Continuous Improvement Manager

Company: Palmer Candy Company
Location: Sioux City
Posted on: April 28, 2024

Job Description:

Palmer Candy is looking for aContinuous Improvement Manager!Who is Palmer Candy?The Palmer Candy Company is a progressive, innovative, fast-growing company making and selling a broad array of confections in a surprising number of markets. Nationally, we participate in almost all market segments and are one of the top suppliers in more than a few categories including bakery confections, private label bagging, bulk chocolates, and contract manufacturing.Who are We?The Palmer family has been making candy together since 1878! We are proud of our unique history that is highlighted by five generations of family ownership and management.
As a Team, we have continued to grow together, sharing in one another's triumphs, learning from our mistakes, and enjoying more than a few good laughs. We enjoy challenging convention and achieving success by delivering to our customers outstanding service, innovative programs, and terrific products.Why work for us?Palmer Candy has developed a culture where we treat our Team Members like family. Palmer Candy offers a full range of benefits to our Team Members. Benefits include but are not limited to:Medical InsuranceDental InsuranceVision InsuranceCompany Paid Life InsuranceCompany Paid Short Term Disability401(k) with company matchPTO and Paid Sick DaysSummary/ObjectiveThe Continuous Improvement Managerwill provide a full range of productivity services to Operations and direct cost reduction programs for the facility including leading lean events, developing and measuring facility systems, and developing and delivering continuous improvement training programs.This position will develop, deploy, and sustain continuous improvement activities that ensure a safe work environment, drive quality improvements, develop a qualified workforce, and reduce operating costs and lead times. The Continuous Improvement Manager will be responsible for implementation and assessment of the Palmer Continuous Improvement System which consists of MOS, Standard Work, Problem Solving, and People & Leadership.Essential FunctionsAssess the current state of the plant's operations; develop future state vision, develop a plant roadmap then drive and monitor the implementation plan.Own the implementation of Lean manufacturing principles throughout the manufacturing process to improve competitiveness and customer experience. Contribute to and assist with continuous improvement/Kaizen activities throughout organization.Direct and train Team Members on continuous improvement techniques, tools and methodologies to assure complete familiarity and ease of use. This includes principles of Lean manufacturing, Takt Time, Standard Work, 5S, A3, TPM, SMED, Value Stream Mapping and other improvement tools.Drive methods for efficiencies and reducing waste through deployment of lean manufacturing tools. This includes reviewing job duties, workflow, mass balances, workstations, equipment, and processes.Identify, plan, manage and execute continuous improvement initiatives that reduce manufacturing cost, cycle time, and lead time while increasing safety, quality, and repeatability.Implement and train MOS & Six Sigma processes to plant location personnel.Direct, train and coach Team Members on problem solving methodologies by using PDCA/DMAIC, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventative actions to improve process capability, reduce variation and optimize performance.Utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPI s) and business drivers to synchronize and prioritize improvement projects.Performs quantitative analysis of Key Process Indicators to identify opportunities for process improvement.Identify, share, leverage, and implement best practices across functional lines within the Supply Chain.Identify opportunities to automate processes and work with stakeholders to develop an automation pipeline. Ability to identify areas for process optimization, process redesign, and lead from identification to execution.Support the Continuous Improvement Philosophy of the facility.Interact with all Team Members to drive a continuous improvement culturethroughout.Lead as a change agent to ensure lean processes are deployed with a sense of urgency.All other reasonable duties, as assigned.Competences and Skills.Strong communication skills to engage, coach, mentor and inspire Team Members.Excellent organizational and presentation (written/verbal communication) skills.Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with demonstrated ability to lead and motivate diverse teams in driving change and achieving results. Strong team player, work ethic, and commitment to win.Ability to track and interpret data.Creativeness and desire to not to be bound by past solutions and to think outside the box to drive productivity throughout the organization.Hands-on, driven, analytical, results-oriented, customer-centric.Time Management-Attention to detail and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks with continually changing priorities.Organizational skills with the capability of working towards tight deadlines.Critical Thinking- Abilityto work on multiple tasks and projects over a wide range of priorities.Ability to identify areas for process optimization, process redesign, and waste reduction and lead from identification to execution.Required Education and Experience.Bachelor's degree in engineering, lean manufacturing or related field is required.MBA preferred or related experience.3-5 years developing and leading Lean manufacturing initiatives in an industrial manufacturing environment required.Experience with manufacturing in an FDA environment orin a consumer-packaged goods company is preferred.3-5 years of continuous improvement experience.Minimum of 3 years supporting kaizens and training teams on lean principles and tools required.Project/Program Management experience.Black Belt Certification preferred; Green Belt Certification required.Must have proven lean/six sigma success track record with a progressive manufacturing organization.Experience leading TPM implementation across multiple plants.Facility layout optimization experience desired. Experience with automation applications and implementation is a plus.Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.Strong Microsoft Office Suite and Redzone experience.Other DutiesPlease note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Keywords: Palmer Candy Company, Sioux City , Continuous Improvement Manager, Executive , Sioux City, Iowa