Continuous Improvement Manager

Unilever; Independence (MO); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligible

Long-Term Incentive (LTI) eligible

Health benefits

Job summary

Unilever is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to transform the manufacturing site producing Knorr. You will lead the Manufacturing Excellence strategy, drive world-class practices, and partner with site leadership to unlock productivity, reliability, and cost improvements.

The role emphasizes building capability, coaching leaders, and embedding a culture of operational excellence across the factory, with a focus on safety, quality, and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, or related field.
• 5+ years in manufacturing, engineering, or operational excellence.
• Proven track record leading large-scale improvement initiatives.
• Deep expertise in WCM, Lean, TPM, and related methodologies.
• Strong analytical and change-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Manufacturing Excellence Master Plan.
• Champion WCM and UMS deployment across the factory.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness and drive results.
• Lead transformation initiatives and act as change leader.

Skills

Manufacturing Excellence

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

World Class Manufacturing

TPM

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree preferred

Job description

Earlier this year (March 2026), Unilever announced an agreement to separate our Foods business. Our Foods business, including brands such as Hellmann's and Knorr, will join forces with McCormick to become a global flavour leader, with leading positions across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by a strong retail and foodservice platform. McCormick has 135+ years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to consultation, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions with a targeted deal close of mid-2027.

JOB PURPOSE

At Unilever, every improvement made on the factory floor helps deliver trusted brands into millions of homes around the world. As our Continuous Improvement Manager, you will play a pivotal role in accelerating the performance, capabilities, and competitive advantage of the factory responsible for producing Knorr®, one of the world's most recognized food brands.

This is more than a continuous improvement role. It is a strategic leadership opportunity to transform how the factory operates by embedding a culture of operational excellence, capability building, and relentless loss elimination. You will work directly with site leadership, engineering, operations, and global stakeholders to unlock breakthrough improvements in productivity, reliability, quality, and cost while developing the next generation of manufacturing talent.

Leveraging World Class Manufacturing (WCM) and Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) methodologies, you will lead the site's transformation agenda, helping create a safer, smarter, and more agile operation capable of meeting the needs of consumers for years to come.

Success in this role will be measured not simply by performance metrics, but by your ability to build sustainable systems, develop people, and create a culture where continuous improvement becomes part of how work gets done every day.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Lead the Manufacturing Transformation Agenda

• Develop and execute the site's Manufacturing Excellence Master Plan, aligning business priorities with long-term performance and capability goals.
• Champion the deployment and maturity of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) and UMS systems across the factory.
• Partner with site leadership to identify strategic opportunities that improve operational effectiveness and drive sustainable business results.
• Serve as a key advisor and change leader during major transformation initiatives.

Drive Continuous Improvement & Performance Excellence

• Lead site-wide loss analysis and elimination efforts across safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost.
• Deliver measurable improvements in key performance indicators including OEE, Manufacturing Performance (MP), Output Reliability (OR), and Cost per Tonne (CPT).
• Establish a disciplined governance process that drives accountability and ensures continuous delivery of improvement initiatives.
• Identify and implement best practices, emerging technologies, and innovative manufacturing solutions.

Build a High-Performing, Future-Ready Organization

• Create and sustain a culture where continuous improvement, problem solving, and operational excellence are embedded into daily work.
• Coach leaders, managers, and frontline teams in Lean, WCM, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Lead capability-building strategies that strengthen technical expertise and accelerate organizational performance.
• Develop site maturity roadmaps that move the factory toward world-class manufacturing benchmarks.

Elevate Workforce Capability & Training Excellence

• Lead the site's Manufacturing Training Platform and capability development strategy.
• Ensure learning systems, certification processes, and technical development programs directly support operational priorities and loss elimination goals.
• Drive adoption of modern learning methods, digital tools, structured certification pathways, and skills-based development frameworks.
• Partner closely with HR and global learning teams to build a highly capable and adaptable workforce.

Influence Across the Business

• Collaborate with Site Leadership, Supply Unit Directors, Engineering, R&D, and Global MANEX teams to align operational and innovation priorities.
• Provide strategic guidance to Category Engineering to ensure manufacturing excellence principles are incorporated into future technologies and innovations.
• Champion the sharing of best practices across factories and regions, helping scale successful approaches throughout the network.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; Master's Degree preferred (Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field).
• 5+ years of manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, continuous improvement, or operational excellence experience.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale performance improvement initiatives and delivering measurable business results.
• Deep expertise in Manufacturing Excellence, Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, WCM, TPM, or related operational excellence methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to convert insights into action.
• Proven ability to influence leaders and drive change within complex manufacturing environments.
• Exceptional coaching, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Ability to balance long-term transformational strategy with day-to-day operational execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or equivalent).
• Experience leading Manufacturing Excellence, Continuous Improvement, WCM, TPM, or Operational Excellence programs within a consumer goods, food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or high-speed manufacturing environment.

Pay: The pay range for this position is $103,000 to $154,400. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance

(including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

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