Continuous improvement manager job description

T he Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We're a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

No matter the brand, we're united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally . Bringing this vision to life is our team of 39,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we're transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion - and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen - there's only one thing to do: join our table and let's make life delicious!

Our Culture of Ownership, Meritocracy & Collaboration

We're not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. We empower our people at every level - from entry-level intern to senior leader - to own their work. We share a responsibility to think like Owners - to be mindful of the collective and sustained success of Kraft Heinz - which we apply to every situation, every day. As part of Kraft Heinz, you're supported to grow and achieve. You're expected to bring your authentic self to work every day, to lead with humility, and drive outstanding performance at every level - and you'll be rewarded. You're given opportunities to leave a mark and build a legacy. But you won't do it alone. You're supported by passionate teammates along the way, and our collective, collaborative spirit fuels our incredible progress.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities of the Role

Continuous Development of the productivity decks

Generate cost reduction opportunities and implement process improvement to reduce manufacturing costs

Coordinate major initiatives across Supply Chain to insure optimum cost. This coordination will include, but not be limited to, purchasing, distribution, manufacturing, research & development, packaging and engineering

Implement and train MOS & Lean / Six Sigma processes to plant location personnel.

Participate in the QRMP yearly audit and assist in the development of procedures and corrective actions

Assist with the implementation of the QRMP (Quality Risk Management Process) system and operational standards as outlined in the plant accountability list in order to achieve targeted RCR

Share and implement best practice initiatives across Supply Chain

Coordinate the progression of KHMS using TRACC as a tool

Develop and maintain performance (KPI) visuals

Ownership of the Priority One system; responsible to ensure all users are trained and that all projects are current

Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and tracking system (where needed)

Develop a waste analysis for all lines

Lead and coordinate 5S initiatives plant-wide

Develop and manage the department's operating budget

Manage and evaluate the Continuous Improvement staff including but not limited to performance management and employee development, etc.

Partner with business leaders on implementation of process improvement (Six Sigma / Lean)

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree is required; Preferably in Industrial Engineering or related discipline

3-5 years of operations experience in a manufacturing environment is required

2+ years CI leading CI projects or transformation projects required

Black Belt Certification preferred; Green Belt Certification required

Demonstrated experience overcoming the inevitable problems and obstacles that surface to meet project timelines and cost initiatives

Creativeness and desire to not to be bound by past solutions and to think outside the box in order to drive productivity throughout the organization

Ability to communicate and deal with a range of responsibilities is critical while managing multiple task

Working knowledge of enterprise business principles and practices

Presentation Skills

Mentoring & coaching skills

Location(s) Champaign Plant Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact for assistance.

The incumbent is responsible for the management of the Quality Assurance Department, CI process for the plant and leading and facilitating cross-functional project teams. Identify and manage resources required to successfully execute projects and communicate team progress. Apply Continuous Improvement tools to improve process capability and eliminate defects. Educate, coach, and mentor Green Belts and others on CI philosophy and application. Lead and coordinate the design, implementation and maintenance of a Business Management system encompassing quality and environmental standards. Manufacturing methods and processes are established and reviewed to minimize total cost and improve quality and productivity. The individual must be technically knowledgeable, conscientious, and detail-oriented with excellent communication skills. The individual must exhibit strong product knowledge, and have a good understanding of engineering and manufacturing processes. Using competency in advanced engineering principles and theories, interpret, plan, organize and execute unique engineering problems that have an important impact on major company programs, in more than one to several engineering disciplines.
Required Qualifications

Background and Skills · A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business Administration is required · 2+ years of Quality and process control experience required · 1+ year Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience required · 5+ years of manufacturing experience in a technical fabrics/textile industry · The work of the Quality and CI Manager is oriented toward conceptual design in engineering analysis and by nature is engaged in the search for and development of equipment designs which satisfy the needs of engineering customers ·The incumbent must possess strong organizational skills, as well as be thorough detail-oriented and be able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously · Ability to manage, motivate, maintain full staff, and develop and effective team. The position is highly visible to all employees and the incumbent must affect leadership through integrity, knowledge, and personal example · Excellent communication skills are essential as well as ability to communicate, interact effectively and successfully with others · Ability to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems · As an individual researcher, he/she conceives and conducts research into areas of considerable scope and complexity. This could involve developing new equipment and/or manufacturing methods. The problem must be approached through a series of complete and conceptually related studies, which are difficult to define and require unconventional or novel approaches as well as sophisticated research techniques. · Required to have a valid driver's license for business travel, approximately 10% of the time

Additional Description

Principle End Results • Oversees lab activities. • Establish methods and processes to minimize cost while maximizing productivity and quality. • Apply CI tools to projects and processes to improve quality, reduce defects, and thereby improving costs. • Organize, lead, and facilitate cross-functional project teams such as Quality Department and Lead and optimize lab testing activities. • Identify and manage resources, including cross-functional team members, to successfully execute projects. • Communicate team progress to all levels in the organizations individually and/or other avenues. Be an active and aggressive leader of change. • Conceive, create, develop, initiate and present innovative engineering ideas for viable new equipment designs and mechanisms for production machinery to promote more efficient and profitable processes. • Define the problems of a requesting department, and translate them into engineering solutions through innovative and advanced engineering approaches to respond in an efficient and timely manner to production needs and requirements. • Direct the preparation of accurate project cost estimates, and predict anticipated performance from newly engineered and designed machinery, equipment and production systems to ensure compliance with objectives. • Act as a project manager for all projects under his/her jurisdiction by assuming responsibility for all phases of project work that expedite and fulfil stated goals. • Keep abreast of advances in engineering technology and machine design encompassing the several engineering disciplines through texts, articles, papers, reports and field trips. • Facilitate and coordinate the development, implementation & maintenance of ISO 9001 & 14001 standard (Environmental standard). • Oversee loss analysis and value added data collection. Responsible for cost deployment activities and cost savings reporting for plant. • Drives CI with Operations Management & Supervisor teams using Lean/Kaizen/TPM/5S techniques. Will coordinate (with support from Operations Manager) daily reviews of projects/corrective actions for CI. • Lead and support Green Belt, Yellow Belt certification program & the CI Steering Committee. • Facilitates cost improvement in all areas with direct focus on DWT Cost Improvement. • Effective implementation and training on the data required to review the plant performance with respect to Safety, Quality, Delivery and cost. • Act as a link between Operations, Planning, Quality and Engineering to focus on specific problems and solve those using Continuous Improvement methodologies and training. Supervise teams of salaried and hourly employees during specific projects. • Maintains open, candid and continuous communications with personnel from all functions to ensure that essential information is disseminated to insure accomplishment of critical /CI objectives.

Legal Statement

Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will partner with the plant's entire team to ensure the roll-out of the CPS-- establishing a zero-loss manufacturing culture where everyone, every day, learns and improves something, delivering World Class sustainable performance.
You Will:
Guide CPS roll-out; lead the cultural shift to managing through pillars Provide leadership and subject matter expertise in the ConAgra Performance System (CPS) best practices.Coordinate and support plant pillar and platform leads (5S, Safety, Planned Maintenance, Focused ImprovementEngage all associates through hands-on mentoring, audits, etc.Monitor Sprint Plan timeline and engage pillar leads and plant leadership to ensure successful completion Participate in pillar activities (e.g., Kaizen events) Lead the Reliability Improvement Plans (RIP); establish action plans; and follow-up meetings Instill a "hands-on," systematic approach to problem solving ("Gemba") Work with teams (i.e. Project Engineers, Contractors, Technicians, Peers, Other CPS Pillars leads, etc.) to plan, implement, lead and/or execute actions to help with CPS implementation for our Plant.Lead and engage team members to in improve systems, processes and procedures.Coach teams in personal accountability, giving and receiving feedback, root cause analysis, problem solving, decision making, trade-off analysis, interpersonal communications and external interactions Troubleshoot problems and implement corrective actions through root cause analysis.Work with the Operations teams to create an Autonomous Maintenance work culture and run to centerline.Promote CPS concepts everyday through coaching and auditing across the organization.Facilitate and react to non-routine and crisis situations.Respond to and use communication tools including cellular phones.
You Must Have:
Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Organizational Development, Engineering or other related fields3+ years manufacturing experience3+ years experience in Continuous Improvement environment - TPM, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and related process improvement systems.3+ years experience leading, guiding, and mentoring teams and individuals along with practical experience in understanding group dynamics and team development3+ years in facilitating teams; oversee root-cause analysis, data collection, and problem solving using TPM/ CPS concepts such as "Why, Why/ How How", Phenomena Thinking, etc.Working knowledge of production equipment and systems including maintenance activities.

Our Benefits:

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:
Health: Medical, dental and vision insurance, company-paid life, accident and disability insurance Wealth: great pay, incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan Growth: online courses, virtual and classroom development experiences Balance: paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role)

Our Company:

Conagra Brands is one of North America's leading branded food companies. We have a rich heritage of making great food, and a team that's passionate about innovation and growth. Conagra offers choices for every occasion through iconic brands, such as Birds Eye , Marie Callender's , Banquet , Healthy Choice , Slim Jim , Reddi-wip , and Vlasic , and emerging brands, including Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP , Duke's , Earth Balance , Gardein , and Frontera .
We pride ourselves on having the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in the food industry. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law.