Manufacturing Excellence Specialist

Nestlé S.A.; Mount Sterling (KY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with company match

Healthcare coverage

Job summary

Nestlé USA is seeking a Manufacturing Excellence Specialist in Kentucky to advance factory performance and TPM routines. You will partner with the Local Leadership Team and shop floor teams to turn opportunities into sustainable improvements.

The role emphasizes hands-on coaching, data-driven analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to drive cost-saving initiatives, capital projects, and capability-building through GEMBA visits and training.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of manufacturing experience.
• 1–3 years partnering with factory management and leadership teams.
• 1–3 years of TPM, Lean, or continuous improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the factory performance improvement strategy.
• Translate analysis and benchmarks into a practical improvement roadmap.
• Drive alignment among LLT and stakeholders to roll out priorities.
• Shape the factory improvement plan, TPM deployment, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Establish governance and sustain results; coach teams on the shop floor.

Skills

Collaboration

Coaching

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Cross-functional teamwork

Leadership

Prioritization

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

DMO

Prometheus

POKA

Power BI

Job description

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow.

At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives.

Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk‑taking, and pioneer new ideas.

Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Manufacturing Excellence Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manufacturing Excellence (ME) Specialist is a key partner in advancing factory performance and building a culture of continuous improvement. This role works closely with the Local Leadership Team (LLT) and shop floor teams to strengthen Total Performance Management (TPM) routines, improve data reliability, eliminate operational losses, and accelerate high‑impact improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical thinking with hands‑on coaching and influencing skills to turn opportunities into sustainable results.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with the Local Leadership Team to define, align, and execute the factory performance improvement strategy.
• Translate the Factory Operational Master Plan, loss analysis, and external benchmarks into a practical roadmap that improves performance and builds long‑term capability.
• Drive alignment among LLT members and key stakeholders, supporting effective rollout of improvement priorities across Production.
• Shape and coordinate the factory improvement plan, including long‑term TPM deployment, digital solutions, capital projects, material usage variance and cost‑saving opportunities, key improvement projects, capability‑building activities, and external support needs.
• Establish effective governance and review routines that track progress, reinforce accountability, and sustain results.
• Maintain a strong shop floor presence to assess maturity, identify opportunities, coach teams, and align corrective actions.
• Build critical improvement capabilities within the LLT and shop floor teams through GEMBA visits, practical coaching, and targeted development.
• Partner with HR and Training to develop and evaluate robust functional and pillar capability plans.
• Train and coach system owners on Cleaning and Inspection, Centerline, Changeover, and other core operating systems; coordinate external support when needed.
• Evaluate the maturity and health of key systems, provide actionable feedback to functional and pillar leaders, and guide improvement priorities.
• Serve as an active member of the Focused Improvement (FI) Pillar, strengthening problem‑solving, project and stakeholder management, loss intelligence, and related routines.
• Lead FI Pillar and Industrial Performance activities within the LLT, including labor utilization studies, data reliability, SAP BOM and master data, planning rate reviews, Asset Intensity systems (DMO), Tagging/Prometheus, ST 21-908, and capacity utilization.

EDUCATION

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience will be considered.

EXPERIENCE

• 1–3 years of manufacturing experience.
• 1–3 years partnering with factory management and leadership teams, with demonstrated success supporting and developing cross‑functional teams.
• 1–3 years of active involvement in Goal Alignment, TPM, Lean, or continuous improvement implementation.
• Working knowledge of cultural change management, process improvement, and the connection between operational performance and business results.
• Experience with line labor standards, budget preparation or review, and line capability or speed studies.
• Experience leading improvement projects, analyzing losses, and applying structured problem‑solving tools.

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES

• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to build trusted partnerships across shop floor teams, the LLT, and factory leadership.
• Effective coaching and influencing skills, with the ability to build capability and support lasting behavioral change.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to interpret manufacturing losses, performance trends, and operational data to identify opportunities.
• Ability to manage multiple improvement initiatives, set priorities, and drive execution through cross‑functional teams.
• Working knowledge of Goal Alignment, TPM, Lean, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and an interest in learning or expanding capability in SAP, DMO, Prometheus, POKA, and Power BI.

Salary:$74,969.10 to$100,552.00 per year

Bonus Eligibility:Yes

Thepay rangeprovided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills and abilities as well as geographic location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at top of range.

Nestlé offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k with company match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position. Learn more at https://www.nestlejobs.com/nestle-in-the-us-benefits

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [e-mail] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.