Continuous Improvement Manager II

Refresco•City of Dunkirk, NY

18h•$125,000 - $145,000

About The Position

Reporting to the Plant Director, the Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager II develops, coordinates, and sustains continuous improvement initiatives within a manufacturing plant. In partnership 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 CI Manager leads improvement projects, trains and develops employees to lead similar initiatives, and fosters a Lean mindset throughout the plant. The position 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 also supports compliance with health and safety policies, GMPs, PPE requirements, and food quality and safety standards, including SQF. It leads the implementation and sustainment of the Refresco Management System, maintains a rolling pipeline of productivity and capital improvement opportunities, tracks project savings and sustainability, and works across teams to improve plant performance. This is a fast-paced production plant environment. Weekdays, weekends, afternoons, evenings, overnight shifts, and holidays may be required, with work hours or shifts adjusted as production and operational demands require. Travel is anticipated rarely.

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.
Experience planning, leading, and coaching Kaizen events.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Windows, and ability to adapt quickly to new software applications.
Comprehensive understanding of SQF standards and responsibility for food safety and food quality, including taking immediate action when an issue is identified.
Willingness to adjust work hours or shifts based on production and operational demands.
Ability to teach, coach, and apply structured problem-solving methods such as 5-Why and Fishbone Analysis.
Proactive approach to identifying opportunities, making data-driven decisions, and executing improvements with urgency.
Ability to take ownership, prioritize multiple assignments, work independently with minimal supervision, and manage competing deadlines.
Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to engage and influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
Ability to adapt and maintain focus in a fast-paced, changing work environment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices, and PPE requirements.
Ensure compliance with corporate, customer, and governing-body food quality and food safety standards, including 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 CI 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 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 CI initiatives.
Analyze plant financials, including P&L and other internal data tools, to identify cost-saving opportunities and prioritize improvement areas.
Lead implementation and sustainment of the Refresco Management System, aligning it with plant objectives.
Identify, evaluate, and execute process improvements to increase efficiency and plant output while reducing waste.
Collaborate cross-functionally to align continuous improvement initiatives and support information sharing.
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 reduce accidents, energy consumption, and material waste.