Continuous Improvement Specialist

Nestle; Fremont Township (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Nestlé Gerber in the United States seeks a Factory Specialist ME to strengthen TPM routines, build Local Leadership Team capability, and improve data reliability. You will support loss elimination and drive key improvement initiatives across the production department.

You will collaborate with LLT and shop floor teams, lead governance for execution, and coach staff on systems health and process improvements. A strong manufacturing background and problem-solving mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or related field preferred; equivalent combination considered.

Responsibilities

• Supports definition, alignment and implementation of the Local Leadership Team performance improvement plan/strategy.
• Co-develop Local Leadership improvement strategy that considers factory operational master plan, loss analysis, and external benchmarks.
• Gain alignment from LLT/Stakeholders around the improvement plan and roll out across Production.
• Develop long-term TPM rollout plans and other factory enablers (Digital, CAPEX, MUV/cost savings).
• Lead key improvement projects and build key competencies within LLT.
• Ensure governance and routines at LLT levels to track execution and sustainability.
• Spend time on shop floor to evaluate maturity and identify opportunities.
• Provide guidance and feedback to LLT and align corrective actions.
• Train and coach LLT/shop floor on systems health and competencies (Cleaning/Inspection, Centerline, Changeover).
• Evaluate maturity of key systems and guide conversations to improve.

Skills

Collaboration

Cross-functional teamwork

Coaching

Analytics

Digital systems

Problem solving

TPM/Lean

Change management

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

SAP

Prometheus

POKA

Power BI

DMO

Job description

As the world leader in nutrition, health and wellness for children from birth to preschool, Gerber Products Company is committed to creating a strong future. We joined the Nestlé Nutrition family in 2007, and have been a partner in parenthood ever since. Our Anything for Baby team works closely with experts to create products that enrich and establish healthy habits for children, and are good for the planet as well. A career at Gerber provides meaningful opportunities to develop professionally, and nurture generations to come. Now is the time to define your future, and ours too.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Factory Specialist ME actively helps improve factory performance by strengthening TPM routines, building capability across Local Leadership Team (LLT) and shop floor teams, improving data reliability, supporting loss elimination, and accelerating execution of key improvement initiatives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILTIES:

Supports definition, alignment and implementation of the Local Leadership Team performance improvement plan/strategy

Co-develop Local Leadership improvement strategy that considers:

Factory Operational Master Plan

Loss Analysis / External Benchmarks

Gain alignment from the Local Leadership Team (LLT) / Key Stakeholders around the improvement plan and support roll out across the Production Department

Improvement plan to deliver the expected results that include:

Long-term TPM rollout plans

Other factory key enablers (Digital, CAPEX, MUV/cost savings, etc)

Key improvement projects

Key competency building activities

• External support requirements

Support the execution of the improvement plan by:

• Ensuring proper governance / routines at LLT levels to track execution progression and improvement sustainability

• Spending time on shop floor to evaluate maturity progression and identify key opportunities

• Providing guidance and feedback to LLT and aligning corrective actions to adjust improvement plan

Develop Critical Competence within Local Leadership Team (e.g. ability to identify opportunities to transform workplace, people, and behaviors to deliver results through GEMBA visits)

Partner with HR / Training to establish and evaluate robustness of function/pillar capability plan for LLT

Train and coach LLT / shop floor owners on systems health and competencies (e.g. Cleaning/Inspection, Centerline, Changeover) and elevate for external support as needed

Evaluates maturity of key systems and provides feedback to functional / pillar leads and guides conversations around steps to improve

Member of FI Pillar, which includes development competence building and health of FI systems and routines (Problem solving, Project & Stakeholder Management, Loss Intelligence, etc.)

Accountable for FI pillar and Industrial Performance related activities within the Local Leadership Team, including health and competency building of systems/routines such as labor utilization studies, data reliability, SAP BOM/Master Data, Planning Rate Reviews, Asset Intensity systems (DMO), Tagging/Prometheus, St 21-908, Capacity Utilization, etc

REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL:

High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant work experience considered in lieu of a degree.

EXPERIENCE:

• 1-3 years of experience in Manufacturing

• 1-3 years working with Factory Management & Leadership team, with success in supporting & developing cross-functional teams

• 1-3 years with an active role on the implementation of Goal Alignment/TPM/Lean

• Understanding of cultural change management, process improvement and business connections

• Experience working with Line labor standards, Budget preparation/review, and line capability/speed studies

• 1-3 years working & developing improvement projects, loss analysis, & strong experience in leading /applying problem solving tools

SKILLS:

Ability to collaborate well with others and work cross-functionally across shop floor, LLT, and factory leadership levels

Strong coaching and influencing skills with the ability to build capability and drive behavioral change

Analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to interpret manufacturing losses, performance trends, and operational data to identify improvement opportunities

Digital skills and past exposure to digital systems (should have experience with Microsoft Office), otherwise with strong desire to learn (SAP, DMO, Prometheus, POKA, Power BI)

Goal Alignment/TPM/Lean/Continuous Improvement methodologies

Ability to manage multiple improvement initiatives simultaneously, prioritize work, and drive execution through cross-functional teams

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [e-mail] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

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Job Requisition: 412775