Continuous Improvement Manager II

Refresco Careers•Dunkirk, NY

13d

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager II develops, coordinates, and sustains continuous improvement initiatives within a manufacturing plant. Reporting to the Plant Director and partnering with the Corporate CI team, Plant Leadership, and Maintenance teams, the role deploys CI strategies and best practices to improve operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and overall plant performance. The position leads improvement projects, trains and develops employees to lead similar initiatives, and fosters a Lean mindset throughout the plant. It requires a strong Lean background and significant time on the production floor to drive sustainable improvements and secure buy-in at all levels. The role operates in a fast-paced production plant with moving equipment, noise requiring hearing protection, and temperatures that can be very hot or relatively cold. The environment is structured and supervised, with production targets and schedules. Attention to detail and sensory focus are required, and the position involves pronounced pressure from deadlines, project management, and accuracy demands. Travel is anticipated rarely. Weekdays, weekends, afternoons, evenings, overnight work, and holidays may be required, and work hours or shifts may need to adjust to production and operational demands. Refresco Beverages US Inc. offers a pay range of $125,000–$145,000, plus eligibility for performance-based bonuses based on company objectives. The hired applicant’s wages within the range depend on factors including experience, education, training, qualifications, skills, geographic location, performance, and business needs. The company describes its leadership approach as empowering leaders, encouraging them to lead courageously, empower individuals, and drive company growth as one team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in Engineering, Business, or Operations.
2–3 years of experience in Continuous Improvement required.
Strong leadership capabilities in a fast-paced production environment required.
Demonstrated success implementing and driving cultural and operational improvements through structured change management.
Hands-on experience deploying Lean methodologies, including Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, and Visual Management, to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
Experience planning, leading, and coaching Kaizen events.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Outlook, and Windows; ability to adapt quickly to new software applications.
Comprehensive understanding of SQF standards and strong responsibility for food safety and food quality.
Ability to teach, coach, and apply structured problem-solving methods such as 5-Why and Fishbone Analysis to identify and eliminate root causes.
Proactive approach to identifying opportunities, making data-driven decisions, and executing improvements with urgency.
Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to engage and influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
Ability to take ownership, prioritize multiple assignments, and work independently with minimal supervision.
Strong organizational and time-management skills to manage competing deadlines and work effectively under pressure.
Ability to adapt to change and remain focused in fast-paced, evolving work settings.
Willingness to adjust work hours or shifts as required by production and operational demands.
Ability to work in a production plant with moving equipment, noise requiring hearing protection, and potentially very hot or cold temperatures.
Ability to work weekdays, weekends, afternoons, evenings, overnight shifts, and holidays as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with SAP is highly preferred.
Previous experience in the food or beverage manufacturing industry is preferred.

Responsibilities

Comply with and ensure compliance with health and safety policies and procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and PPE requirements.
Ensure compliance with food quality and food safety standards set by corporate, customers, and governing bodies such as SQF.
Lead, facilitate, and coach Kaizen events to improve safety, first-pass quality, direct labor efficiency, yield, and indirect labor optimization.
Mentor and train employees in continuous improvement tools, including the 8 Wastes, Standard Work, SMED, 5S, and Centerlining.
Maintain a rolling 12-month pipeline of productivity initiatives and capital improvement opportunities.
Facilitate regular planning meetings to validate cost savings, review project status, and develop contingency plans for initiatives that are off track.
Track and report cost savings, project sustainability, and employee engagement related to continuous improvement initiatives.
Analyze plant financials, including P&L and internal data tools, to identify cost-saving opportunities and prioritize high-impact improvements.
Lead implementation and sustainment of the Refresco Management System (RMS), aligned with plant objectives.
Identify, evaluate, and execute process improvements that increase efficiency and plant output while reducing waste.
Collaborate across functions to support alignment, information sharing, and a unified approach to continuous improvement.
Implement and promote best practices through the Best Practice Sharing process.
Define, monitor, and maintain KPIs to measure plant performance and drive accountability.
Partner with plant leadership to develop and execute strategies to improve workplace safety and reduce accidents, energy consumption, and material waste.
Take immediate action when food safety or quality issues are identified.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned; duties may change or new ones may be assigned without notice.