preferred
• Statistical Analysis
• Project Management

Responsibility

• Works with little supervision, but work is reviewed. Exercises discretion within area of responsibility
• Recommends actions and alternatives to supervisor and others
• Position is directly responsible for generating revenue through cost savings and process optimization
• Decisions or actions may have a moderate impact on other departments and/or external relationships of the organization

Supervisory Responsibility

• Position is responsible for supervising or influencing the actions of others

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a CI Manager encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Physical Demands/Efforts

• Work requires occasional physical exertion including some lifting of objects weighing up to 25 pounds

Mental & Visual Demands

• Work performed by this position requires considerable mental concentration to effectively execute complex tasks
• Work requires continuous visual effort for extended periods of time

Work Environment and Hazards

• Employee works in a manufacturing setting with frequent exposure to heat/cold, dust, or other factors that may require protective equipment and still pose a hazard
• This position has regular exposure to hazards that could result in injury and loss of time at work
• Flexibility to work weekends as required
• Travel may be required for this position, to other Kettle Cuisine facilities, vendors, and other travel as needed

Americans with Disabilities Act

Kettle Cuisine complies with all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws. This means we will not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability in any phase of the employment relationship including application for employment, hiring, promotions and/or advancement opportunities, termination, compensation, training and any other conditions or privileges of employment.

Core Values

Kettle Cuisine takes the utmost pride in its people, products and reputation. Each employee is expected to understand and live our Core Values every day.

Honor Food – We create and produce the best tasting, safest, all natural recipes that strive for perfection in every batch, from bench to kettle

Honor Each Other – We seek to develop trusting, respectful and mutually rewarding relationships with all our team members and business partners

Honor Development – We recognize and nurture each other’s talents, strengths and interests in order to further strengthen and grow our team

Honor Innovation – We continually strive for creative and sustainable ways to achieve excellence