CI Manager

DSJ Global; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

DSJ Global is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager in Modesto, California, to enhance performance systems and drive sustainable improvements in a high-volume food manufacturing facility. This critical role focuses on fostering a continuous improvement culture by engaging with both hourly and salaried teams.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of relevant experience, leading key improvement initiatives across various teams. The position involves coaching, data analysis, and driving standard work processes.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in plant-based operations within food, beverage, or packaged goods manufacturing.
• Experience in leading TPM-based continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and plant systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to plant leadership.
• Own and lead continuous improvement pillars.
• Drive standardization and sustainability of improvements.

Skills

Plant-based operations experience

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

A leading food manufacturing organization is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to support operations at a high‑volume manufacturing facility in California. This role partners closely with plant leadership to expand performance systems, eliminate losses, and drive sustainable improvements across safety, quality, delivery, and cost. The position plays a critical role in building a continuous improvement culture by engaging both hourly and salaried teams, strengthening operational capabilities, and embedding standard work across the site.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to plant leadership across multiple performance system pillars
• Own and lead key continuous improvement pillars, including Focused Improvement, Continuous Skills Development, and Autonomous Manufacturing
• Partner with operations, maintenance, quality, engineering, and supply chain teams to identify and execute improvement opportunities across all areas of the facility
• Coach hourly and salaried teams on data analysis, loss identification, project prioritization, and structured problem‑solving methodologies
• Lead cross‑functional improvement initiatives that deliver measurable gains tied to key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Drive standardization and sustainability of improvements through audits, routines, and leader standard work
• Promote continuous improvement principles through daily floor presence, coaching, and engagement at all levels of the organization
• Support the adoption and enhancement of digital tools and data systems to improve visibility, decision‑making, and execution
• Collaborate with enterprise and site‑level CI leaders to share best practices, align standards, and reapply successful solutions across the business
• Foster a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement throughout the facility

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• 7+ years of plant‑based operations experience within food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing
• 7+ years of experience leading TPM‑based continuous improvement initiatives, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar operating systems
• Prior people leadership or indirect management experience strongly preferred
• Strong working knowledge of production equipment, manufacturing processes, and plant systems
• Proven ability to drive productivity improvements, cost reduction initiatives, and waste elimination efforts
• Demonstrated success influencing and leading change across multiple levels of an organization
• Strong communication, coaching, and stakeholder management skills