Continuous Improvement Manager - New Century, KS
2 days ago
Job description
Position Overview
The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager leads the plant's World Class Manufacturing (WCM) strategy and drives transformational change across all functions. This role oversees CI direct reports and partners with Plant Leadership and Pillar Champions to build, execute, and sustain continuous improvement plans. The CI Manager ensures each of the eight WCM Pillars delivers measurable progress, embeds CI behaviors into daily operations, and strengthens the plant's culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence.
Success in this role requires strong influence, strategic thinking, and the ability to coach leaders at all levels to own and execute their improvement roadmaps.
Leadership & Strategy
- Set the plant's WCM/CI direction and lead the execution of the continuous improvement roadmap.
- Influence Plant Leadership and Pillar Champions to develop, own, and deliver their Pillar work plans.
- Lead CI direct reports, providing coaching, development, and performance management.
- Participate in plant steering committees and cross functional peer groups to align CI priorities with business goals.
- Manage CI budgeting, resource planning, and capability development.
Program Execution & Performance Management
- Develop and track milestones to report progress toward WCM and CI objectives to plant employees and leadership.
- Document progress, gaps, and corrective actions with clarity and accuracy.
- Conduct data collection, financial analysis, benchmarking, and root cause analysis to identify improvement opportunities.
- Assess training needs, develop training materials, and deliver CI and WCM training across hourly, salaried, and management teams.
- Apply appropriate technologies and methodologies to design technical, human, and information systems that support CI goals.
- Create design documentation for system improvements and ensure proper implementation.
Operational Excellence
- Drive continuous improvement of production units and assets through operator leadership, asset care, and technology utilization.
- Ensure the plant consistently produces the right product, at the right quality, in the right quantities.
- Prioritize and allocate constrained resources to optimize business indices including safety, quality, customer service, inventory, conversion cost, and KPIs.
- Support change management efforts from planning through execution and evaluation to achieve cultural and organizational transformation.
Safety & Compliance
- Perform all responsibilities in a manner that ensures personal and team safety.
- Identify and report non-conformances and support corrective actions.
- Ensure CI initiatives align with safety, regulatory, and quality standards.
Required Skills & Competencies
Technical & Analytical
- Strong understanding of WCM, Lean, Six Sigma, or similar CI methodologies.
- Ability to analyze complex data, perform financial assessments, and determine optimal solutions.
- Experience designing and implementing systems and processes that improve operational performance.
Communication & Influence
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present information clearly in one on one and small group settings.
- Ability to write reports, correspondence, and documentation with proper grammar, structure, and clarity.
- Strong influencing skills with the ability to guide leaders and teams toward new ways of working.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive change, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment and support cross functional initiatives.
Change Management
- Skilled in planning, managing, and sustaining organizational change.
- Ability to evaluate change outcomes and adjust strategies to achieve intended commercial, cultural, and operational results.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's Degree (B.A. or B.S.) from an accredited institution; Industrial Engineering preferred.
- Minimum 5 to 7 years of practical experience in program-based CI/process implementation activities.
- Experience with continuous improvement methodologies, including structured problem solving and process optimization.
- Six Sigma experience preferred (Green Belt or Black Belt is a plus).
- Prior experience in food manufacturing, CPG, or process-based production environments strongly preferred.
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