Continuous Improvement Manager at Continental Mills, Inc. in Effingham, Illinois

Job Description:

About the job 

As a member of the Plant Leadership Team, the Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading continuous improvement initiatives in all areas of the site. This position will provide leadership, planning, technical direction, communication and coaching skills to ensure safe production of high-quality products to meet customer needs in the most cost-effective manner. The CI Manager plays an integral role on the company's TPM Resource Team, providing input into the future design and evolution of company manufacturing productivity and improvement activities.

Key Responsibilities: Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

• Drive continuous improvement to enhance costs, quality, and service.


• Promote a culture of continuous improvement with defined strategies and tactics.


• Train and implement methodologies like TPM, Six Sigma, Lean, and 5S for productivity improvements.


• Lead plant and company-wide continuous improvement initiatives, supporting TPM efforts.


• Focus on improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) through data analysis and downtime reduction.


• Support Quality systems and ensure "Right First Time" performance across the facility.


• Collaborate on internal and corporate initiatives to optimize manufacturing operations.


• Provide leadership for technical training, partnering with HR and TPM leadership on company-wide plans.


• Collaborate with HR to enhance facility Pay for Skills programs that drive business results.


• Prioritize safety in training, job design, ergonomics, and regulatory compliance.

Position Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals qualified with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong business and technical skills in processing, packaging, and logistics.


• Able to set expectations, track results, and foster accountability.


• Solve systemic problems by addressing root causes.


• Encourage teamwork and collaboration internally and externally.


• Manage multiple priorities based on business impact.


• Strong facilitation, written, and verbal communication skills.


• Effective in small and large group sessions; develop facilitation skills for CI Team Leads.


• Communicate clearly at all levels of the organization through proper channels.


• Creative, change-oriented CI process skills with a strong ability to learn.


• Knowledge of TPM, Continuous Improvement, and Lean Manufacturing.


• Lead, coach, motivate, and mentor teams effectively.


• Travel domestically approximately 25% of the time.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods.


• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly.


• Capable of bending, stooping, and climbing stairs and ladders as required.


• Manual dexterity for operating equipment and using tools in a manufacturing environment.


• Exposure to moderate noise, food dust, and temperature variations in a production setting while wearing PPE.

Qualifications:

• 4-year degree in manufacturing, engineering, food processing or equivalent experience.


• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in continuous improvement, engineering, manufacturing or a related field.


• Minimum of 3 years in management, in a manufacturing environment strongly preferred.


• Experience in a variety of manufacturing areas such as Production, Engineering, QA and Logistics within a consumer products company strongly preferred.


• Food background preferred.


• TPM, Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing experience preferred.

Get to know us:

• 
  A people-focused company that cares: We're a 90-year-old company with the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup and a focused eye on the future. As a midsized, privately held company with a portfolio of beloved food and beverage brands, our people are the most important ingredient in our success.


• 
  A valued and supported workforce: We place tremendous value in our employees and provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits to ensure our employees can create the best life for themselves. Benefits include a top tier health insurance plan with lower-than-average employee cost share, generous PTO, 401(k) match, and more.


• 
  An engaged and energized culture: At The Krusteaz Company, collaboration and ingenuity drive our fierce commitment to creating extraordinary product experiences that people love.


• 
  A place to grow and make a difference: An entrepreneurial spirit has been at the core of our company since the beginning, attracting self-starters who are curious and love to learn and to share ideas.

Benefits: We are proud to offer generous benefits including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance (starting at $50/month for employee-only coverage on the PPO Plan or starting at $25/month for employee-only coverage on the HDHP), 401(K) matching, 3 weeks of paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, 1 paid personal holiday, company provided life insurance and disability insurance, flexible spending account, healthcare saving account, voluntary accident insurance, voluntary critical illness insurance, and tuition reimbursement.

We hope you'll take the time to get to know us!

 The policy of The Krusteaz Company is to hire, train, and promote all persons in all job groups in accordance with law, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or military status, national origin, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law.

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