Continuous Improvement Manager

At Ferrara, Ferrero, Fox’s Burton’s, and The Fine Biscuits Company, we’re loved by people of all generations for the joy we bring—and that joy is crafted by our people. Join us and explore a whole world to discover, where your passion will find its place.

Today, Ferrara is the #1 sugar confectioner in the U.S, with global sales in more than 40 countries. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of over 9,000 employees around the world who deliver and create hundreds of iconic and beloved products.

In the U.S., more than 67 million households annually enjoy our popular brands like NERDS®, Brach’s®, Jelly Belly®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli®. In Brazil, Dori has become a household name with snacking products that include brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100. And, in France, Carambar & Co have earned generations of loyal customers through the timeless appeal of iconic candy and chocolate brands such as Carambar, Lutti, Krema, Poulain, Vichy and Terry’s.

A privately held company, Ferrara Group is headquartered in Chicago. Ferrara boasts a network of over 30 locations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities.

Due to the highly interactive nature of this manufacturing position, in-person attendance and flexibility are essential for supporting production schedules, effective communication and collaboration, real-time problem solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives. Schedules may vary and are subject to change.

The Continuous Improvement Manager drives site initiatives to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) as well as deliver cost savings by building capability in manufacturing methodologies, systems, and tools. Methodologies will include but are not limited to:
Environmental, Health, and Safety, Quality (Food Safety & Operational), Focused Improvement, Autonomous Maintenance, Planned Maintenance, Operational Reviews, Education & Training.

• Deploys strategic methodologies, systems, and tools including Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Autonomous Maintenance, Planned Maintenance, Focused Improvement (SMED, Problem Solving, Green Belt/Black Belt Project) to deliver site OEE and cost savings goals
• Drives and supports loss ideations and eradications, along with tracking projects for visibility
• Provides tracking and regular communication to various plant functions and manufacturing leadership team regarding site performance
• Integrates system health and project monitoring into current structure (Operational Reviews: huddles, daily, weekly, monthly) to ensure sustainability of improvements
• Identifies and troubleshoot chronic and sporadic losses by engaging and collaborating with front line employes, supervisors, and management team. Drives losses to zero using problem solving methodologies.
• Utilizes systems and tools to deliver reductions in unplanned stoppages, optimizing planned stoppages, and eliminating speed loss, waste & rework
• Drives restoration to base condition of bottleneck equipment through AM and PM execution (CILs, Centerlines, Defect Identification, 5S, Visual Management)
• Builds capability in the front-line and salaried teams to effectively plan, schedule, and execute work; install and sustain the improvements
• Identifies and implements technology (artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital connected worker) improvements
• Builds capability by developing and executing training for front line employees and leadership on methodologies, systems, and tools
• Supports site implementation of AM and PM by coaching front line employees and leadership team to build their capability to lead work teams
• Promotes a change of culture within the group/site – especially at the front-line level
• Other duties as assigned

• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Analytically minded
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization
• Ability to plan and manage priorities
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams across all levels of the organization
• Ability to influence without authority
• Building…