Continuous Improvement Engineer

Post Holdings, Inc.; Minnesota; On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking passionate individuals to join their team in Northfield, MN. This role focuses on driving continuous improvement initiatives within a dynamic manufacturing environment. As part of a company committed to high standards and innovation, you'll leverage Lean methodologies to enhance safety, quality, and efficiency. Join a collaborative team where your ideas are valued and make a real impact on products enjoyed by millions. If you have a strong background in engineering and a passion for driving change, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 4-year degree in a Science or Engineering field required.
• 2-5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean & DMAIC methodologies.
• Coach and mentor staff on CI principles and tools.
• Collaborate with teams to enhance operational performance.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Problem Solving

Root Cause Analysis

Coaching and Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Science or Engineering

Tools

Redzone Software

Job description

Business Unit Overview

Headquartered in Lakeville, Minn., Post Consumer Brands, a business unit of Post Holdings, Inc., is dedicated to providing people and their pets with delicious food choices for every taste and budget. The company’s portfolio includes beloved brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats, PEBBLES, Grape-Nuts and Malt-O-Meal cereal, and Peter Pan peanut butter, as well as Nutrish, Kibbles ‘n Bits and 9Lives dog and cat food. As a company committed to high standards of quality and to our values, we are driven by one idea: To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all. For more information about our brands, visit www.postconsumerbrands.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest news.

Brand

Post Consumer Brands recently acquired several iconic pet food brands, venturing into a new market while remaining true to our purpose to provide delicious and accessible food that our consumers love. We’re always searching the center store for the next exciting product to add to our portfolio, and right now, we’re growing and need passionate, driven individuals with diverse perspectives to help us reach greater heights. That’s where you come in. Join a team where your voice is not only heard but valued. Make a real impact on brands enjoyed by millions of people and their pets.

At Post Consumer Brands, we take pride in our longstanding legacy of making one of every five breakfast cereals families eat daily. Today, we’re just as focused on our future as we expand our grocery business with different shelf-stable foods, including snacks and peanut butter. We are committed to providing accessible and delicious food for families, and we’re always searching the center store for the next exciting product to add to our portfolio. As we soar to new heights, we need creative, determined individuals from all walks of life to join our team, where your unique perspective and ideas are acknowledged and valued. Be a part of a company that empowers you to make a difference that’s evident on grocery store shelves and families’ tables across North America.

Location Description

Northfield, Minn. is home to two Post Consumer Brands manufacturing plants, the Campbell Mill and Ames Mill, two distribution centers, and more than 750 team members. The Campbell Mill plant is 1 million square feet and is home to 7 manufacturing technologies to produce a wide variety of cereal products our customers know and love. Northfield is a town steeped in history, featuring two colleges and the original Ames Mill where the Malt-O-Meal Company got its start.

Responsibilities

Drive change through focused continuous improvement efforts to higher levels of performance in safety, quality, schedule adherence, cost, growth, and engagement each and every day. Effectively utilize Lean & DMAIC methodology, tools, and root cause analysis to eliminate waste. Coach, train, and mentor against PCB’s overall Continuous Improvement methodology, and apply knowledge through project based activity, as well as through strategic steering teams.

• Partner with fellow Engineers, as well as Corporate CI, to become educated in Lean and DMAIC methodology, and apply knowledge to high priority projects that support plant Key Performance Indicators.
• Develop, maintain, sustain, audit, train, and improve the CI operating system, which consists of the Management Operating System, Maintenance, Problem Solving, Standard Work, and People & Leadership pillars.
• Drive the deployment of planned improvements against annual targets through use of the Management Operating System (MOS), A3 Strategy process, Redzone software, problem solving techniques, loss control meetings, blueprints, etc.
• Develop and drive the process, system, and forums for best practice sharing.

Work location: Onsite at the Northfield, MN Manufacturing facility.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Facilitates and implements the continuous improvement process (e.g. behaviors, attitude, and culture), working with staff and operations to implement and sustain a continuous improvement program based upon Lean principles that supports meeting plant goals and targets.
• Works closely with fellow technical resources to help drive efficiencies and develop continuous improvement opportunities and best practices. Coaches, trains, mentors, and models root cause analysis, problem solving methodology, strategy development, Leader Standard Work, 5S+1, and many other CI/Lean/TPM philosophies.
• Works with technical support teams, Finance, and Plant Leadership to manage a Continuous Improvement docket to both prioritize projects and track results against Cost Out targets.
• Be a change agent that challenges existing processes that create waste and non-value added work.
• Lead and/or participate on cross functional Kaizen teams to resolution of problems or achievement of desired goals.
• Lead focused efforts aimed at breakthrough and incremental improvements in process, department and/or line-specific opportunities that meet and exceed plant operational performance metrics.
• Monitor data and metrics to identify areas of waste and prioritize the development and implementation of solutions.
• Share best practices and build relationships with CI resources at all PCB facilities.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Leadership Expectations:

• Demonstrates a passion for safety. Able to develop and maintain a respectful and safe work environment.
• Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing/Continuous Improvement methodologies and ability to model them.
• Must have strong analytical and business judgment including demonstrated problem-solving and trouble-shooting skills.
• Ability to influence, mentor, and coach to get results through others
• Results driven for being the low cost producer and supporting company growth strategies.
• Have strong bias for action, while proving the ability to inspire others.
• Convey a high level of optimism in finding ways to achieve aggressive targets.
• Communicates a sense of purpose. Talks about the possibilities and is optimistic. Creates strong morale and spirit within teams.
• Solves highly complex problems and prioritizes actions in a timely manner. Probes all sources for answers and can quickly sense what will help resolve issues.
• Establish clear directions, lays out work in a well-planned and organized manner.
• Speaks candidly and in a professional manner.
• Organizes and manages projects; interacts, supports, facilitates and leads multi-functional work teams; leads teams to consensus; strong negotiation skills.
• Able to build strong and diverse relationships across the business groups they partner with. Supports and fosters change.

EDUCATION:

4-year degree in a Science or Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Manufacturing) field

EXPERIENCE:

• Preference of 2-5 years combined related work experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with continuous improvement/Lean Six Sigma efforts also preferred.