Continuous Improvement Manager - Harvard, IL

Archer Daniels Midland • Decatur, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for deploying and sustaining the Performance Excellence (PE) System at ADM’s Harvard Pet Nutrition location. The role connects tactical and operational work with strategic initiatives and supports operational activities across hot extrusion, cold extrusion, dry blending, bakery, and packaging. The manager facilitates change as the organization develops a Continuous Improvement mindset, building working relationships and buy-in while serving as the primary change facilitator for the PE System.

The position leads and coaches site steering and pillar teams, applies PE methods to address safety, quality, production, and cost losses, and equips department teams with tools, resources, and training. It also supports plant operations, including production schedules, equipment maintenance coordination, and plant emergencies, and provides coverage for Department Superintendents as needed. The role requires a high degree of availability to support a 24/7 operation.

Requirements

• Consistently demonstrate ADM Core Values.
• Take a safety-first approach to work.
• Have a solid track record of implementing change to improve an organization.
• Have experience as a leader within the company or be developing as a leader.
• Have foundational experience in Continuous Improvement.
• Be an ADM Performance Excellence, Lean, or TPM subject matter expert, or be willing and able to learn that skillset.
• Be a highly motivated leader able to lead by example using Continuous Improvement and Performance Excellence, Lean, or TPM methods.
• Have excellent communication skills and the ability to guide, provide feedback, coach, and mentor colleagues on engaging with Performance Excellence.
• Have experience in a relevant industry or manufacturing environment.
• Be willing and able to navigate complex HR environments at a large non-union facility.
• Use independent judgment to solve problems and have strong organizational skills to manage multiple ongoing tasks, meet deadlines, and pursue continuous improvement and high expectations for direct reports.
• Complete a background check successfully.
• Be available to support a 24/7 operation.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related discipline; equivalent experience is also noted.
• Experience with Continuous Improvement systems such as ADM Performance Excellence, Lean, or TPM, as an opportunity to develop as a company leader.

Responsibilities

• Lead, participate in, and support ongoing safety engagement.
• Serve as the site implementation leader and subject matter expert for Performance Excellence across the complex.
• Lead and coach the site steering team and pillar teams.
• Examine safety, quality, production, and cost losses and apply Performance Excellence methods to correct them and sustain improvements.
• Provide tools, resources, and training to department teams integrating Performance Excellence methods into standard work.
• Serve as a resource for plant and department leaders applying Performance Excellence methods for continuous improvement and sustained results.
• Drive health score improvements and increased Performance Excellence impacts, including revenue generation and savings.
• Maintain the Performance Excellence Wave Initiative to capture and record complex savings; monitor key initiatives and escalate or intervene with support and resources when they fall behind schedule.
• Maintain the Performance Excellence Hopper as the single source of truth for plant priorities and coordinate with Centers of Excellence to account for company priorities.
• Pursue continuing education on Performance Excellence methods and make learning opportunities available to leaders, colleagues, and pillar teams.
• Assist the Plant Manager in mentoring and developing Department Superintendents and Production Managers to adopt a Continuous Improvement mindset.
• Monitor production schedules to help ensure finished products ship on time and meet customer expectations.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance schedules to ensure equipment is maintained in line with production and commercial needs.
• Respond to plant emergencies.
• Provide coverage for Department Superintendents as needed.
• Maintain a high degree of availability for a 24/7 operation.

Benefits

• Medical and prescription coverage
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• On-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement, as applicable
• Flexible spending accounts
• Health savings account
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Cash balance plan
• Discounted employee stock purchasing program
• Life insurance
• Disability coverage
• Workers’ compensation
• Legal assistance
• Identity theft protection
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Colleague Giving Programs
• Paid time off, including paid holidays
• Adoption assistance
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Tuition assistance
• Company-sponsored training and development resources, including LinkedIn Learning, language training, and mentoring programs

What This Job Offers

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