Manager- Manufacturing Continuous Improvement

Reser's Fine Foods; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical

dental

vision

AD&D

life

401(k) with discretionary match

wellness programs

paid time off

company paid holidays

a variety of voluntary benefit options

Job summary

Reser's Fine Foods seeks a Lean Manufacturing leader to drive continuous improvement across the plant in Topeka, KS. You will roll out lean initiatives, guide cross-functional teams, mentor staff, and ensure cost-reduction and efficiency gains through structured Kaizen events and robust data analysis.

This role requires senior experience in manufacturing, strong communication, and the ability to influence across all levels, including executing change across the supply chain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in engineering or closely related field required; High School Diploma or equivalent also acceptable.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, or lean certification may substitute for formal degree.
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience required; food industry experience preferred.
• Proficient in evaluating reports and using independent decision making based on information.
• Proficient at writing reports to synthesize information for leaders.
• Ability to motivate and influence floor and staff across the organization.
• Excellent spoken and written communication across all levels of the organization.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365.
• English/Spanish bilingual is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develops short- and long-term strategies with the General Manager for continuous improvement initiatives.
• Leads change management with cross-functional teams to ensure lean initiative success.
• Manages Kaizen events, workshops, and training; shares guidance and expertise.
• Develops and uses tools to maximize lean effectiveness (e.g., SPC, lean concepts, daily huddles).
• Conducts research/analysis to map workflows, identify waste, and recommend solutions.
• Monitors project progress to meet measurable standards and sustain results.
• Ensures best practices are identified and shared across the plant and organization.
• Builds collaborative relationships with internal and external customers and across the supply chain.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Change management

Cross-functional teamwork

Data analysis

MS Office 365

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering / related field

HS Diploma or equivalent

Tools

SPC

Continuous improvement tools

Job description

Description

General Summary: Responsible for the leadership of continuous improvement within the manufacturing plant. This includes the rollout and execution of lean manufacturing related activities, processes, and plans.

Benefits and Culture

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to help employees live a healthier life, build rewarding careers and save for the future. Reser's offers choices whenever possible, because we recognize the diverse and ever changing needs of our employees.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• AD&D
• life
• 401(k) with discretionary match
• wellness programs
• paid time off
• company paid holidays
• a variety of voluntary benefit options

We strive to be your Employer of Choice. As one of our five cornerstones, this means that we go all-out to create an environment that shows we are committed to investing in employee growth and creating a culture of belonging where employees want to build a lasting career.

Visit our website to learn more about our competitive benefit programs - https://www.resers.com/careers/#benefits

This position is eligible for a bonus based on company goals/performance.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• 1. Develops short-term and long-term strategies in collaboration and alignment with the General Manager for continuous process improvement initiatives and provides leadership to ensure successful implementation of lean concepts to address workflow inefficiencies or reduce costs.
• 2. Proactively manages change with cross functional teams as a manager and mentor to ensure continuous improvement success.
• 3. Manage Kaizen events, workshops, training/education sharing guidance and technical expertise in various continuous improvement processes.
• 4. Develops and utilizes tools that will maximize the effectiveness of lean and sustain them over time. This includes but is not limited to SPC, lean manufacturing, pass down meetings, and other related continuous improvement tools.
• 5. Conducts research and analysis as needed which may include mapping out workflows, identifying opportunities to remove waste or low-value activities, completing other gap analysis and recommending solutions.
• 6. Monitors progress of projects and initiatives to achieve and sustain desired results versus measurable standards.
• 7. Ensures processes and practices are in place to identify and share best practices with the plant and across the organization.
• 8. Provides a professional work environment with internal and external customers. Must be able to effectively manage up, down, and across the organization and successfully build collaborative relations across the supply chain.

Job Specifications

• 1. Bachelor's in Engineering, Systems Implementation, Process Improvement, Business, or closely related field required. High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• 2. Educational requirement may be substituted for equivalent combination of education, training/study/formal certification in lean processes and related experience including all aspect of manufacturing process.
• 3. 5+ years' experience in manufacturing experience is required; food industry experience is preferred.
• 4. Proficient in critical evaluation and analysis of reports, using independent decision making to recommend or take appropriate actions based on information received.
• 5. Proficient at writing reports to synthesize information and to communicate to leaders.
• 6. Ability to motivate and influence floor and staff associates in all activities desired.
• 7. Must be able to speak, listen, and write proficiently to communicate to all levels of organization in all areas of expertise.
• 8. Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 suite of products.
• 9. English/Spanish bilingual is a plus.

Working Conditions

• 1. Refrigerated food manufacturing plant.
• 2. The environment may be wet or dry and temperatures may range from 25F to 110F.
• 3. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk working on a computer required while in the office. Prolonged periods of standing, kneeling, bending, and occasional lifting items in excess of 50 lbs while on manufacturing floor.
• 4. Production demands may require evening or weekend scheduling.

Recipe for Success

Reser's is the leading provider of fresh refrigerated deli salads, side dishes, and prepared foods for the supermarket, club store, and food service industries. Family owned and operated, Reser's has been a proud sponsor of good times at racetracks, picnics, BBQs, music festivals, and affordable family meals since 1950. Reser's family of brands include Reser's American Classics, Main St Bistro, Stonemill Kitchens, and more. With more than 4,500 employees, Reser's operates 14 facilities in the US, Mexico, and Canada and actively supports the communities it serves.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.