Continuous Improvement Manager - Itasca, IL

Job Description

ATTENTION MILITARY AFFILIATED JOB SEEKERS - Our organization works with partner companies to source qualified talent for their open roles. The following position is available to Veterans, Transitioning Military, National Guard and Reserve Members, Military Spouses, Wounded Warriors, and their Caregivers. If you have the required skill set, education requirements, and experience, please click the submit button and follow the next steps.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, this role is "On-Site" at the location detailed in the job post.
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.

Want to make an impact?
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.

Ways you will make a difference

• 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

Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities

Skills that will make you successful
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 effective relationships amongst all levels of the organization
Being a change management agent
Experiences that will support your success
Bachelor's degree (Prefer in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or technical/business field)
5+ years of continuous improvement experience in a manufacturing environment
2+ years of leadership experience and managing direct reports
Experience leading continuous improvement projects (Lean, TPM, Six Sigma)
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Food manufacturing background preferred
S4 experience preferred
Formal Lean Six Sigma experience preferred
Willingness and ability to travel to our manufacturing sites, largely located in the Chicago areda

What We Offer
At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees by providing comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k), and paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance.
Compensation
The salary range for this role is $102,075 to $142,905 annually.