Continuous Improvement Manager

Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC • Cordele, GA

52d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement Manager leads the transformation of a facility's CI culture by setting the vision, priorities, and operating rhythm that drive measurable performance gains. The position guides and develops a team while partnering across all functions to deliver improvements aligned with enterprise goals. Success in this role comes from balancing strategic direction with hands‑on coaching, data‑driven problem solving, and disciplined execution. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced CI professional who enjoys building systems, developing people, and making a lasting operational impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial technology or related field is required.
• Ten years of work experience in Continuous Improvement (CI), Lean, Manufacturing Engineering or Process Engineering are required.
• Leadership experience is required.
• Proven ability to lead and manage team activities aligned to strategic goals.
• Demonstrated mastery of standard work, TWI-Job Relations, TWI-Job Instruction and coaching for scientific thinking.
• Proven enterprise lean mastery, system design and coaching.
• Demonstrated mastery and training others on advanced lean/ six sigma and statistical tools.
• Established strength in creating a clear vision and developing a strategic plan.
• Ability to shape and reinforce a positive organizational culture aligned with core values and strategy.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple enterprise-wide projects at one time.
• Computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office are required.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time in hot or cold temperatures.
• Travel by various means up to 15% of the time is required.
• Must be able to work at elevated heights up to 50 ft.
• Valid U.S. driver's license is required and must meet all company requirements to drive a Helena vehicle.
• Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Minitab is preferred.
• Knowledge/experience with process programming, control strategies and instrumentation is a plus.
• Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages training and coaching plans for direct reports and the broader organization to support Continuous Improvement (CI) principles and routines.
• Identifies, sets priorities and coaches team on improvement projects aligned to the enterprise-wide CI vision aligned with hoshin goals.
• Develops, identifies and executes routines/ practices that successfully guide personnel through change.
• Coaches team to identify process constraints and monitors performance, performs root cause analysis, trouble shoots deviations and implements countermeasures to restore standard operations.
• Creates vision and transformation plan for a Continuous Improvement culture throughout the facility.
• Sets and aligns annual development goals and progression plans for direct reports.
• Creates and maintains a management process to effectively prioritize tasks and workload.
• Develops team to identify and apply relevant statistical analysis.
• Coaches and facilitates lean workshops and investigations.
• Coordinates with Environmental, Healthy & Safety (EHS) on risk assessments, safety issues and ergonomics.
• Aligns cross functionally the priority of work and task assignments and ensure collaboration with cross functional teams.
• Assigns, trains and coaches team on the validation of new products and processes using work standards, process capability studies, statistical analysis, etc. and ensures collaboration with plant engineering.
• Collaborates with the plant engineering team to identify and prioritize equipment solutions to optimize operations.
• Manages other team members.
• May be required to drive a company vehicle.
• Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by your leader.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Follows all company policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance STARTS THE SAME DAY YOU DO!
• Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
• Three-year vesting on company-match with 1,000 hours of service.
• Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.
• Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay - paid for by Helena at no cost to you.
• Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
• Up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave.
• Education Assistance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager