Continuous Improvement Lead

Job Summary:

The Continuous Improvement Lead plays a pivotal role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the Request Foods manufacturing environment. By leveraging core methodologies and supporting Request Foods operating systems, this position drives operational excellence while eliminating inefficiencies and waste. This individual will be responsible for spearheading initiatives aimed at enhancing safety, quality, yields, cycle time, labor efficiencies, cost/margin improvements, and customer service within Request Foods operations environment.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Drives Request Foods Manufacturing Operations, and Support Teams, towards embracing a culture of continuous improvement by leading, coaching and training employees and leaders, fostering behaviors aligned with operational excellence principles and practices.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to manage change effectively, ensuring buy-in and engagement throughout the improvement process.
• Maintains and documents continuous improvement processes, procedures, and best practices to standardize operations and facilitate knowledge sharing across the organization.
• Utilizes data-driven insights to identify trends, root causes, and areas for improvement.
• Analyzes key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and identify opportunities for enhancement. Develop and implement strategies to optimize processes and increase efficiency. Identify and analyze current processes to identify areas for improvement.

Further develop and implement CI Methodologies in the following areas Kaizen, Standard Work, 5S Program, Process Mapping, Cause Mapping, Project Management, and Problem Solving.

• Facilitates the 5S process improvements across operations to enhance workplace organization, cleanliness, and efficiency.
• Provides necessary training on core continuous improvement tools and methodologies to equip soup team members with the skills required to drive improvement initiatives effectively.
• Collaborates, leads, and executes improvement projects, initiatives, and activities aimed at achieving Request Foods business needs, KPI’s and objectives.
• Supports key activities integral to the Request Foods manufacturing departments continuous improvement transformation, including pre-shift meetings, start-up scorecards, productivity data capture, stand work development, utilization of visual management tools, and weekly operational excellence reviews.
• Utilizes value stream mapping techniques to design optimal information, material, and production flow methods, driving efficiency and effectiveness, end to end, across soup manufacturing.
• Participates in Gemba walks and acts as the main point of contact for employees in areas related to continuous improvement, waste reduction, problem-solving, value stream, root cause analysis, flow optimization, and follow-up on action plans.
• Creates and implements standard work processes, coaching plant leaders on practices to ensure consistency and efficiency in operations.
• Oversees the use of control boards, balanced score cards, and other visual management tools to enhance transparency, communication, and accountability within the organization.
• Independently leads projects aimed at problem-solving in operations to address issues impacting yields, throughput, and efficiencies, while supporting the Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations on more complex activities.
• Develops project management tools, processes, and reports to ensure timely execution of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assists and mentors Request Foods team members with special requests, providing subject matter expert (SME) guidance.
• Stays current of industry best practices, trends, and benchmarks performance against competitors to identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty effectively. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Food Science, or related field is required.
• 5 years of industry experience leading and serving in continuous improvement, process optimization, process engineering, data analytics and project management.
• Prior work experience in industries directly related to Manufacturing, or Food Manufacturing is preferred.
• Thorough understanding and demonstrated application of Lean Six Sigma methodologies and tools (e.g., DMAIC, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis).
• Candidates possessing a Lean Six Sigma or comparable certification are required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Superior written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to cultivate working relationships and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders while delivering the highest level of customer service.
• Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills with the ability to gather and interpret data to drive decision-making.
• Demonstrated attention to details and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and implementing continuous improvement projects and initiatives.
• Results-oriented with a strong focus on driving measurable operational improvements.
• Proficient with Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, etc.), Power BI, and SAP or other ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems.