Industrial Performance Specialist

Russell Stover Chocolates; Abilene (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Russell Stover Chocolates in Abilene, KS is seeking an Industrial Performance Specialist to drive the TPM program and operational excellence across the plant. You will coach teams, optimize productivity, and translate data into actionable improvements.

Collaborating with Engineering, Production, and QA, you will implement 5S, SMED, and KPI tracking, champion standardized work, and help build a culture of continuous learning and accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 3+ years in manufacturing, industrial performance, continuous improvement, or operational excellence roles.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, TPM, or Operational Excellence systems.
• Practical SAP or ERP experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of financial analysis and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Advanced computer literacy including Microsoft Office and integrated business systems.
• Strong analytical skills to convert data into actionable improvement plans.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and train teams across the organization.
• Excellent communication skills and fluent English.

Responsibilities

• Drive TPM and Lean practices (5S, visual mgmt, standard work, loss elimination).
• Analyze manufacturing data, identify losses, and lead improvement projects (OEE, throughput).
• Coordinate PCS, Obeya, KPI tracking, and daily management processes.
• Lead structured problem‑solving and cross‑functional improvement workshops.
• Lead SMED/changeover reduction and improve line flexibility.
• Use SAP and manufacturing systems to extract and translate data for leadership.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Supply Chain.
• Coach teams on KPIs, standards, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen events

Root cause analysis

Visual management

Standard work

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you’ll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let’s continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life…

As the Industrial Performance (IP) Specialist, you will serve as a catalyst for change within our Abilene, KS manufacturing facility, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence across the organization. You will lead and support the execution of the TPM Program, helping to strengthen a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous learning. Working collaboratively with Engineering, Production Planning, Human Resources, EH&S, Finance, Logistics, Procurement, and QA/R&D, you will identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency while delivering sustainable business results. You will champion performance‑driven people development by coaching teams, promoting best practices, and supporting the adoption of standardized processes, performance management systems, and continuous improvement methodologies. Through strong partnership and influence across all levels of the organization, you will help foster a data‑driven, results‑oriented culture focused on achieving operational and business objectives.

What You Will Be Doing…

• Drive TPM and Lean manufacturing practices, including 5S, visual management, shopfloor performance routines, loss elimination, and standardized work.
• Analyze manufacturing performance data to identify operational losses, prioritize improvement opportunities, and deliver measurable business results. Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, OEE, waste reduction, labor efficiency, quality, throughput, and equipment performance.
• Coordinate and sustain Performance Control Systems (PCS), Obeya, and daily management processes, including KPI tracking, performance boards, tiered meetings, and action follow‑up.
• Facilitate structured problem‑solving activities and cross‑functional improvement workshops to address downtime, process variability, and operational challenges.
• Lead SMED and changeover reduction initiatives by analyzing setup losses, implementing best practices, and improving line flexibility and efficiency.
• Utilize SAP and other manufacturing systems to extract, validate, report, and translate operational data into actionable insights for plant leadership.
• Partner closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Supply Chain teams to improve equipment effectiveness, process stability, and operational performance.
• Act as a change agent by coaching teams on KPIs, operational standards, continuous improvement methodologies, and performance‑driven behaviors.
• Support the deployment and sustainability of the plant’s Industrial Performance strategy while fostering accountability, collaboration, and a culture of operational excellence.

This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, industrial performance, continuous improvement, or operational excellence roles.
• Experience working within Lean Manufacturing, TPM, or Operational Excellence systems.
• Practical SAP or ERP system experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of financial analysis and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Advanced computer literacy including Microsoft Office, Excel, and integrated business systems.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to convert data into actionable improvement plans.
• Ability to share expertise and best practices across the organization by coaching, mentoring, and training team members.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.

Do you stand above the rest?

(Preferred Qualifications)

• 5+ years of manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting TPM pillar deployment or continuous improvement programs.
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events, improvement workshops, and cross‑functional projects.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Experience implementing visual management and standard work systems.
• Exposure to food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, confectionery, or high‑speed production environments.
• Strong organization, planning, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Experience Life at Russell Stover Plants!

• Safety First: Your well‑being is our top priority, and we’ve got you covered with protective gear. On day one, you’ll dive into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, and we’ll keep you on your toes with daily safety tips to ensure you’re always in the know!
• Surroundings: Get ready to work alongside a variety of equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and those irresistible chocolate candy banks/steels – it’s a dynamic environment where every day brings something new!
• Active & Engaging Work: Whether you’re on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there’s never a dull moment. This is a place where you’ll stay on the move!
• Comfortable Climate: In most roles, you will be comfortable year‑round with our climate‑controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells: The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate, and by the time your shift ends, you might just leave smelling like chocolate!
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything running smoothly.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.