Continuous Improvement Specialist

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.

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Excellence Specialist will be responsible for driving operational improvement projects, as well as working on cross-functional teams to commercialize innovative products in the factory. Continuous improvement efforts will focus on making sustainable gains in reliability, quality, safety, cost, and delivery. Methods for achieving and sustaining improvements will be based on Nestlé Continuous Excellence, TPM, and LEAN fundamentals. The team member will need to collaborate closely with division, factory, and other internal partners to achieve the project objectives aligned with the business needs. The team member will be responsible for executing assignments of a broad nature. while exercising considerable judgment and creativity. The team member needs to be able to complete appropriate financial analysis to validate/support proposals and gain support of key stakeholders.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive Continuous Improvement and Productivity Savings Projects
• Responsible for identifying, chartering, and leading significant improvement initiatives - delivering the project results on time.
• Provide project updates to the factory leadership team and project stakeholders highlighting the status, adherence to the project time plan, work accomplished, quick wins, points of escalation, elements of risk and the associated mitigation plans.
• Develop project teams on key skills to drive improvement.
• Utilize Nestlé Continuous Excellence tools and methodologies (Goal Alignment, GSTD, DMAIC, Loss Tree Analysis, IPA, etc.) to drive sustainable operational improvements.
• Analyze given data and operating conditions; implement changes and follow-up on results by involving key responsible people (i.e., sponsor, process owner, operator).
• Determine means to reduce material usages, material losses and rework, and to achieve energy savings.
• Carry out follow-up programs to maintain the achieved savings, to complete additional training, to detect further savings opportunities, as well as ensure the overall continuity of the project.
• Determine the optimum machine speed, production cycles and line crewing that are required for master scheduling, as well as for short term planning and control.
• Conduct the respective trials, together with the supervisors and managers, before any change or newly designed system or method is installed. Assist the operations, supervisors, and mangers for adapting changes to take the necessary actions and any other steps required to ensure the achievement of the best possible result.
• Work collaboratively with product development, marketing, supply chain, finance, and operations to bring new products to market and meet the defined project objectives.
• Responsibility to own and drive digital initiatives within the factory.

REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL

• Bachelor’s degree required; (Industrial Engineering, Engineering or Business, preferred)
• Two years of experience in food manufacturing, preferred
• Six Sigma, TPM or Lean background with examples of application and results preferred (preferable skill set at the level of a Green or Black Belt)
• Experience leading and developing high achieving teams

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Interpersonal skills, self-confidence, leadership abilities
• Ability to build trust and interact with all levels of the organization
• Strong project management skills
• Change agent
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Team leadership and team membership skills
• Creative, reliable, organized, adaptable, flexible, innovative, and a self-starter
• Focus on adding value to a fast and performance driven business

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 an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined 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 accommodations@nestle.com or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

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