Continuous Improvement & Health & Safety Coordinator

Description

Reporting to the Director of Manufacturing, the Continuous Improvement & Health and Safety Coordinator plays a critical role in driving efficiency, safety, and process improvement initiatives across the plant. This position provides support to operations and related departments (maintenance, engineering, warehouse, inventory, QC, QA, finance, etc.), focusing on optimizing resources and ensuring a safe work environment.

The coordinator is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring continuous improvement strategies while also leading health and safety programs. This role serves as a change agent, mobilizing employees and leadership to foster a culture of safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
 

Key Responsibilities

Continuous Improvement Responsibilities:
•    Train, coach, and coordinate internal teams on continuous improvement projects.
•    Identify opportunities for process optimization, cost reduction, and waste elimination.
•    Conduct profitability studies for improvement projects (return on investment).
•    Lead data collection and analysis (e.g., time and motion studies, SMED, graphical analysis).
•    Develop and implement control plans, performance indicators, and operating methods.
•    Work closely with production teams to identify and implement solutions for efficiency gains.
•    Coordinate and facilitate meetings related to improvement projects.
•    Document standard work methods and conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with best practices.
•    Promote and support the adoption of Lean Manufacturing principles such as 5S, SMED, DMS.
•    Act as a consultant to internal teams, guiding them through improvement initiatives.

Health & Safety Responsibilities:
•    Conduct regular safety inspections and risk assessments to identify potential hazards.
•    Lead accident/incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
•    Follow up with injured employees and ensure appropriate return-to-work procedures.
•    Develop, implement, and maintain health and safety programs (e.g., lockout/tagout, hot work, con-fined spaces).
•    Ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety regulations through audits and program deployment.
•    Coordinate and lead health and safety committees.
•    Maintain and promote a plant-wide safety recognition program.
•    Plan and facilitate workplace inspections, ensuring proactive risk mitigation.
•    Serve as a resource for employees and leadership on all health and safety matters.
 

Qualifications & Skills Required

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Industrial Engineering, Occupational Health & Safety, Operations Management) or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in a similar role within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of occupational health and safety regulations and best practices.
• Experience in project management and process optimization.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio).
• Knowledge of data analysis tools and techniques for process improvement.
• Ability to conduct time and labor studies to improve workflows.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance frameworks such as OSHA, HACCP, SQF, and ISO (preferred).

Soft Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Coaching and facilitation skills to lead teams in improvement and safety initiatives.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, continuously evolving environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, safe, and productive workplace.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher).
• Knowledge of AutoCAD and Visual Basic programming language.
• Experience in the food manufacturing industry.

Work Environment & Additional Considerations:

• Flexibility to work across shifts and be available outside standard working hours when needed.
• Must be comfortable working on-site in a manufacturing setting with exposure to varying temperatures, noise, and operational equipment.

BENEFITS PACKAGE:

• Medical, Dental, Vision 
• Critical Illness, Accident, Supplemental Life Insurance
• Company Paid Life Insurance, STD, LTD
• 401k with Company Match
• 8 paid holidays
• PTO