Director of Continuous Improvement

Director of Continuous Improvement – Commercial Baking Operations

Total Compensation: To $150K Base + Up to 15% Bonus

Robust relocation package | “Cadillac” benefits | Strong 401(k) match | Pension | Vehicle/Travel Allowance

We are seeking a Director of Continuous Improvement to drive Lean-based operational excellence across a multi‑site network. This is a high‑impact leadership role responsible for embedding a culture of continuous improvement across safety, quality, productivity, and reliability. The ideal candidate is hands‑on, collaborative, and energized by measurable results in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

The Opportunity

Reporting to executive leadership, this individual will design and deploy CI strategy across multiple food producing facilities, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer expectations. You will work side‑by‑side with plant leadership teams to reduce waste, increase throughput, improve engagement, and elevate operational performance.

Domestic travel (mid‑west US) up to 70% is required to support facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute enterprise‑wide CI strategies aligned with operational goals
• Lead implementation of Lean tools including Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, 5S, SMED, Root Cause Analysis, and standardized work
• Establish KPIs, benchmarks, and performance dashboards to sustain improvements
• Facilitate structured improvement events with measurable outcomes

Operational & Data-Driven Excellence

• Conduct process capability studies and equipment utilization analyses
• Leverage analytics tools (Excel, Redzone, SAP) to enable real‑time decision making
• Lead loss tree analysis, downtime reduction, and waste elimination initiatives
• Ensure CI efforts align with safety standards, GMPs, and food quality requirements

Digital & Workforce Engagement

• Serve as company‑wide leader for Redzone connected workforce platform deployment
• Coach sites on Redzone utilization to drive engagement, visibility, and accountability
• Maintain and refine dashboards that highlight wins and flag opportunities

Leadership & Culture

• Mentor and coach CI leads, engineers, and plant leadership in Lean principles
• Influence cross‑functional teams across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, HR, and Safety
• Promote a shop‑floor‑focused culture centered on empowerment and ownership
• Model servant leadership and reinforce a strong safety culture

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership focused on CI or operational excellence
• Proven success leading Lean initiatives in multi‑site, high‑speed food manufacturing
• Experience in commercial baking or FMCG environments strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and deliver measurable business results
• Lean certification and/or Six Sigma preferred
• Strong financial and operational acumen with data‑driven decision‑making expertise
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SAP, and statistical analysis tools
• Exceptional executive‑level communication and presentation skills
• Ability to influence without direct authority

This role is ideal for a results‑driven Lean leader who thrives in dynamic environments and enjoys building capability while delivering sustainable operational impact.

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