CI Manager

Maker’s Pride, LLC; Michigan City (IN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The CI Manager at Maker’s Pride, LLC is responsible for driving sustainable process improvements and a culture of continuous improvement across the plant. You will lead Lean Six Sigma initiatives, coach leaders, and work with plant leadership to deliver breakthroughs in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale.

You will analyze complex ERP and plant data, manage multiple improvement projects concurrently, and foster an engaged, high‑performing team while partnering with the Plant Manager on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or operations.
• 3+ years leading Continuous Improvement departments or functions.
• 5+ years in a high-speed manufacturing environment; Food/CPG preferred.
• 2+ years of people leadership experience preferred.
• Strong project management experience required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, develop, coach, and execute improvement action plans based on size and complexity.
• Owner, driver, and facilitator of Lean Six Sigma improvements to drive site improvements.
• Driver of Maker’s Pride Performance System for the plant; monitor performance and coach leaders.
• Teach, coach, and mentor teams on CI mindset and methodologies.
• Build an engaged, high-performing work environment across the plant.
• Manage multiple complex improvement projects concurrently.
• Analyze ERP and plant data to transform opportunities into action.
• Support Plant Manager to drive Lean cultural change throughout the plant.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Change agent

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree (Engineering, Business or Operations)

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Excel

ERP

Job description

Job Summary:

The CI Manager is responsible for driving sustainable Process Improvements and mindset change in the facility by delivering breakthrough results in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale. The CI Manager works closely with plant leadership, CI Directors, and department employees to achieve results. This position requires strong technical, Lean Manufacturing, and hands-on leadership skills to drive cultural change.

Job Duties: Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Oversee, develop, coach, and/or execute improvement action plans based on size and complexity
• Owner, driver, and facilitator of Lean Six Sigma improves to drive improvements within the facility
• Driver of Maker’s Pride Performance System for the plant; monitoring performance, providing feedback, guidance, and coaching department leaders
• Provides and teaches Continual Improvement mindset and techniques to employees in leadership roles
• Build an employee engaged work environment
• Process owner of the improvement portfolio and savings targets; supporting peers and colleagues to drive performance across entire organization.
• Analyze complex ERP and plant performance data to transform opportunities into action
• Support Plant Manager to build cultural Lean change throughout the plant
• Manage multiple complex projects concurrently

Required Competencies & Knowledge:

• Knowledge and experience with ERP (SAP preferable)Possess extensive technical skills and hands-on experience in continuous improvement manufacturing activities

• Bias for action, a change agent, challenging the status quo to drive to operational excellence
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Accurate, detail-oriented and maintain the utmost confidentiality.
• Working knowledge of P&L/financial acumen to identify performance gains and opportunities; supporting their peers to develop plans to correct performance, and track effectiveness of projects.

Ability To:

• Effectively communicate with employees, top management, customers, public groups and/or board of directors.
• Teach, coach, and mentor team members regarding improvement mindset, practices, and methodologies.
• Maintain harmonious working relations with management and employees from all levels and departments.
• Leverage resources and share best practices across multiple plants when possible.
• Define problems, collect and calculate data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Work well with others in stressful situations and meet deadlines as necessary.
• Work in a fast-paced environment, while at the same time making sound decisions.
• Drive change and sustain.

Proficiency In:

• MS Office Suite, Excel, and PP Work Environment:

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to use and reach throughout the day; hands, fingers, arms, stand, walk, climb and/or balance approximately.
• Ability to see, hear and talk.
• Ability to work in light to moderate noise levels.
• Ability to work across multiple shifts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Engineering, Business or Operations.
• 3+ years’ experience in the leading Continuous Improvement Department/function. Production or operations leadership is highly encouraged.
• 5+ years in a high-speed manufacturing environment. Food or CPG is preferred.
• 2+ years of people leadership experience is preferred, but influence without authority is needed.
• Strong project management experience required.