Continuous Improvement Specialist

Glanbia Nutritionals, Inc.; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

Family leave

Health plan

Dental plan

401(k)

Job summary

Glanbia Nutritionals, Inc. in Carlsbad, CA seeks a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead site-wide Lean initiatives, drive cost savings, and improve safety, quality, delivery, and inventory accuracy through structured problem solving and coaching.

You will partner with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to apply 5S, visual management, standard work, rate-lock, and One Right Way, while delivering measurable improvements using SAP, DQS, SAC Analytics, and Excel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college and 5+ years of related experience.
• Experience applying Lean Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, identify root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Experience working with operational data and business systems, including strong Excel skills; SAP, DQS, SAC Analytics, or similar systems experience is preferred.
• Ability to create reports, procedures, dashboards, and business communications and present information effectively to varied audiences.
• Strong project management, prioritization, facilitation, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Lead site-wide improvement and cost-saving initiatives.
• Partner with site leadership to improve KPIs using Lean tools such as Focused Improvement, 5S, and visual management.
• Lead the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control process for OEE improvement across the plant.
• Coach operators, maintenance personnel, and leaders on improvement tools and processes.
• Create and maintain daily review boards, measurement boards, team progress boards, dashboards, and other plant communication tools.
• Use SAP, Excel, DQS, and SAC Analytics to monitor performance, yields, on-time delivery, labor hours, inventory, and other metrics.
• Conduct cycle counts, investigate inventory discrepancies, and develop preventive actions to improve inventory accuracy.
• Lead complex cross-functional projects and communicate risks or barriers to management.
• Support safety initiatives and apply Lean tools to safety improvements.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Data analysis

Problem solving

5S

Visual management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

DQS

SAC Analytics

Excel

Job description

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We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead site-level improvement and cost-saving initiatives. Partnering with plant leadership and cross-functional teams, you will use Lean Manufacturing, data analysis, and structured problem solving to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory accuracy, and overall equipment effectiveness. This role will also help build a strong continuous improvement culture by coaching employees, leading plant-wide initiatives, and creating practical systems that sustain results.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Partner with site leadership to improve key performance indicators using Focused Improvement, 5S, visual management, and other Lean Manufacturing tools.

Lead the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control process for Overall Equipment Effectiveness improvement across the plant.

Serve as the site champion and subject matter expert for Root Cause Analysis, troubleshooting, and structured problem solving.

Lead and coordinate plant-wide 5S, standard work, centerlining, rate-lock, and One Right Way initiatives.

Create and maintain daily review boards, measurement boards, team progress boards, dashboards, and other plant communication tools.

Use SAP, Excel, DQS, and SAC Analytics to monitor performance, yields, on-time delivery, labor hours, inventory, and other operational metrics.

Conduct cycle counts, investigate inventory discrepancies, and develop preventive actions that improve inventory accuracy.

Partner with Planning and Inventory Control to resolve batch-record discrepancies, packaging shortages, and non-inventory stock issues.

Analyze production supply usage and collaborate with vendors and site teams to reduce waste, usage, and cost.

Identify Lean training needs, deliver training solutions, and coach operators, maintenance personnel, and leaders on improvement tools and processes.

Lead complex cross-functional projects, provide project updates, and communicate risks or barriers to management.

Partner with Maintenance to strengthen preventive maintenance schedules, equipment reliability, and emergency maintenance decision-making.

Liaise with IT on SAP and DQS functional requirements, user-acceptance testing, and troubleshooting of scanners and plant computer systems.

Partner with the Safety Committee to apply Lean tools to safety improvement and audit the injury and near-miss review process.

Encourage employee engagement and ownership in continuous improvement programs and support the site's zero-waste initiatives.

Support after-hours response during plant outages and emergencies and perform other duties as assigned.

The Skills You Will Bring to the Team

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university; a minimum of five years of related experience or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience applying Lean Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and/or traditional project management principles in a manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, identify root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.

Experience working with operational data and business systems, including strong Excel skills; SAP, DQS, SAC Analytics, or similar systems experience is preferred.

Ability to create reports, procedures, dashboards, and business communications and present information effectively to varied audiences.

Strong project management, prioritization, facilitation, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Ability to teach, train, coach, and influence others while building engagement across functions and levels.

Creative, improvement-oriented mindset with a willingness to challenge past solutions and find better ways of working.

Strong mathematical and analytical ability, including calculating rates, ratios, percentages, and interpreting charts and graphs.

Commitment to all applicable safety, food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Where and How You Will Work

This is an on-site manufacturing role based in Carlsbad, CA.

Minimal overnight travel, up to 10%, may be required.

What We Would Like to Offer You!

The opportunity to develop your career on a global stage, continuous learning through an on-demand learning platform, and a competitive compensation package including staff discounts, a generous family leave policy, health and dental plans, competitive salary, and 401(k).

Compensation

Compensation for roles at Glanbia varies depending on a wide range of factors including but not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set and level of experience. Glanbia provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired in IL. This range may not be applicable to other locations. Factors that could be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, years of experience and comparison to current employees already in this role. The typical candidate is hired below midpoint of the range. The annual salary for IL based employees for this role is $65,000 - $75,000 with an annual bonus.

About Glanbia

Glanbia is a better nutrition company with three divisions: Performance Nutrition, Health & Nutrition, and Dairy Nutrition. Collectively and with our partners, we offer an incredible breadth of expertise in nutrition. We work with global food and beverage companies and sell our award-winning, market-leading brands and ingredients in countries around the world.

At Glanbia, we celebrate diversity because we know our individual strengths make us stronger together. We welcome and encourage interest from a variety of candidates and will give your application consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

At Glanbia, our culture celebrates individuality, knowing that together we are more.