Business Partner, Black Belt

Business Partner, Black Belt | Primient About Primient Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational excellence that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from field to customer, our priorities are focused on ensuring we produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold both our responsibility and commitments to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet. We are a privately held company with locations across the US, Mexico, Poland, and Brazil. We’re investing in our plants and people to unlock our potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by our values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we’re focused on growing our business, our reputation, and the career of every teammate. About the Role The Business Partner, Black Belt sits within the Continuous Improvement team and drives operational excellence by embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the organization. This role is responsible for leading and mentoring teams in Lean Six Sigma methodologies, driving targeted short- and long-term continuous improvement initiatives, manages key projects, supporting local plant efforts, and conducting analyses to enable data-driven decision-making and operational solutions. By championing Primient’s values of integrity, growth, and excellence, the Business Partner, Black Belt enhances efficiency, productivity and sustainable growth across the organization. Key responsibilities: •Lead Primient Operating Model (POM) implementation: Drive the plant-level implementation of POM, ensuring alignment with operations goals. Provide strategic consultation to plant teams for effective and uniform implementation. •Champion a Safety-First Culture: Advocate for and model a “Safety First” culture within the Plant. Provide tools and lead projects that enhance safety standards and improve safety outcomes. •Develop and Report Performance Metrics: Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure project success. Provide regular reports and insights to project sponsors and leadership to track progress. •Manage Continuous Improvement (CI) Deployment: Lead the execution of Lean Six Sigma projects to drive process improvement and defect reduction •Drive Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Improvement: Implement and support plant level OEE tools and reporting. Lead improvement projects to optimize OEE. •Utilize Data Management Tools: Apply Lean Six Sigma tools to support operational improvements, streamline reporting, and manage plant data more efficiently. •Manage Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Process improvement Projects: Lead process improvement projects in collaboration with plant personnel, leadership, and engineering teams to improve efficiency, quality, and costs. •Deliver Lean Six Sigma Trainings: Lead problem solving training initiatives, including Green Belt training, RCCA, Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (FMEA), LSS awareness and tools training •Mentor and Coach Lean Six Sigma Green Belts: Provide mentorship and coaching to Green Belts and project team members, helping them to drive continuous improvement. Required and Preferred Education/Certification •Bachelor’s degree in engineering, STEM, supply chain, business administration, finance, or a related field •Certification in Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Required and Preferred Work Experience •Experience leading Lean Six Sigma project work •3+ years experience in continuous improvement roles in a continuous process manufacturing environment •Experience in leadership roles (e.g., decision making capacity) (preferred) •Facilitation or learning and development experience (preferred) •Project management experience (e.g., complex continuous improvement projects) (preferred) Knowledge •Lean, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement Methodologies (e.g. TPS, Stable Ops) •Continuous Manufacturing Processes (operations, maintenance, EHS and quality) •Microsoft Applications •Statistical Simulation and Analytical Tools (e.g. Minitab, PowerBI, ERP / SAP) Skills •Excellent verbal and written communication •Change Management •Influential leadership •Critical thinking •Project Management •Data analysis & interpretation •Strategic planning •Time management & prioritization •Risk monitoring and mitigation •Facilitation Mindsets •Safety-first •Structured Continuous improvement •Challenge the status quo •Action-oriented •Composed under pressure •Results-driven •Data-driven •Flexible & Adaptable Total Rewards The annual pay range estimated for this position is $123,515.20 - $154,394.00 and is bonus eligible. Please note that while this range reflects the full spectrum of compensation available for this role, individual compensation will be determined based on several factors including your experience, skills, and alignment with the role's responsibilities. During the interview process there will be an opportunity to discuss how your background fits into the pay range. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes: Competitive Pay Multiple Healthcare plan choices Dental and vision insurance A 401(k) plan with company and matching contributions Short- and Long-Term Disability Life, AD&D, and Voluntary Insurance plans Paid holidays & vacation Floating days off Parental leave for new parents Employee resource groups Learning & development programs Fun culture where you have an opportunity in shaping our future Career Path & Culture Primient is committed to a workplace that is all in – ensuring everyone has the opportunity to develop and shape a career that matters in an open culture which embraces equity, diversity and belonging. We challenge old ways of thinking; and encourage employee voices to be a guiding force for ongoing learning. Primient supports a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences make better decisions, drive excellence, and deliver better business results. Primient employees experience autonomy and accountability in their role. Here, employees control their destiny as there is opportunity for career growth and pathways outside the norm. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging We are believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow, Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce. California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process. Primient is a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational expertise that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from start to finish, we focus our priorities on producing the safest, highest quality ingredients through practices that uphold our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Our employees, some of whom are second and third generation legacy, understand the importance of maintaining the highest levels of safety, excellence, and integrity in all that we do. We continue to grow with a century long history of ingenuity that started with agricultural visionary Augustus “Gene” Staley. Staley’s “can do” attitude and entrepreneurial spirit continue to lead and inspire Primient in new ways that ensure we honor our traditions to confidently trail blaze ahead. We proudly walk the halls of the ‘Castle in the Cornfields’ administration building in Decatur, IL, US, tracing our rich heritage and planning for the next big ideas.