CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence and optimizing processes within Prayon Inc. This role involves developing and implementing continuous improvement programs and strategies, leading a cross‑functional implementation team, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The position focuses on enhancing productivity, quality, safety, and cost‑efficiency in our operational activities. Essential Responsibilities & Functions Strategic Planning Develop, structure and implement a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy aligned with organizational goals. Identify and prioritize long‑term and short‑term improvement opportunities. Develop and standardize the use of strategic visualization tools and planning such as Hoshin‑Kanri to communicate the plan and drive progress at every organizational level. Leadership and Team Management Main promoter of Standard Work and implementer of systems associated with Continuous Improvement, Work Teams, portfolio of Kaizen projects, Yellow Belt, Green Belt and generation of projects New Way of Working. Lead and mentor staff on continuous improvement initiatives. Provide direction, support, and professional development opportunities. Implement a continuous improvement suggestion system to include associates in the process and provide public feedback. Project Management Establish potential initiatives that help reduce the gaps between indicators and goals to obtain tangible results of high value for the business. Build and manage the project portfolio, including continuous improvement projects and local CAPEX portfolio. Oversee multiple process improvement projects, ensuring timely and budget‑compliant completion. Systems Process Analysis and Improvement Conduct high‑level assessments of manufacturing and operational processes. Carry out internal campaigns or initiatives that reinforce the implementation of Continuous Improvement tools and methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen. Ensure correct implementation of those tools and methodologies. Performance Monitoring and Reporting Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure effectiveness of improvements. Validate KPIs with relevant departments (finances, controlling, operations, etc.). Regularly report progress, results, and recommendations to senior leadership. Maintain visualization and feedback boards as part of the continuous improvement program. Change Management Drive cultural change towards continuous improvement. Facilitate workshops, training sessions, continuous improvement events, and other activities to engage employees. Stakeholder Engagement Collaborate with senior leaders and other stakeholders to gain buy‑in for initiatives. Communicate effectively to promote continuous improvement efforts. Food Safety & Quality Standards/Requirements The employee will comply with all relevant food safety and quality standards and requirements. Supervisory Responsibilities & Functions This role does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but requires strong collaboration and the ability to influence without formal authority. The individual will partner with cross‑functional teams to provide guidance, share expertise, mentor, and align efforts toward common goals. Success in this role depends on strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders. Qualifications Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field. Experience: Proven experience in a continuous improvement role. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Certification in continuous improvement methodologies (e.g. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean master, comparable). Skill Requirements: Strong leadership and team management skills; Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities; Proficiency in process analysis tools and techniques; Strong verbal and written communication skills. Preferred Education: Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field. Experience: Extensive experience with a track record of successful project implementation. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Certifications in continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Black Belt). Language Skills Reading, comprehension, speaking, and writing at the required education equivalency level. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business correspondence, technical/product information, policies/procedures or government regulations. Ability to complete written forms and write routine to complex procedures, reports, and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions in a group or individual setting. Ability to speak conversational French is a plus. Mathematical Skills Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent. Computer Skills Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and other Office 365 applications. Familiarity with AutoCAD or SAP software is considered a plus. Complexity The work includes varied duties requiring many different and unrelated processes and methods to be applied to a broad range of activities and/or substantial depth of analysis within a particular area. Decisions include areas of uncertainty in approach, methodology, interpretation, or evaluation resulting from such elements as continuing changes, technical developments, unknown phenomena or conflicting requirements. The work requires originating new techniques, establishing criteria, or developing new information, and requires a strong results orientation and outstanding ability to establish priorities, communicate needs, negotiate collaboration among stakeholders, and execute project plans to timeline. Physical Demands Both sedentary and limited physical exertion to include sitting; walking; standing; bending; traversing stairs, carrying light items such as papers, books or small parts; driving an automobile, forklift, etc. Work routinely requires speaking and hearing. Work environment requires normal safety precautions typical of offices, meeting and training rooms, personal or commercial transportation methods. Requires use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals. May require protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, coats, safety shoes, boots, goggles, gloves, safety glasses or shields. Must be able to work more than eight hours per day or forty hours per week on any shift or travel as needed. Must be available for call‑in as needed to support 24‑hour/7 day per week operational requirements. Located in Augusta, Georgia, the site is Prayon’s only US production location. It is primarily oriented towards the food sector, but also maintains a strong presence in the health and dental care, as well as technical markets. #J-18808-Ljbffr