Continuous Improvement Technician

HP Hood•Batavia, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The primary objective of a Continuous Improvement Technician is to increase productivity, improve quality, reduce waste, enhance safety, and drive a culture of continuous improvement by working directly with production teams where the work occurs (Gemba). This position will require a flexible schedule to support operations across multiple shifts. HP Hood is one of the largest and most trusted food and beverage manufacturers in the United States, with a portfolio of national and super-regional brands and licensed products including Hood, Heluva Good, Lactaid, Blue Diamond Almond Breeze, and Planet Oat.

Requirements

Associate’s degree required and >1 year of operations leadership experience (i.e. lead, supervisor, manager); or >3 years of operations leadership experience (i.e. lead, supervisor, manager).
>3 years of experience working with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing facility.
>1 year of experience leading improvement initiatives in operations.
Strong communication, listening, leadership, and organizational skills.
Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to think creatively and proactively propose solutions with attention to detail.
Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database management software.
High-energy self-starter with a resilient, can-do attitude.
Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
Strong coaching, facilitation and organizational skills with a demonstrated track record of successful change management.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Lean tools (i.e. 5S, root cause analysis, A3) preferred.
Prior knowledge/experience with Lean Manufacturing is preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor Production Processes: Observe daily operations on the shop floor, identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, quality issues, and safety concerns, and collect real-time performance data and analyze trends. Sustain and support daily manufacturing operations as the CI representative on the operations team.
Support Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Act as the CI representative at Tier 2 and 3 meetings, implement solutions based on employee suggestions to eliminate waste and improve safety, quality, and line efficiencies. Participate in Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other CI activities. Provide hands-on support for Operations in implementation of improvements. Lead, own, and drive cross-functional continuous improvement projects, as assigned, i.e. 5S, improved yield and OEE. Prepare, distribute & present project status reports to project team members and management.
Problem Solving and Root Cause Analysis: Investigate recurring production, quality, and downtime issues. Facilitate root cause analysis teams and implement effective countermeasures.
Standard Work and Process Optimization: Create, update, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs). Ensure work instructions reflect best practices. Help establish and sustain standardized work methods.
Employee Engagement: Work closely with operators, technicians, and supervisors. Encourage employee involvement in improvement opportunities. Train team members on CI tools and methodologies.
Visual Management and Workplace Organization: Support 5S implementation and audits. Maintain visual boards, performance dashboards, and action trackers. Promote a culture of workplace discipline and accountability.
Project Execution: Assist in planning, executing, and documenting CI projects. Verify that improvements deliver measurable results. Help sustain gains through audits and follow-up activities.
Safety and Quality Support: Ensure improvements align with safety and quality requirements. Participate in safety observations and quality investigations. Help reduce defects, rework, and process variation.