Continuous Improvement Manager

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Reporting to the Director of Continuous Improvement (CI), the CI Manager is primarily responsible for development, implementation, and sustaining the overall CI vision to align with the company's strategic objectives. This key position oversees coaching, mentoring, and training employees on lean methodologies and tools. The CI Manager is expected to be well versed in data analysis, root-cause analysis, leading Kaizen events, and driving down waste in the facility. The goal of the CI Manager is to achieve sustainable and Continuous Improvements efforts in the areas of safety, quality, delivery, cost, and growth. This position will also be responsible for direct management of the CI team.
Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the CI process (e.g. behaviors, attitude and culture), working with staff and operations to develop, implement and sustain a CI program based upon lean principles that support meeting plant goals and targets.
• Lead, identify and define the scope of CI planning and activities. A strong focus will be on the following: Training; 5S; Employee Suggestion Program (OFI's); Root Cause; MOS (Management operating system)
• Primary owner in leading and/or coordinating CI activities by partnering with the various plant leaders on directives to drive the business forward.
• Identify CI opportunities and work with technical resources to help drive efficiencies and best practices.
• Teach and model root cause analysis (6W's 2H's, Fishbone, & 5-Whys) and problem solving to prevent recurrence. Viewed as an expert in these areas.
• Grow the next generation of lean change agents (Lean Coordinators) to foster continued growth. Plans training/seminars to keep team members energized and focused while staying within budget parameters.
• Responsible for the CI team's performance management, Individual Development Plans (IDP's) and development processes that provide a context and framework to encourage employee contribution challenge their potential and maximize their results.
• Support the Lean Coordinator in charge of 5S, to ensure we are continually improving to be SQF audit ready.
• Communicate a compelling vision and inspired sense of purpose while supporting employee engagement and morale within the CI team and across the organization.
• Lead focused efforts aimed at breakthrough and incremental improvements in process, department and/or line-specific opportunities that meet and exceed plant operational performance metrics.
• Analyze data and metrics to identify areas of waste, prioritize the development and implementation of solutions.
• Teach and model tools and concepts of Lean Thinking and Six Sigma and, facilitates kaizen events
• Provide appropriate documentation and project update communication to Operations leadership. Collaborates with all departments and individuals affected by CI projects.
• Share best practices and build relationships with all Gehl plants.
• Cultivate a spirit of cooperation and overall culture of teamwork by accomplishing and communicating organizational goals and related results to CI staff.
• Support CI team efforts in staff recruitment, selection, orientation, and training processes to ensure the highest level of talent pools are cultivated and utilized.
• Work collaboratively with the HR team to support onboarding and career mapping/training efforts to continuously improve the new hire experience and internal career development opportunities in the organization.
• Responsible for successful development, delivery, and ongoing administration of standard work processes (and supporting documentation) for the manufacturing business units/lines.
• Responsible to upkeep the tracking system and train others to utilize it when their training session is complete.
• Work with key leaders to identify gaps in manufacturing training capabilities. Develops strategies and processes to support improved competences for staff identified as current or future production floor trainers.
• Function as a mentor to key personnel identified as trainers in the business to support their competency develop and overall success.
• Identify/incorporate best practices into education program plans and course delivery/facilitation.
• Monitor, assess, and review educational programs from the survey results of the class.
• Ensure training documents are complete, current, and stored/maintained appropriately.
• Function as a change agent to help guide and cultivate a CI culture throughout the organization.
• Role models the company core values at all times.
• As necessary, help support standard work efforts into electronic system (Alchemy/ RedZone) to ensure information is documented and sustained as relevant and necessary information for future use.
• Ensure that required competencies to carry out these job functions affecting product legality, safety and quality are met in accordance with the Quality Policy and the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standard.
• Ensure compliance with plant safety standards and with applicable regulatory requirements while following the company's Good Manufacturing Processes.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• 3-5 years of manufacturing related experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of Lean Manufacturing/Continuous Improvement methodologies and ability to role model, action, and train others with conviction and competency.
• Superior analytical and business judgment including demonstrated problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, mentor and coach to get results through others.
• Advanced problem solving, prioritization and time management skills.
• Demonstrated experience driving results aligned with growth strategy, while supporting cost savings initiatives.
• Ability to convey high level of optimism while setting aggressive targets to teams & delivering targeted results.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and manage staff by use of change management techniques
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including coaching, conviction, positive outlook, resilience, & strong team focus
• Demonstrated sense of urgency and sound judgment in a fast paced and entrepreneurial environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of human relations skills, principles and team building processes
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with and include others in the organization
• Demonstrated strong proficiency using a PC and Microsoft Office Tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point, etc.), finding ways to achieve them.
• Demonstrated experience and success setting and achieving (or exceeding) company strategic objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills with the ability to speak to a diverse audience spanning from staff to executive levels; Speaks candidly and provides constructive feedback in a professional manner.
• Must be willing to travel between Germantown locations and to other out of state company locations approximately 5% of their time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 5+ years of experience in a CI environment-TPM & related process improvement systems (e.g: MOS, DMS, DDS, etc).
• 5+ years manufacturing related experience
• Previous supervisory or management experience
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
• Leading Cross-Functional Kaizen Teams

Physical Activity:

• Frequently walk, move about, stand, sit, squat, bend, and kneel.
• Occasionally lift/carry/push/pull 50lbs, reach over head, and climb.

Additional Compensation - Annual Cash Bonus: You will be eligible to participate in the Gehl Foods Employee Bonus Program. For this fiscal year, your annual maximum bonus potential is up to 12% of your annualized base salary. All bonus payments are prorated based on your hire date. Under this Program, bonus payouts are dependent upon the financial performance of the company.
Working Conditions: Frequently exposed to wet and varying temperature conditions between 60-130 degrees Fahrenheit, loud noise, vibration, moving machinery/electrical parts, risk of electrical shock, airborne particles, high/precarious places, toxic/caustic chemicals, allergens including soy, milk and milk by-products and fumes from food processing equipment.
While this description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the most significant duties of the current position, it is not necessarily exhaustive of all responsibilities, duties, effort, requirements or expectations of this position. Other duties may be assigned as necessary. The company reserves the right to modify the job requirements as circumstances change and the needs of the company so dictate, without editing this job description in its entirety.
Acknowledgments: I am fully capable of completing the essential functions of the job duties listed herein)I certify that I understand that this job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and that I am expected, hereby agree, to perform other job-related tasks properly assigned to me by my supervisor.I understand and agree that the Company has the legal right to revise or change this document in part, or in total as business needs dictate.I understand and fully agree, that this job description does not constitute a written or implied contract for employment, and that my employment relationship with the Company is "at will," for an unspecified duration, and may be terminated at any time by me or the Company as specified by Section 2922 of the California Labor Code.
Salary Description
$97,350-$125,000