Continuous Improvement Manager

American Sugar Refining; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 96,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

American Sugar Refining, Baltimore, MD, seeks a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead global Operational Excellence initiatives. You will drive standardization, coach leaders, and apply Lean, Six Sigma, and data analytics to accelerate improvements across sites.

The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration and the ability to influence without direct authority. The position reports to the Director of Continuous Improvement and involves coordinating with North America and Europe teams,

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years total professional experience in a manufacturing environment in progressively responsible roles.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in Continuous Improvement roles (Lean/Six Sigma/TPS/TOC).
• Minimum 5 years' experience in Operations/Engineering/Manufacturing roles.
• Experience deploying digital manufacturing or connected worker platforms preferred.
• Experience in food, beverage, pharmaceutical or CPG industry in high-volume manufacturing preferred.
• Must have experience in industries with high-quality standards (SQF/ISO).
• Demonstrated history of successful change implementation and operational excellence improvements.
• Formal training and work experience in managing mid-to-large scale projects.
• Unionized workforce experience is preferred but not required.
• Proficiency in MS Windows, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Project Software.

Responsibilities

• Drive standardization and systematization of operating processes; identify best practices globally and implement locally.
• Diagnose processes, identify waste, and propose performance improvements.
• Spend significant time observing operations and coaching leaders to adopt standard work.
• Support development and implementation of a global Operating Management System.
• Leverage digital technologies and analytics to improve performance and problem-solving.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Change management

Project management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related discipline

Six Sigma Green Belt (Black Belt preferred) or Lean Leader/Facilitator

Tools

MS Windows

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Project Software

Job description

The ASR Group family of companies make up the world's largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar. The companies produce a full line of grocery, industrial, foodservice and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group companies operate five sugar refineries, located in California, Maryland, Louisiana, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, ASR Group companies operate sugar refineries in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and, with a joint venture partner, Italy. The companies also farm sugarcane and own sugar mills in Mexico and Belize. The ASR Group portfolio includes the leading brands Domino, C&H, Florida Crystals, Redpath, Tate & Lyle, Lyle's, Sidul and Whitworths. ASR Group companies also produce and market Tellus, a single-use, compostable tableware and foodservice product made from plant fibers, including sugarcane.

OVERVIEW

The Continuous Improvement Manager will have primary responsibility for leading, managing and driving the Continuous Improvement Agenda at one of ASR's primary Operations locations. Additionally, this person will collaborate with other Continuous Improvement Managers in North America and Europe to develop, deploy and support global training, tools and processes. Reporting to the Director of Continuous Improvement, with dotted line reporting to the site manager, the successful candidate will have the ability to achieve tangible business results directly, and by influencing others. The successful candidate must have experience in leading cross functional teams through a change in process or culture, and must be able to demonstrate the ability to facilitate groups in the application of Continuous Improvement tools and techniques that support this change. With high visibility to this position, the successful candidate must be enthusiastic, tenacious, and able to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as in a team environment.

DETAILED ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Excellence

• Drive standardization and systematization of efficient operating processes via identification of best practices across global sites and drive implementation locally.
• Diagnose processes, identify waste and work in collaboration with line management to develop proposals for improving performance.
• Spend significant time in the operation observing work, identifying performance barriers, coaching leaders, and ensuring adoption of standard work and Operating Management System practices.
• Support the Global development and implementation of a standard Operating Management System, which establishes a set of comprehensive standards and a defined culture for managing the Global Operations organization.
• Leverage emerging digital technologies, automation tools, advanced analytics, and AI-enabled solutions to improve operational performance, accelerate problem solving, and enhance organizational capability.

Project Management

• Facilitate Continuous Improvement project teams consistent with the standard Operating Management System.
• Follow-up on agreed-to projects to monitor the progress of planned improvements and to assure timely action, appropriate management support, and achievement of expected benefits.

Employee Engagement and Capability Building

• Demonstrate and champion use of Continuous Improvement methodology and tools across sites of responsibility.
• Build site capability in Continuous Improvement through coaching, mentoring, and training employees in the understanding and deployment of Continuous Improvement methodology and practices.
• Provide internal guidance and consultative services on specific Continuous Improvement projects and activities such as process mapping, value stream mapping, process design, establishing performance standards/metrics, ROI analysis and project management.
• Partner with frontline leaders, supervisors, and managers to build a culture of accountability, problem solving, and continuous improvement through coaching, mentoring, and structured leader development.

Planning & Performance Management

• Utilize digital manufacturing systems, operational data platforms, and advanced analytics tools to identify performance opportunities, improve decision making, and accelerate continuous improvement deployment
• Use appropriate measurement, analysis and evaluation methods to accurately identify and document improvements related to Continuous Improvement delivery.
• Maintain site database of Continuous Improvement projects, tracking and reporting progress and performance to key stakeholders.

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Professional Experience- 5 to 10 years total professional experience in a manufacturing environment in progressively responsible roles.
• Continuous Improvement Experience- Minimum 5 years' experience and successful track record in roles focused on use of Continuous Improvement tools and methodology such as Lean Enterprise, Six Sigma, TPS, or Theory of Constraints.
• Operations/Engineering/Manufacturing Experience- Minimum 5 years' experience and successful track record in line roles such as Operations/Maintenance Management, Quality Management or Manufacturing Engineering.

• Digital Enablement - Experience deploying or supporting digital manufacturing, operational excellence, production management, or connected worker platforms preferred.
• Food or Similar Industry Experience- Experience in food, beverage, pharmaceutical or CPG industry in a high-volume manufacturing environment preferred.

• Quality- Must have had experience in an industry where high-quality standards are present (e.g., SQF in Food Industry or ISO in non-food industry).
• Change Management- Demonstrated history of successful change implementation and implementing of operational excellence improvements.
• Project Management- Formal training and work experience in managing mid-to-large scale projects.
• Unionized Workforce- Experience with unionized workforce strongly preferred but not required.
• Computer Proficiency- Proficiency in MS Windows, Excel, Word, PowerPoint as well as Project Software.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Related Discipline
• Six Sigma Green Belt (Black Belt preferred) or Lean Leader/Facilitator Certification

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Verbal and written proficiency in English
• The ability to be conversant in another language such as Spanish, Portuguese or German is preferred but not required

TRAVEL

• The position will require 5-10% travel; primarily domestic and occasionally international.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• None

LOCATION OF ROLE

• Baltimore, MD

SALARY PAY RANGE:

$96,000 - $178,000 plus bonus

• The pay rate for the successful candidate will depend on the candidate's qualifications and prior experience.
• Benefits include healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs) available the first of the month following 30 days of employment, 401(k) with match, life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, vacation, holiday and sick time.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, genderidentity, age,nationalorigin, disability, veteranstatusorany other category protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.