Associate Manager Global Continuous Improvement

Title: Associate Manager, Global Continuous Improvement

Location: Westchester, IL

Reports To: Director, Global IPS

Workplace Type: Onsite

The Associate Manager Global Continuous Improvement is responsible for executing the strategic initiatives of the Ingredion Performance System (IPS) Management System, ensuring alignment and integration across all segments and regions. This role focuses on the operational deployment, adherence, and continuous improvement of IPS tools, processes, and practices. The Associate Manager serves as a key connector between functional teams, segment leaders, and the Global IPS strategy, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and sustainability.

Core Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Global, Regional, and Site IPS teams to develop and refine IPS Management Pillar tools, training materials, handbooks, global standardized templates, and assessment criteria.
• Support the design of new, or improved, IPS initiatives by providing insights into practice implementation needs and system integration opportunities.
• Participate in the creation of dashboards, applications, key metric standardization, and goal-setting and cascading practices, along with the Global Operations Analytics Team to measure, improve, and sustain IPS Performance.
• Works closely with segments, connectivity, and data analytics teams to identify and deploy performance trends useful to improve segment performance.
• Leverage analytical and problem-solving skills to support plant management on the identification of key success drivers and execution of improvement objectives.
• Own the execution of IPS Management Pillar initiatives, ensuring alignment with the IPS strategy and organizational KPIs.
• Support the implementation and execution of IPS Management Pillar and tools across assigned segments, managing timelines, gap-closure actions, resources, and communication plans.
• Ability to lead and/or support segment waste reduction activities, including cost reduction and productivity enhancements, by leveraging analytical and problem-solving skills to support plant management in identifying key success drivers and executing improvement objectives.
• Acts as a primary point of contact for segment leaders and functional teams, facilitating the deployment of IPS practices and tools.
• Establish and maintain routines to monitor compliance with IPS Management Pillar standards, conducting regular assessments to ensure adherence to global practices.
• Provide guidance and support to segment teams to address barriers to compliance, implementing corrective actions where needed.
• Ensure that all IPS processes and tools are applied consistently across global teams, contributing to system sustainability and standardization.
• Conduct regular evaluations of IPS Management Pillar tools and processes, identifying opportunities for improvement and providing recommendations to the Global IPS team.
• Serve as a key participant in the annual review cycle of materials, handbooks, and assessment criteria, updating content to align with evolving business needs and best practices.
• Drive initiatives to close skill gaps within all necessary teams by coordinating training sessions and delivering targeted educational programs, related to specific KPIs, Management System tools and methodology, etc.
• Foster collaboration with segment owners, functional teams, and IPS Pillar leaders to support integrated IPS initiatives.
• Serves as a main liaison for other Global IPS Pillars (Safety, Quality, People, Reliability) to ensure collaboration and cohesive Management System practices.
• Share segment best practices and benchmarking opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned with the broader IPS community to promote knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the functional teams to identify gaps and recommend adequate resolution strategies (routines, improvement, and/ or projects) necessary to achieve the performance of TOP KPIs.
• Acts as a liaison between the Global IPS Director and on-the-ground teams, ensuring strategic objectives translate into actionable tasks and measurable outcomes.
  
  

The Human Resources Business Partner position is well-suited for you if you:

• Passion for Management System implementation and Continuous Improvement.
• Encourage collaboration and experimentation to create safer and more efficient working methods.
• Build long-term relationships with key decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated self-starter with strong leadership skills and a results-oriented approach.
• Proactively identify areas for improvement and implement solutions that increase value and improve business performance.
• Skills and interest in data analytics and reporting.
• Seek opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Assist others in response to their business needs to build strong working relationships.
• Demonstrate ability to identify best practices, develop strategy to deploy best practices to other areas and deploy resources to execute.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Result-driven with urgency and a growth mindset
• High discipline in routine execution.
  
  

Qualified Candidates Will Have

• Commitment to the promotion of a safe work environment.
• Knowledge of the organization’s products, production processes, and general food industry regulatory and safety guidelines.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, industrial, chemical, or manufacturing engineering; Natural Sciences or Business-related degree. MBA is a plus.
• Fluency in English; additional language skills (Spanish, Portuguese, German, Chinese) are a bonus.
• Ability to support cross-functional teams and interact with all organizational levels.
• Strong relationship-building skills with team members, plants, support functions, and functional groups.
• Self-starter with strong leadership skills and a high degree of integrity.
• Strong planning, organizing and time management skills.
• Experience in coaching, mentoring, and developing top-tier talent.
• Capable of leading a data-driven environment with an emphasis on statistics, process improvement, and data analysis.
• Strong facilitation and training experience in Management System and Continuous Improvement methods.
• Strong project management, presentation, communication, and coaching skills
• Maintain and continue to expand personal knowledge of KPI’s and RCAs
• Understanding of digital tools, Power BI, SQL, electronic paperwork, or other digital process improvement solutions.
• 2-5 years of experience in operations with demonstrated experience in leading management system implementation and continuous improvement.
• Lean knowledge (Six Sigma Green Belt preferred, but not required)
  
  

Ingredion Total Rewards And Benefits

We offer a competitive and comprehensive package that aligns with our values and goals. It includes salary, incentives, health, retirement, flexibility, learning, recognition, and wellness.

We Offer The Benefits Below

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Annual Bonus.
• A 401k match.
• Parental leave
• Among other Incredible benefits.
  
  

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Relocation Available:

Yes, Within Country

Pay Range

$98,800.00-$131,733.33 Annual

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.