Continuous Improvement Engineer

Ascentria Search Partners; Chino (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascentria Search Partners client seeks a Continuous Improvement Engineer to support two manufacturing facilities in a high‑mix, low‑volume setting in Chino, CA, with ~30% travel to Wisconsin. 80% on the floor, 20% in the office, building a structured CI program using Lean tools and QAD Redzone.

Lead SOPs, standard work, and problem‑solving, own OEE reporting by line, and drive savings through setup reductions and operator training, partnering across functions to sustain gains.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years in CI, process engineering, or manufacturing with measurable improvements.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher; experience with QAD Redzone.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations Management or related field.
• Experience with cGMP, FDA and ISO quality systems and change control.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to build financial justifications for projects.

Responsibilities

• Establish the CI program with SOPs, repeatable processes, and Kaizen events.
• Apply Lean tools (VSM, 5S, SMED, standard work, poka-yoke, visual mgmt) and A3/DMAIC.
• Own Redzone OEE reporting and loss analysis by line, shift, and SKU.
• Reduce setup and changeover times; standardize checklists and run sizes.
• Build and maintain inspections, sign-offs, and change control documentation.
• Formalize operator training with Redzone, matrices, and SOPs.
• Develop business cases, run trials, and report savings to leadership.
• Collaborate with production, quality, maintenance, EHS, supply chain, R&D, and finance.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

OEE analysis

Data analysis

Excel skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

QAD Redzone

Power BI

Dynamics NAV/Business Central

Excel

Job description

Our client is a private equity backed contract manufacturer of consumer products serving a diverse portfolio of established marquee brands. The business has doubled in size over the past several years and is investing in further growth, with a goal of doubling again through organic expansion and acquisitions. This newly created role offers the opportunity to establish the continuous improvement foundation and grow with the organization.

Position Summary

The Continuous Improvement Engineer will support two production facilities in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment operating under cGMP, FDA, and ISO quality requirements. Approximately 80% of the role will be spent on the manufacturing floor and 20% in the office based in Chino, CA primarily with approximately 30% travel to Wisconsin. This person will transition the business away from project-based improvements and build a structured CI program, using Lean tools and QAD Redzone to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost. Key priorities include labor productivity, downtime, setups and changeovers in a short run environment, and formalized operator training. This role offers a compelling opportunity to grow with the business, with potential for broader responsibility and career advancement as the company scales and integrates future acquisitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish the CI program, including standard operating procedures, repeatable processes, and a regular cadence of prioritized improvement projects and Kaizen events.
• Apply Lean tools such as VSM, 5S, SMED, standard work, poka-yoke, and visual management, alongside structured problem solving such as A3, DMAIC, 5 Whys, and fishbone analysis, to reduce scrap, giveaway, rework, and holds.
• Own Redzone OEE reporting and loss analysis by line, shift, and SKU across approximately 40–50 machines. Use Redzone downtime data and ERP scrap data to identify losses, validate data accuracy, lead digital shift huddles, and establish centerlines, target speeds, and crewing standards.
• Reduce setup and changeover times, which currently range from hours to days. Standardize checklists, line clearance, and sanitation; partner with planning on sequencing and run sizes; and create SOPs for new product production planning.
• Build and maintain Redzone Compliance inspections, line-side checks, and changeover sign-offs. Ensure changes meet cGMP, FDA, and ISO change control, documentation, and validation requirements; support CAPA, investigations, and audits.
• Formalize operator training through Redzone, training matrices, one-point lessons, and work instructions. Develop troubleshooting SOPs, coach employees on the floor, and help establish an operator recognition process; partner with Engineering on larger technical fixes.
• Build business cases using savings, ROI, and payback; run trials; quantify financial and throughput improvements; track realized savings; and report progress and risks to Operations leadership.
• Partner with Production supervisors, Quality and inspectors, Maintenance, Sanitation, EHS, Supply Chain, R&D, and Finance to implement improvements and sustain results through control plans.
• Identify unsafe conditions through Gemba walks and risk assessments. Incorporate ergonomics, machine guarding, LOTO, chemical handling, and PPE into standard work and sustain 5S.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in continuous improvement, process engineering, or manufacturing operations, with hands‑on Lean and OEE experience and measurable improvements in productivity, cost, and throughput.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher and experience using QAD Redzone to analyze performance and drive improvements.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience; Industrial Engineering preferred.
• Experience operating under cGMP, FDA, and/or ISO quality systems, including change control and documentation.
• Strong analytical and Excel skills, with the ability to identify losses, determine root causes, and build financial justifications for projects.
• Ability to train operators, explain Lean concepts simply to teams with limited CI exposure, and influence cross‑functional partners without direct authority. A collaborative, adaptable communication style that builds trust across a diverse workforce.

Preferred Background

• High-mix manufacturing experience in contract manufacturing, consumer packaging, personal care, cosmetics, liquid filling, nonwovens, OTC products, or food and beverage.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 22716, TPM, SPC, ERP systems such as Dynamics NAV/Business Central, and Power BI.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills to support a Spanish‑speaking operator workforce.

Working Conditions

Based on‑site in Chino, CA. Supports all shifts as needed, with periodic travel to a second Wisconsin based production facility, up to 30%. Must follow GMP gowning and PPE requirements, stand and walk for extended periods, and lift up to 50 lbs. The environment includes moving machinery, noise, and process chemicals.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by applicable law.