Continuous Improvement Manager

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world. Strategically located along Highway 99, our Fresno facility produces bulk butter, processed fluids, and milk powder. We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

Our commitment to CDI employees :

We believe in valuing our team with a total rewards package that goes beyond the basics. You'll find we offer competitive pay and incentive programs designed to recognize and reward your contributions. Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits , generous paid time off, sick days & holidays , retirement plans designed to secure your future. We don't stop there. We've also cultivated a variety of valuable programs focused on your personal well-being and professional growth , ensuring you have the support you need to both inside and outside of work.

Job Summary

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager is responsible for driving the improvement of processes and systems in California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) manufacturing facilities by implementing programs with continuing long-term benefits. This includes but is not limited to working with other CI Team Members, leading multi-disciplinary team projects to implement standardized systems and processes which assist teams in achieving enterprise goals.

Position is approximately 75% during normal business hours, while reachable by cell phone 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. Approximately 25% of time spent on site will be after hours and on weekends. This is flexible depending on the needs of the organization and active project(s). Travel to other sites and / or offsite training may be required.

This role responsible for delivering process innovation and continuous improvement initiatives across multiple departments. It will play an essential role in helping to foster a culture of sustainable change through the creation and embedding of LEAN-Six Sigma-Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodology and the supporting framework to deliver lasting results.

Essential Functions

• Implement sustainable improvements across the value chain by applying Lean-Six Sigma-TPM methodologies.
• Partner with plant leadership to develop execution plans for corporate initiatives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to deliver improvements and achieve business objectives.
• Lead and manage the plant productivity agenda across five productivity streams : Design, Source, Plan, Make, and Deliver.
• Execute loss analysis processes as needed to support the timely identification of trends, losses, and process variation to establish plant improvement projects.
• Define and implement processes to support a continuous improvement culture : annual improvement planning, results review, understanding issues, taking actions, launching problem-solving or projects, and implementing sustainable solutions to drive improvement.
• Elicit requirements and drive process change using staff interviews, document analysis, requirements workshops, surveys, site visits, business process descriptions, business analysis and workflow analysis.
• Provide accurate and timely progress against key objectives, savings projects, potential risks, and risk mitigation efforts to the Director of Program Management & Continuous Improvement.
• Function as a core team member and subject matter expert in working sessions designed to improve business operations cross-functionally.
• Coordinate with the Talent Team and Technical Services to develop and publish SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures), OPL's (One-point lesson), and SWI (Standard Work Instructions) for various manufacturing processes across the organization.
• Assist in building a Daily Management System platform for plants for 3 organizational levels : Operator, Supervisor, and Plant Leadership.
• Audit improved processes and CI initiatives for sustainability and compliance.
• Provide on-going training and expertise regarding Continuous Improvement tools.
• Provide analytical support to continuously identify gaps, project opportunities, and solutions.
• Share successful best practices with other plants and teams.
• Implement problem-solving and improvement methods of Lean-Six Sigma-TPM through formal training and hands-on coaching.
• Drive use of focused Kaizen improvement efforts aimed at breakthrough and incremental improvements in plant processes, department, and / or line-specific opportunities that meet and exceed performance metrics.
• Effectively deploy change management tools and techniques to ensure the adoption and buy-in of all stakeholders to improve processes and systems across CDI through documentation, training, and support to ensure sustainability.
• Make decisions independently on project topics that are in the best interest of the project, teams involved, and the business.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 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 the essential functions.

Education and / or Experience

Language Skills

English is required as the written and spoken language.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Accredited Green Belt Certification

Driving Requirements

Must possess or be able to acquire a state issued Driver's License.

Equipment

Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to : hearing protection, bump caps, hair and beard nets, gloves, and safety glasses must be used in the performance of duties. Proper lifting techniques must be employed at all times.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

ADA / FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements outlined here represent those necessary for successful performance of this position's core responsibilities. Upon request, the company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these fundamental job duties, provided such accommodations do not create an undue burden on the organization.

Fraudulent Recruiting Scam Disclaimer

To all applicants : We take your safety and privacy seriously at California Dairies Inc. All job applicants are directed to apply only through the official career pages. Please be aware that our talent team will never ask for any form of payment, financial account details, or sensitive personal information such as social security numbers. If you receive any suspicious messages claiming to be from California Dairies Inc., please contact us at talent@californiadaires.com. U.S. residents can get more information from the FTC at https : / / consumer.ftc.gov / articles / job-scams.