Manager, Bakery- Continuous Improvement

Aspire Bakeries; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Culture

Health & Wellness

Work-Life Balance

Financial Security

Growth & Development

Flexibility & Support

Recognition & Rewards

Job summary

Aspire Bakeries is seeking a Manager, Bakery- Continuous Improvement to lead Lean Transformation strategies at the Van Nuys, CA bakery. This role focuses on driving operational excellence, safety, and cost reduction while shaping a culture of continuous improvement across the site.

You will coach teams, run Kaizen events, and deliver training to sustain improvements, with a first shift of 6:00 AM–3:00 PM and a salary range of $70,000–$100,000.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of Lean Transformation in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Continuous Improvement methodologies, TPM, Lean Manufacturing, and Lean Six Sigma.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment and lift up to 25 pounds around flour dust.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the bakery's Lean Transformation Plan aligned with plant and corporate objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and operational performance.
• Facilitate Lean projects, Kaizen events, and value stream mapping activities to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
• Coach leaders and team members on Lean principles, daily management systems, and standard work practices.
• Develop and deliver continuous improvement training and communication programs to support organizational adoption.
• Analyze operational performance data to identify opportunities, implement solutions, and sustain results.
• Lead capital improvement projects and commissioning activities to achieve targeted business outcomes and ROI.

Skills

Lean Transformation

Project Management

Communication

Problem Solving

Leadership

Kaizen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

Value Stream Mapping

Kaizen Event Facilitation

Job description

Hungry for a career that's as rewarding as it is delicious?

At Aspire Bakeries, we don't just bake breads, cookies, and cakes - we create foods that bring people together. From La Brea Bakery artisan breads to Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, our products are enjoyed by millions of people every day. And behind every bite are talented manufacturing and support teams who take pride in their work and our food.

We're looking for hard-working people who will bring integrity, creativity, and a passion for excellence to everything they do - whether that's on the bakery floor, in the office, or supporting customers. In return, we offer a workplace culture built on care, ownership, and growth - where your contributions matter and your career can rise as high as our bread loaves!

With 13 commercial bakeries across North America and a reputation as an industry leader, Aspire Bakeries is rising together with our people and our customers to be the best all-around bakery solution. If you're ready to grow with us, we'd love to hear from you

Why You'll Love Working At Aspire Bakeries

• Culture - Our culture thrives on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for excellence. We support team members, empower growth, and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.
• Health & Wellness - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-paid life insurance and additional voluntary options to fit your needs.
• Work-Life Balance - Paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and holidays so you can recharge and spend time on what matters most.
• Financial Security - Competitive retirement plans, plus short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Growth & Development - Opportunities to build skills, grow your career, and develop expertise through Aspire Bakeries' learning and development programs.
• Flexibility & Support - HSA and FSA plans to help you manage everyday expenses.
• Recognition & Rewards - Performance incentive plans that celebrate achievements across sales, bakery performance, and individual contributions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Manager, Ba kery- Continuous Improvement to join our team at our Van Nuys, CA bakery. As a Manager, Bakery- Continuous Improvement, you will lead the bakery's Lean Transformation strategy, driving operational excellence, productivity improvements, and cost reduction initiatives. This role is vital to strengthening Lean capabilities, improving business performance, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and operational efficiency.

Shift & Schedule

• Shift: 1st Shift
• Hours: 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Compensation

Salary Range: $70,000 - $100,000

Core Accountabilities (What You'll be Doing)

• Lead the development and execution of the bakery's Lean Transformation Plan aligned with plant and corporate objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and operational performance.
• Facilitate Lean projects, Kaizen events, and value stream mapping activities to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
• Coach leaders and team members on Lean principles, daily management systems, and standard work practices.
• Develop and deliver continuous improvement training and communication programs to support organizational adoption.
• Analyze operational performance data to identify opportunities, implement solutions, and sustain results.
• Lead capital improvement projects and commissioning activities to achieve targeted business outcomes and return on investment.

Minimum Qualifications (What You Bring to the Table)

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading Lean Transformation initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Continuous Improvement methodologies, TPM, Lean Manufacturing, and Lean Six Sigma.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment, including standing, walking, climbing, and occasionally lifting up to 25 pounds while working around moving equipment, varying temperatures, and flour dust.

Preferred Qualifications (Extra Ingredients for Success)

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide or multi-site continuous improvement initiatives.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis activities.
• Food manufacturing, bakery, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry experience.

Aspire Bakeries LLC values the contribution each Team Member brings to our organization. The final determination of a successful candidate's starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to location, shift, education, skill, and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed in this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive compensation package that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet your needs. For union-represented postings, wage rates and ranges are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, and select applicants.