Continuous Improvement Specialist

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST

LOCATION: Remote - Midwest US (Grand Rapids, MI, Chicago, IL, or La Crosse, WI areas preferred)

REPORTS TO: Operational Excellence Manager
DEPARTMENT: Operations
TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: 15%

JOB PURPOSE SUMMARY:

The Continuous Improvement Specialist supports continuous improvement initiatives at a cottage cheese manufacturing site by analyzing production, quality, and supply chain processes to improve efficiency, yield, cost, safety, and compliance. This role partners closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to optimize end-to-end dairy manufacturing processes while maintaining the highest food safety and quality standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze cottage cheese production processes including milk receiving, pasteurization, culturing, curd formation, washing, dressing, packaging, and cold storage.
• Identify inefficiencies, losses, and variation impacting yield, throughput, labor utilization, and cost.
• Lead or support Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, cycle time improvement, and defect reduction.
• Facilitate value stream mapping, root cause analysis (RCA), and problem-solving events (Kaizen).
• Collect, analyze, and interpret manufacturing data including OEE, yield, downtime, scrap, rework, labor efficiency, and line performance.
• Develop dashboards, KPIs, and standardized reporting to monitor plant performance and improvement initiatives.
• Track benefits realization from improvement projects, including cost savings, yield improvement, and capacity gains.
• Work closely with Plant Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to implement sustainable process changes.
• Support equipment optimization, changeover reduction, and preventative maintenance effectiveness.
• Assist with capital project justification and post-implementation performance tracking.
• Develop and update process maps, SOPs, work instructions, and standard work documentation.
• Support training and change management activities to ensure adoption of new or improved processes.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement on the plant floor.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree preferred, Food Science, Operations Management, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2-5 years of experience in manufacturing operations, process improvement, or operations analytics-preferably in food or dairy manufacturing.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate production data into actionable insights.
• Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement tools in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Excel and data visualization/reporting tools.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively in both office and plant-floor environments.
• Experience in dairy manufacturing, fermented products, or high-moisture food production.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Yellow or Green Belt preferred).
• Familiarity with cottage cheese processes, pasteurization systems, curd handling, fillers, and packaging equipment.
• Knowledge of CIP systems, sanitation optimization, and yield improvement techniques.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• On-site manufacturing facility with regular time spent on the production floor
• Exposure to food production environments (cold storage, wet processing areas)
• Occasional off-shift or weekend support for improvement initiatives as needed
• 50-75% travel requirement

ABOUT GOOD CULTURE:

We believe that if you eat good things, and surround yourself with good, you'll feel good. Simple as that. That's why we decided to create a food company that offers real organic ingredients from trusted sources, promotes good health and tastes great. Our mission is to reinvent the food system, from the (actual) ground up. We are a cultured dairy company that currently makes pasture-raised cottage cheese, probiotic rich sour cream, cream cheese and probiotic milk. We're on the look for some cultured healers!

Good Culture is an equal opportunity employer. At Good Culture we also believe a great culture fosters and values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. We seek individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply for this position. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Good Culture is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.