Continuous Improvement - Training & Qualifications Manager

Shearer's Foods; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Shearer's Foods is seeking a Continuous Improvement - Training & Qualifications Manager to lead Lean initiatives, training and qualification programs across a Consumer Product facility. You will guide CI activities, coach Kaizen teams, and drive data-driven improvements in a 24/7 environment.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in manufacturing leadership, experience with CI tools such as Kaizen and Six Sigma, and a four-year degree in engineering/operations management or equivalent.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing plant leadership experience in a consumer product facility.
• CI tools such as Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, and related techniques.
• Experience with change management to improve training and qualification programs.
• Education: a four-year degree in engineering, operations management, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge in food science, engineering, or general business.
• Strong analytical, leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Create the CI Master Plan: develop and implement site-wide CI processes incl. Kaizen, productivity cycles, RCA and more.
• Lead Kaizen activities: coach and facilitate lean events to reduce losses and hit productivity targets.
• Implement health checks for CI and T&Q: ensure processes deliver results.
• Manage data systems: oversee automatic data collection and train users.
• Analyze metrics to reduce losses, focusing on OEE/TEEP.
• Drive reliability improvements for CI and T&Q, guiding data trend analysis.
• Support zero-loss goals with other function leaders.
• Facilitate benchmarking: lead internal and external benchmarking activities.
• Partner with leadership to drive Lean/CI initiatives across the site.
• Track progress and communicate CI/T&Q successes.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Organizational Skills

Flexibility

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Four-year degree in engineering/operations management or equivalent

Tools

Kaizen

5S

Six Sigma

Job description

Continuous Improvement - Training & Qualifications Manager

With a strong focus on innovation, service, quality, and sustainability, Shearer’s has been awarded the food industry’s highest award for environmental sustainability, as well as multiple Supplier of the Year awards.

Operating 16 locations across North America and employing more than 5000 team members, Shearer’s is driven by its core values of People, Grow, Impact and Win. The company mission is to deliver exceptional products and services that make snacking a time to celebrate for our customers, colleagues, and community.

At Shearer’s Foods, we believe in a skills-first approach to recruitment and employment. This means focusing on what you can do and how you can grow, rather than traditional metrics alone. We are committed to adhering to anti-exclusion practices, removing barriers to access, and enhancing opportunities for all individuals based on merit and potential. Your skills, experience, and perspective are valuable—and we want to empower you to make your mark here with us.

As the Continuous Improvement- Training & Qualifications Manager, you will be at the forefront of Lean Manufacturing, Focus Improvement and Training and Qualification initiatives. You will provide direction, support, and execution while embedding a culture of Continuous Improvement (CI) and T&Q (Training and Qualifications) across the facility. Here is what you’ll be doing:

• Creating the CI Master Plan: Develop and implement CI work processes at a site-wide level, including Kaizen, productivity cycles, RCA, and more.
• Leading Kaizen Activities: Use your Lean Six Sigma expertise to coach and facilitate activities that eliminate complex losses and achieve productivity targets.
• Implementing Health Checks for CI and T&Q: Ensure CI and T&Q work processes are delivering results consistently and effectively.
• Managing Data Systems: Oversee the automatic data collection system and train the team on its use and functionality.
• Performance Metrics: Analyze and reduce planned and unplanned losses, focusing on TEEP and OEE metrics.
• Driving Reliability Improvements for CI and T&Q: Own the Reliability Improvement Plan Work Processes, coaching others to analyze data and trends.
• Supporting Zero Loss Goals: Work with other function leaders to help them achieve their zero loss objectives.
• Facilitating Benchmarking: Lead internal and external benchmarking and replication activities.
• Partnering with Leadership: Collaborate with facility operations and corporate leaders to drive Lean/CI initiatives.
• Tracking Progress for CI and T&Q: Maintain and communicate metrics that record successes and track progress.
• Supporting Engineering Initiatives: Support capital improvement and other engineering projects related to continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing plant leadership experience as a production manager, manager, or similar role in a consumer product manufacturing facility.
• Continuous Improvement some experience with CI tools like Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, and other engagement and process improvement techniques.
• Training and Qualifications some experience with change management initiatives to improve training and qualification programs.
• Education: A four-year degree in engineering, operations management, or equivalent experience
• Knowledge: Applicable academic and/or professional experience in food science, engineering, or general business.
• Analytical Skills: Great analytical abilities to understand complex manufacturing systems.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams through influence.
• Organizational Skills: Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Flexibility: Ability and willingness to work a varied schedule to support a 24/7 operation.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.