Continuous Improvement Manager

Refresco; Joplin (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Savings Accounts

Life and AD&D Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match

Job summary

Refresco Beverages US Inc. is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to drive Lean initiatives in a production plant. The role focuses on deploying CI strategies, leading Kaizen events, and developing employees to sustain continuous improvements on the shop floor.

You will collaborate with Plant Leadership and Sr. Regional OPEX to identify cost-saving opportunities, track KPI progress, and ensure food safety and GMP compliance across all operations. A strong Lean background is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Operations required.
• 2–3 years’ experience in Continuous Improvement required.
• Strong leadership in a fast-paced production environment preferred.
• Experience in the food/beverage manufacturing industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to GMPs and PPE requirements as well as food safety standards (SQF).
• Develop and support improvement plans with Plant Leadership and Sr. Regional OPEX Manager.
• Lead, facilitate, and coach Kaizen events to drive safety, quality, efficiency improvements.
• Mentor and train employees in CI tools (8 Wastes, Standard Work, SMED, 5S, Centerlining).
• Maintain a rolling 12-month pipeline of productivity initiatives and capital improvement opportunities.
• Track cost savings, project sustainability, and employee engagement related to CI initiatives.
• Analyze plant financials to identify cost-saving opportunities and prioritize improvements.
• Lead implementation and sustainment of Refresco Management System (RMS).
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment on CI initiatives.

Skills

Lean principles

Kaizen events

Change management

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Problem solving

Safety & quality focus

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table.

We are the leading global independent beverage solutions provider. We serve a broad range of national and international retailers as well as Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands. Our products are distributed worldwide from our production sites in Europe, North America, and Australia. Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks.

Our ambition is to continually improve and it’s what keeps us at the top of our game.We are solutions-based.We are innovative. We seek out new challenges and conquer them. This is our company ethos, but it’s our people’s too:Refresco is at the cutting edge of a fast-moving industry because we have passionate people pushing the boundaries of what’s best.

Stop and think: how wouldYOUput our drinks on every table?

Position Description

Reporting to the Plant Director, the Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager is responsible for developing, coordinating, and sustaining CI initiatives within the manufacturing plant. Partnering with the Plant Leadership team, the CI Manager will drive the deployment of CI strategies across the facility. This role involves leading improvement projects, training and developing employees to lead similar initiatives, and fostering a Lean mindset throughout the plant. A strong Lean background is essential, as the CI Manager will spend significant time on the production floor, driving sustainable improvements and securing buy-in at all levels.

Essential Job Functions

• Adhere to and ensure compliance to all health and safety policies/procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and PPE requirements.
• Adhere to and ensure compliance to food quality and food safety as per the standard(s) provided by corporate, customer, and/or governing bodies (ex. SQF).
• Develop and support the execution of improvement plans aligned with company strategy by collaborating with the Plant Leadership Team and Sr. Regional OPEX Manager.
• Lead, facilitate, and coach Kaizen events to drive sustainable improvements in safety, first-pass quality, direct labor efficiency, yield, and indirect labor optimization.
• Mentor and train employees in CI tools, including the 8 Wastes, Standard Work, SMED, 5S, and Centerlining, to build a culture of continuous improvement.
• Maintain a rolling 12-month pipeline of productivity initiatives and capital improvement opportunities.
• Facilitate regular planning meetings to validate cost savings, review project status, and develop contingency plans if initiatives are off track.
• Track and report cost savings, project sustainability, and employee engagement related to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze plant financials, including P&L and other internal data tools, to identify cost-saving opportunities and prioritize high-impact areas for improvement.
• Lead the implementation and sustainment of the Refresco Management System (RMS), ensuring alignment with plant objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and execute process improvement opportunities that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and increase plant output.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment, information sharing, and a unified approach to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Implement and promote best practices through the Best Practice Sharing process, fostering innovation and operational excellence.
• Define, monitor, and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure plant performance and drive accountability.
• Partner with plant leadership to enhance workplace safety by developing and executing strategies to reduce accidents, energy consumption, and material waste.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated success in implementing and driving cultural and operational improvements through structured change management.
• Hands‑on experience deploying Lean methodologies, including Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, and Visual Management, to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Skilled in planning, leading, and coaching Kaizen events to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, and Windows) with the ability to quickly adapt to new software applications. Experience with SAP is highly preferred.
• Comprehensive understanding of SQF standards with a strong sense of responsibility for Food Safety and Food Quality. Must take immediate action when any Food Safety or Quality issue is identified.
• Willingness to adjust work hours or shifts as needed based on production and operational demands.
• Ability to teach, coach, and apply structured problem‑solving methodologies such as 5‑Why and Fishbone Analysis to identify and eliminate the root causes of issues.
• Proactive in identifying opportunities, making data‑driven decisions, and executing improvements with a sense of urgency.
• Leadership – Foster a culture of empowerment by building relationships based on trust, lead courageously on a day‑to‑day basis, and inspire growth with a clear and ambitious vision that guides the collective effort toward success.
• Independence & Accountability – Take ownership of responsibilities, effectively prioritize multiple assignments, and work independently to drive results with minimal supervision.
• Organization & Time Management – Maintain strong organizational skills to manage competing deadlines, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness under pressure.
• Communication & Collaboration – Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Adaptability & Resilience – Thrive in dynamic environments by embracing change, demonstrating flexibility, and maintaining focus in fast‑paced, evolving work settings.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Engineering, Business or Operations.
• 2 – 3 years’ experience in Continuous Improvement required.
• Strong leadership capabilities in a fast-paced production environment required.
• Previous experience in the food/beverage manufacturing industry preferred.

Working Conditions

• Work Schedule: Weekdays, weekends, afternoon, evenings, overnight and holidays may be required.
• Work Environment: Operating in a fast-paced production plant with numerous moving parts. Noise levels require hearing protection and temperatures can get very hot and/or relatively cold. The environment is structured and supervised, with clear production targets and schedules to meet.
• Visual/Sensory – This position requires attention to detail, requiring attention with one or two senses at a time.
• Mental Stress – There is pronounced pressure from deadlines, project management, accuracy or similar demands.

Travel Requirements

• Travel anticipated: Rarely

Other Duties

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

A Career with Refresco

Refresco is passionate about empowering leaders who reflect our core values and live by our leadership behaviors. These behaviors encourage effective leadership within the business, and focus on leading courageously, empowering individuals, and driving company growth as one team. Joining our team as a people manager means you’ll be encouraged to evolve as a leader who prioritizes the success of both you and your team, to deliver results, whilst bringing your authentic self to work.

Refresco Beverages US Inc. offers the following competitive pay and comprehensive benefits:

• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
• Short‑term disability and long‑term disability
• Pet Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time OffDays
• Discount and Total Reward Programs

Refresco Beverages US Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, Veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.