Continuous Improvement Analytics Specialist

Seaboard Corporation•Sioux City, IA

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement Analytics Specialist improves client value and plant performance by calculating and reporting plant KPIs, identifying and eliminating waste, and improving productivity, yields, and quality. The role works with managers, supervisors, operators, trainers, and cross-functional teams to develop and implement programs and process improvements that close identified gaps and support production goals. The specialist leads and manages projects using Lean, continuous improvement, and Six Sigma methods to reduce costs and improve production flow, tooling costs, cycle times, and labor utilization. Work includes data collection and analysis, time-motion studies, capacity analysis, value-stream mapping, feasibility and value analysis, and root-cause investigation. The role also contributes to production layouts, equipment designs, visual aids, and process documentation; evaluates and cost-justifies tools, equipment, and machinery; and helps ensure product designs and processes meet required standards. The specialist reviews production areas for safety hazards and supports adherence to safety practices when new processes are introduced. The role trains and mentors supervisors, trainers, operators, and new staff, and helps implement quality checks and workflow improvements. The work spans production processes including barn, kill, cut, packaging, and warehouse operations. The employee works in a production environment with potentially varying temperatures and noise levels, including climate extremes and loud conditions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a similar field.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write reports and business correspondence and present information to management and employees.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business and professional publications, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Ability to read and interpret English-language safety files, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to apply mathematical concepts to practical situations and understand advanced statistics and statistical analysis for data analysis and process control.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and interpret technical instructions in mathematical, diagrammatic, written, or verbal form.
Ability to manage multiple projects accurately and confidently, with a strong understanding of project implementation, structure, life cycle, best practices, and tools.
Strong personal computer skills, including Microsoft products, and experience using advanced Excel functions.
Strong change-management, analytical, negotiation, and conflict-management skills; ability to influence and persuade others.
Well-organized, process-oriented, team-driven, adaptable, and able to identify problems and resolve them quickly.
Ability to work in a production environment with variable temperatures and noise, including climate extremes and loud conditions; ability to stand and walk for extended periods and use a computer while seated for extended periods.
Ability to move about the facility; sit; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or hold objects; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; speak; hear; taste; and smell.
Ability to regularly lift or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift or move up to 40 pounds, and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.
Close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

At least 5 years of meat industry work experience.
Demonstrated working knowledge of Lean, continuous improvement, and Six Sigma, with good project management skills.
Formal training in Lean, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma.
Bilingual skills.
Market research skills.

Responsibilities

Collect data and create and report plant KPIs.
Identify opportunities to improve plant productivity and yields and eliminate waste.
Review production areas for potential safety hazards and ensure safety practices are followed when implementing new processes.
Train supervisors, trainers, and operators, and incorporate quality checks and workflow changes to increase productivity.
Prepare and maintain detailed layouts; design, develop, test, and cost-justify tools, equipment, and machinery for production processes.
Lead and deploy production best practices and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Reduce tooling costs and improve material flow, cycle times, and labor utilization.
Facilitate, execute, and manage projects to reduce costs using Lean, continuous improvement, and Six Sigma tools and methodologies.
Conduct time-motion studies and production capacity analyses.
Work with cross-functional plant teams to perform value-stream mapping.
Use Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma tools to prepare feasibility studies and assess whether costs are justified.
Evaluate improvements, prepare value analyses, and identify ways to reduce costs in production and production-support applications.
Consult with senior and related personnel on layouts, equipment designs, and analysis or improvement plans, and clarify or resolve relevant issues.
Provide direction for preparing layouts, visual aids, and detailed drawings to improve production processes.
Research, design, and develop cost-effective production processes across the full production value stream, including barn, kill, cut, packaging, warehouse methods, production flow, and production equipment.
Identify root causes of system inefficiencies and failures and recommend changes to designs and processing methods.
Identify areas for improving operating standards and incorporate techniques to enhance them.
Train and mentor new staff and assist other team members.
Document improved processes and ensure manufactured product designs meet required standards.
Apply mathematical and statistical analysis to data analysis and process control, and manage multiple projects accurately.