Continuous Improvement Leader

Hill's Pet Nutrition; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 94,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in pet nutrition is seeking a Continuous Improvement Leader to enhance plant operations in Topeka. This role involves developing and managing CI initiatives, establishing KPIs, and leading process improvements. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field and have significant experience in manufacturing. The successful applicant will play a pivotal role in improving product quality and operational efficiency, ultimately contributing to the company's success.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) retirement plan with company matching

Paid parental leave

Minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days

13 paid holidays

Qualifications

• 5 years experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 2 years supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of FP&R guidelines and continuous improvement plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage continuous improvement systems and track performance.
• Maintain effective KPI measurement and establish corrective action.
• Lead process improvements focusing on quality, reliability, and cost.

Skills

Process Improvement

Lean Manufacturing

Problem Solving

Data Analysis

Technical Proficiency

Training Others

Conflict Resolution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

FMEA tools

ROI tools

SAP

Job description

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This range is provided by Hill's Pet Nutrition. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$94,000.00/yr - $133,000.00/yr

No Relocation Assistance Offered

Job Number #167451 - Topeka, Kansas, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

Job Summary

Responsible for developing and managing continuous improvement initiatives as established by the FP&R guidelines for all systems to improve the plant’s quality, productivity, and reliability. Responsible for establishing and maintaining effective KPI’s, leading process and packaging improvements in the areas of reliability, waste, product quality, safety, and cost per pound. Work closely with the CI Manager to track performance and AML (Absolute Material Losses), and make recommendations for optimizing performance and quality.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the continuous improvement systems as established by FP&R guidelines and standard by conducting regular data driven CI reviews, coordinating cross-functional evaluations of CI projects through ROI, Continuous Improvement Plans (CIP) and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and manage CI project timelines to achieve optimization initiatives.
• Identify training needs for the plant in the areas of process improvement, technical knowledge, problem solving, SOPs, SPI, PPMs, OPLs, etc.
• Incorporate FP&R, GMPs, Visual Workplace, Lean Manufacturing and reliability engineering in CI planning and systems.
• Lead the development of process improvements and optimization (throughput, yield, quality, and cost).
• Assist in achievement of plant KPI’s by working with Area and Team Leaders to translate business needs into daily operations and create technical solutions.
• Establish and maintain effective Key Performance Indicator (KPI) measurement and SPI’s for the plant, tracking and reporting tools, and establish corrective action for continuous improvement.
• Establish, maintain, audit and analyze Shop Floor data structure for accuracy and integrity.
• Incorporate FP&R, GMPs, Visual Workplace, Lean Manufacturing and reliability engineering in CI planning and systems.
• Track performance & mass balances, and make recommendations for optimizing performance and quality.
• Support plant and QA in identifying quality defects and driving resolution internally and with suppliers to improve material quality.
• Implement specific standardization, simplification and margin improvement projects and integrate external CI Best Practices.
• Responsible for coordinating an annual FP&R self assessment and conducting regular check-ins with Standard Owners to ensure the FP&R program is advancing.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (chemical, mechanical, industrial, agricultural), food science or a related engineering, scientific or leadership field.
• 5 years experience in a manufacturing, production or operation environment
• 2 years supervisory experience
• 2 years experience in plant wide systems by working with FP&R guidelines, lean manufacturing, continuous improvement plans, and establishing key performance indicators and SPI’s
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Operations Team Leader experience
• Food related production experience
• Six Sigma
• Technical proficiency including:
• Experience using ROI, continuous improvement tools or FMEA tools
• Training others
• Conflict resolution
• Presentation skills
• Understanding of financial measures
• SAP
• Standards, weights and measure requirements
• AIB, FDA, USDA and other regulatory agency design requirements
• Proficient in Statistical Process Control, CPk and Continuous Improvement Methodologies
  

Compensation And Benefits

Salary Range $94,000 - $133,000 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.

• site
  
  

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Not Applicable

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Manufacturing, Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage, and Retail

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