Business Unit Productivity Manager

Graham Packaging; United States; On-site; USD 95,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401K Employee Saving Plan

Wellness program

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Graham Packaging is seeking a Business Unit Productivity Manager to drive manufacturing productivity, reduce waste, and optimize processes across plants. You will use Lean principles, Six Sigma, and data analytics to deliver measurable improvements while upholding safety, quality, and customer service standards.

You will collaborate with engineering, IT, and operations to implement MES, ERP integrations, and workflow automation tools, supporting a culture of continuous improvement and strong

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years in manufacturing, operations, process improvement, or industrial engineering.
• Travel 60-75% as part of the role.
• Direct experience in extrusion blow molding is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Analyze current workflows, labor utilization, equipment performance, and production processes.
• Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for cost reduction.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and implement standardized work procedures.
• Measure and monitor KPIs including labor productivity, OEE, throughput and cycle time.
• Develop reporting tools and dashboards to track performance trends.
• Conduct time studies, work measurements, and value stream mapping.
• Optimize staffing models and resource allocation.
• Improve plant layouts, material flow, and workplace organization.
• Support 5S and visual management programs.
• Evaluate opportunities to automate manual processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, IT, and operations on technology implementations.
• Support digital transformation including MES and data analytics.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Statistical analysis

Power BI

Excel

SAP

MRP systems

Process mapping

Project management

SMED

Tools

Power BI

Excel

SAP

MRP systems

MES

Job description

Graham Packaging is a people, planet and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Graham Packaging is part of your everyday life.

For employees at Graham, our Blue Culture is part of their everyday lives, too. In other words, Blue is how we do things here.

At Graham, we are united by a clear vision. We know our part and help those around us know theirs, encouraging one another to continuously improve. We create a safe, challenging environment to innovate by supporting creative ideas and new ways of thinking. We take the initiative to cultivate our individual growth and help others do the same, while keeping ourselves and one another accountable. And we actively promote cooperation, collaboration, integrity and respect across regions and teams to foster an engaged, diverse and connected workforce.

We value our employees, and a Blue Culture allows for the most rewarding employee experience as part of the Graham family. Blue is how we feel about what we do—together—to create a better tomorrow. Working at Graham means you lead constructively with clear goals, use diverse thinking to drive excellence, accountability, innovation, as well as demonstrating collaboration, embracing learning, and taking action for continuous improvement and growth.

The Business Unit Productivity Manager is responsible for improving operational efficiency, reducing waste, increasing throughput, and optimizing processes across manufacturing, distribution, service, or administrative functions. This role uses data analysis, Lean principles, process engineering, automation, and continuous improvement methodologies to drive measurable productivity gains while maintaining safety, quality, and customer service standards. Report to Director of Operations to deliver budgeted Productivity for their assigned plants. Also, will collaborate with peers to ensure optimal problem solving and solution sharing across the business.

Process Improvement

• Analyze current workflows, labor utilization, equipment performance, and production processes.
• Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for cost reduction.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and implement standardized work procedures.

Productivity Analysis

• Measure and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including:
• Labor productivity
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Throughput
• Capacity utilization
• Cycle time
• Downtime
• Develop reporting tools and dashboards to track performance trends.

Operational Excellence

• Conduct time studies, work measurements, and value stream mapping exercises.
• Optimize staffing models and resource allocation.
• Improve plant layouts, material flow, and workplace organization.
• Support 5S and visual management programs.
• Evaluate opportunities to automate manual processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, IT, and operations teams on technology implementations.
• Support digital transformation initiatives including manufacturing execution systems (MES), AI, IFP, Streamline, Infinity ERP systems, data analytics, and workflow automation tools.

Productivity Improvement Project Management

• Lead cross-functional productivity improvement projects.
• Develop business cases and ROI analyses for improvement investments.
• Manage timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Present recommendations and results to leadership on a monthly cadence.

Training & Change Management

• Train employees on Lean tools and process improvement methodologies.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Support change management efforts associated with new processes and technologies.

Experience

• 5-10+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, process improvement, or industrial engineering.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives preferred.
• Travel 60-75%
• Direct experience in extrusion blow molding is preferred but not required

Technical Skills

• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma methodologies
• Statistical analysis
• Data visualization and reporting tools (Power BI, Excel)
• ERP”SAP”/MRP systems
• Process mapping and workflow optimization
• Project management
• SMED (Quick Changeovers)

Preferred Certifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE)

The expected salary range for the position described in this posting is made in accordance with the legal mandates of certain jurisdictions within the United States. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on individual qualifications and experience. Salary offers will be determined based on final candidate qualifications, experience, skillset, and other relevant factors.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in the company’s 401K Employee Saving Plan and may participate in its Employee Wellness Program. Employees will also receive paid time off in accordance with company policy and state law requirements.

Graham Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

The standard compensation for this role is $95,400 - 143,100. Salary offers will be determined based on final candidate qualifications, experience, skillset, and other relevant factors.