Continuous Improvement Manager
About The Position
The Continuous Improvement Manager will lead the manufacturing transformation agenda at the factory producing Knorr® products. The role is responsible for accelerating factory performance, capabilities, and competitive advantage by embedding operational excellence, building capability, and eliminating losses. Working with site leadership, engineering, operations, and global stakeholders, the manager will drive improvements in productivity, reliability, quality, and cost while developing manufacturing talent. Using World Class Manufacturing (WCM) and the Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS), the manager will develop and execute the site's Manufacturing Excellence Master Plan, lead site-wide loss analysis and improvement initiatives, and establish governance for accountability and delivery. The role also builds a culture of continuous improvement and problem solving, coaches leaders and frontline teams, and leads the Manufacturing Training Platform and workforce capability strategy. The position collaborates with Site Leadership, Supply Unit Directors, Engineering, R&D, and Global MANEX teams, and advises Category Engineering so manufacturing excellence is incorporated into future technologies and innovations. The manager also shares effective practices across factories and regions.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, continuous improvement, or operational excellence experience.
- Demonstrated success leading large-scale performance improvement initiatives and delivering measurable business results.
- Deep expertise in Manufacturing Excellence, Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, WCM, TPM, or related operational excellence methodologies.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to convert insights into action.
- Proven ability to influence leaders and drive change within complex manufacturing environments.
- Exceptional coaching, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
- Ability to balance long-term transformational strategy with day-to-day operational execution.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent.
- Experience leading Manufacturing Excellence, Continuous Improvement, WCM, TPM, or Operational Excellence programs in consumer goods, food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or high-speed manufacturing.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the site's Manufacturing Excellence Master Plan, aligning business priorities with long-term performance and capability goals.
- Champion deployment and maturity of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) and Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) across the factory.
- Partner with site leadership to identify strategic opportunities that improve operational effectiveness and produce sustainable business results.
- Serve as a key advisor and change leader during major transformation initiatives.
- Lead site-wide loss analysis and elimination across safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost.
- Deliver measurable improvements in OEE, Manufacturing Performance (MP), Output Reliability (OR), and Cost per Tonne (CPT).
- Establish a governance process to drive accountability and continuous delivery of improvement initiatives.
- Identify and implement best practices, emerging technologies, and innovative manufacturing solutions.
- Embed continuous improvement, problem solving, and operational excellence into daily work.
- Coach leaders, managers, and frontline teams in Lean, WCM, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Lead capability-building strategies and develop site maturity roadmaps toward world-class manufacturing benchmarks.
- Lead the site's Manufacturing Training Platform and capability development strategy.
- Ensure learning systems, certification processes, and technical development programs support operational priorities and loss elimination.
- Drive adoption of modern learning methods, digital tools, structured certification pathways, and skills-based development frameworks.
- Partner with HR and global learning teams to build a capable and adaptable workforce.
- Collaborate with Site Leadership, Supply Unit Directors, Engineering, R&D, and Global MANEX teams to align operational and innovation priorities.
- Provide strategic guidance to Category Engineering to incorporate manufacturing excellence principles into future technologies and innovations.
- Champion sharing of best practices across factories and regions.
Benefits
- Bonus eligibility.
- Long-term incentive eligibility.
- Health insurance, including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement savings benefits.
- Life insurance and disability benefits.
- Parental leave.
- Sick leave.
- Paid vacation and holidays.
- Access to voluntary benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
