Continuous Improvement Specialist- Industrial Graduate Program

Ferrero; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Ferrero Louisville is launching its Industrial Graduate Program, a 4-year journey designed to fast-track new graduates into leadership roles within food manufacturing. The Continuous Improvement Specialist will join the Production team, driving efficiency, standardizing processes, and leading cross-functional improvement projects.

You will gain hands-on experience, mentor, and rotate through two plants, applying FOX initiatives, Power BI data reviews, and SQCDME metrics.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies is a plus.
• Willingness to relocate for the rotation program.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data tools.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Production Unit and Department managers to gather and implement improvement ideas.
• Standardize continuous improvement practices across production units.
• Lead improvement initiatives with measurable results in SQCDME.

Skills

Continuous improvement

Lean Six Sigma

Power BI

Microsoft Office

Education

Industrial Engineering

Business Operations Management

Tools

Power BI

Job description

About the Role

Ferrero North America is thrilled to be launching its Industrial Graduate Program (IGP), a career acceleration program, which seeks to groom top new graduate talent interested into the future leaders within food manufacturing.

About the Role

Ferrero North America is thrilled to be launching its Industrial Graduate Program (IGP), a career acceleration program, which seeks to groom top new graduate talent interested into the future leaders within food manufacturing.

The IGP offers a comprehensive 4-year journey, which will prepare candidates for a career with Ferrero Industrial through mentorship, technical training in the role, as well as a supplementary training curriculum to support your development. This program embodies the Learning by Doing spirit of Ferrero, and will introduce new graduates to the industrial setting, learning the “Ferrero Way” and exploring industrial career path opportunities.

This 4 year program will include the first 2 years in the Home location and the 3rd and 4th year on a rotation to two different plants within Ferrero North America, to expand your breadth of experience with the company and in Manufacturing.

Ferrero Louisville, home to beloved brands like Little Brownie Bakers® , Keebler Cookes® and Famous Amos® is looking for a Continuous Improvement Specialist to join our Production team! At Ferrero, we believe in the continuous improvement of our people, our products and our manufacturing operations. In joining this team, you will play a crucial role in transforming our processes and driving operational efficiency in food manufacturing plant being brought into the future. This position offers a unique opportunity to get hands on with challenges, be a creative problem solver, test your agility and adaptability, while making a tangible impact on our bakery's success.

• Collaborate closely with Production and other cross-functional teams to develop and implement innovative solutions.
• Analyze current processes and identify areas for improvement within the bakery operations.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, utilizing tools and methodologies to achieve measurable results.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and engagement among team members.
• Monitor progress and assess the effectiveness of implemented changes.

Main Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by collaborating with Production Unit managers and Department managers to gather and implement improvement ideas and projects, ensuring expected results.
• Standardize the dissemination of continuous improvement practices and align with Group and Plant strategies across Production units and departments.
• Facilitate and recognize continuous improvement across plant functions, fostering collaboration locally and with the Professional Family.
• Define and standardize work processes to enhance efficiency.
• Measure and share the efficacy of continuous improvement initiatives in Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Motivation and Environment (SQCDME), enabling a continuous feedback loop.
• Collect and promote improvement initiatives from plant resources and identify new opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Assist Continuous Improvement Manager in analyzing potential benefits of new improvement ideas and identifying improvement areas in plant processes.
• Provide support for root cause analysis and solution identification using specific techniques and tools.
• Verify the sustainability of results from Ferrero Operational Excellence (FOX) initiatives and standardize outcomes at the local level, formalizing procedures as needed.
• Evaluate and promote the application of FOX initiatives, involving relevant functions.
• Support the implementation of Smart Factory applications and manage related continuous improvement efforts, including data review and app configuration using Power BI.

About You

• Graduated (Bachelors or Masters) within 1 year (12 months) of application
• Preference to those with degrees in: Industrial Engineering, Business Operations Management, or related field
• Familiarity with improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma an asset
• Must be open to relocation.
• Ambition to work in a fast paced, manufacturing environment.
• Highly proficient with use of Microsoft Office.
• Skilled in building rapport and interpersonal communication.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

As part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.

What We Offer

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.

About Ferrero

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.

DE&I at Ferrero

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.

Find out more here.

Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic.

Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.