Continuous Improvement Specialist

Continuous Improvement SpecialistLeading food manufacturing company looking for an experienced Continuous Improvement Specialist. Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technical field with minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience OR HS Diploma with minimum 10 years of manufacturing experience.ResponsibilitiesFocus on changeover improvements for the Chewy Bars platform by collaborating with platform teams, floor teams, site FSQ, and department management.Apply tools such as process mapping, value stream mapping, 5 whys, fishbones, and a learning mindset to identify opportunities to reduce changeover time while maintaining safety and effectiveness.Learn about current equipment and cleaning processes, identify improvement opportunities, and develop experiments to enhance changeover efficiency.Execute experiments during changeovers, agree on success criteria, and implement process changes as feasible.Identify longest lead items, develop standardized processes, and improve resource allocation during changeovers.Create and revise standard task flows around changeover execution to enhance speed without compromising safety or effectiveness.Work with FSQ to develop risk rankings and understand why cleaning is performed on each item, minimizing overcleaning.Collaborate with floor and platform teams to establish minimal cleaning requirements.Investigate external best practices from other sites and industries, incorporating innovative and safer cleaning methods.Identify pain points, develop easier cleaning methods, and present capital improvement opportunities to engineering.Implement continuous improvement initiatives, conduct responsible experiments, and embrace a learning mindset.RequirementsBachelor's degree in Engineering/Technical field with minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience OR HS Diploma with minimum 10 years of manufacturing experience.Working knowledge of data systems including manufacturing, asset management, quality tracking, ERP, and safety/environment systems (e.g., MAXIMO, MQIS, INSQL, GSTEMS).Demonstrated ability to apply foundational systems and drive system utilization.Effective verbal and written communication skills.Proven ability to coach teams and utilize standards and processes for continuous improvement.