Continuous Improvement Manager

Refresco; Paw Paw (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to drive efficiency and innovation within their manufacturing plant. This role is crucial for developing and sustaining CI initiatives, empowering employees, and enhancing productivity. The ideal candidate will have a strong Lean mindset and the ability to lead Kaizen events, ensuring a culture of continuous improvement. Join a passionate team that values leadership and personal growth, and be part of a company that is committed to excellence in the beverage industry. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are ready to make an impact, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) savings plan with company match

Paid holidays and vacation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 2-3 years in Continuous Improvement.
• Strong leadership capabilities in a fast-paced production environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead Continuous Improvement activities and coach employees in CI tools.
• Develop and execute improvement plans in collaboration with leadership.

Skills

Lean Methodology

Change Management

Root Cause Analysis

Coaching and Mentoring

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business or Operations

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

Job description

Paw Paw
38279 W Red Arrow Hwy
Paw Paw, MI 49079, USA

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?

Summary Description:

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for the development, coordination, and sustainment of the Continuous Improvement activities within the manufacturing plant. The CI Manager will partner with the Plant Leadership team to further deploy CI initiatives throughout the facility. The CI Manager will lead Continuous Improvement activities and train and develop others in the plant to lead similar projects. This position requires a strong Lean knowledge and mindset. The Continuous Improvement Manager will require extensive time on the productive floor driving sustainable improvements while gaining buy in from all levels of the plant.

Essential Functions

1. Develop and assist in executing improvement plans to the company strategy by partnering with the Plant Leadership team and Sr. Regional OPEX Manager.
2. Lead, facilitate, and coach Kaizen events to drive sustainable results in safety, first pass quality, direct labor, yield, and indirect labor.
3. Coach and mentor CI tools to empower all employees in 8 Wastes, Standard Work, SMED, 5S, and Center lining.
4. Ensure a continually 1-year pipeline of productivity ideas and capital opportunities.
5. Facilitates planning meeting to validate savings, status of projects, and is create contingencies if plan is off-track.
6. Tracks all cost savings project savings, sustainment, and employee engagement.
7. Ability to read and understand the P&L and other in-house data tools to perform analysis to identify cost savings initiatives and to understand and prioritize bleeders.
8. Responsible for implementation and coaching of Refresco Management System (RMS).
9. Actively seek and evaluate process improvements in the plant and translates them in CI projects helping to increase output and efficiency in the plant.
10. Operates cross functionally to assure information flow and understanding of overall process improvement direction and expected results.
11. Implements and shares best practices and new ideas driven by Best Practice Sharing process.
12. Helps define and maintain KPI structure at plant.
13. Partners with local leadership to maintaining a safe working environment through the development of strategies focused on accident reduction as well as energy and waste minimization.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

1. Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Engineering, Business or Operations.
2. Two to three years’ experience in the Continuous Improvement required.
3. Strong leadership capabilities in a fast-paced production environment required.
4. Candidates with previous experience in the food/beverage manufacturing industry preferred.

Position-Specific Skills:

1. Proven ability to drive change
2. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Windows, Excel, & Outlook) with the ability to learn new applications as required. SAP experience is highly preferred.
3. An understanding of SQF, responsibility for Food Safety /Food Quality and the responsibility to act when notified or becomes aware of any Food Safety or Food Quality issue.
4. Must be flexible to work alternate shifts if production needs allow.
5. Ability to teach Root Cause Analysis

Physical Demands:

1. Physical - Continuously standing or walking. Regular requirements to lift/handle/carry material or equipment of moderate weight.
2. Visual/Sensory - This position requires regular need to give moderate attention with one or two senses at a time.
3. Work environment - Work and environment are very repetitive.
4. Climate - This position requires the incumbent to have the ability to work in ambient hot and/or cold seasonal environments.

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 offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, which include:

1. Medical/dental/vision insurance
2. Life insurance
3. 401(k) savings plan with company match
4. Paid holidays and vacation

Join Refresco TODAY and enjoy a rewarding CAREER!