Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Downers Grove, IL we are a world-class contract manufacturer producing wholesome baked goods, snacks and packaged foods for many of the world’s leading food companies. As one of the largest and fastest growing food co-manufacturing companies in the US, we are the proud owner and operator of over 35 facilities globally. Our nearly 10,000 employee-strong organization is leading the way and setting new standards for quality, safety, flexibility and efficiency while feeding families around the globe.
Hearthside’s exceptional growth stems from its ability to address real-world problems for customers of all shapes and sizes, and by our resolute commitment to our belief that there are no great companies without great culture. Our culture of personal empowerment enables growth, learning, and continuous improvement every day!
We are steadfast in our ambition to be the indispensable and most trusted partner to our customers and need your help to do it! Join Hearthside and enjoy a competitive package, outstanding benefits and a diverse work environment.
The CI Manager will be working in our Front Royal, VA wafer & cracker plant (located 80 minutes from downtown Washington D.C) which produces more than 150M lbs. per year! This is our one of our largest plants in North America which employs 350+ non-union team members. This state of the art facility is nearly 400k sq. ft., operates with 6 highly automated production lines and possess a strong team oriented culture.
Job Summary:
The CI Manager is responsible for driving sustainable Process Improvements in the facility by delivering breakthrough results in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale. The CI Manager works closely with plant leadership, Regional CI, and department employees to achieve results. This position requires strong technical, Lean Manufacturing, and hands-on leadership skills to drive cultural change in the plant.
Job Duties: Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
• Leads, facilitates, and coaches full week Kaizen events to drive sustainable improvements
• Coach Point Kaizen facilitators through prework, the event, and sustainment
• Works closely with Plant CI team and CI Champions to:
• ◦ Develop and execute improvement action plans
• ◦ Executes and improves Center lining, SMED, and other various heatmaps to drive improvement within the facility
• ◦ Build an employee engaged work environment
• ◦ Provide and teach CI tools to CI and Non-CI employees
• Ability to perform theory of constraints analysis, identify the constraint, and implement practical and effective solutions to improving throughput
• Establishes and drives productivity pipeline roadmaps across departments and facility
• Tracks and analyzes the CI initiatives including driving the cost savings program for the site to meet annual cost savings target.
• Working knowledge of P&L/financial acumen to course correct CI plans based on weekly financial and P&L results as needed, identify cost savings, and to track effectiveness of lean activities
• Understands and drives the use of SAP tools to understand the needs of the plant
• Responsible for implementing and coaching HPS tools to improve all areas of plants
• Build cultural Lean change throughout the plant
• Leverage resources and share best practices across multiple plants when possible
• Facilitate and coach RCA tools and methodology to drive waste out of the process
• Work with customers, suppliers and all levels of management staff
• Responsible for managing multiple projects concurrently
• Ensure the facility implements and maintains Continuous Improvement initiatives
Required Competencies & Knowledge:
• Knowledge and experience with SAP
• The CI Manager should possess extensive technical skills and hands-on experience in continuous improvement manufacturing activities
• Bias for action, change agent, challenging the status quo to drive to operations excellence
• Strong will to drive change and influence without authority
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work with autonomy.
• Must be accurate, detail-oriented and maintain the utmost confidentiality.
Ability To:
• Effectively present information to employees, top management, public groups and/or board of directors.
• Ability to define problems, collect and calculate data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Write routine reports and correspondence.
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram and/or schedule form.
• Ability to work well with others in stressful situations and meet deadlines as necessary.
• Work in a fast-paced environment, while at the same time making sound decisions.
• Must have a strong will to drive change and sustain.
• Proficiency In: MS Office Suite, Excel, and PP Work Environment:
• Maintain harmonious working relations with employees from all departments and with management from all levels.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Engineering, Business or Operations.
• 2 or more years’ experience in the Continuous Improvement leadership.
• 1 or more years’ of experience working in a manufacturing environment, with food or beverage manufacturing a plus.
• Training background or experience.
• Six Sigma background, either a Green Belt or higher is preferred.
• Experience with center lining and SMED is required.
• Problem-solving using 5 Why, Fishbone, Kaizen or A3’s is needed.
• Ideal to have knowledge of P&L or financial acumen.
• Experience leading projects is a requirement.
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Hearthside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.