Process Improvement MGR

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream • Laurel, MD

4h • $120,000 - $130,000

About The Position

The Process Improvement Manager drives continuous improvement initiatives across the factory to enhance safety, quality, productivity, cost efficiency, and operational performance. The role leads Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence programs and partners with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to optimize processes and eliminate waste.

The position supports capital projects, equipment installations, automation, and plant modernization; develops and manages project timelines, budgets, and savings trackers; and trains employees on continuous improvement methods. It also helps ensure compliance with food safety requirements, GMPs, HACCP, SQF/BRC standards, and company policies.

The work takes place in a fast-paced manufacturing facility. The employee regularly works around others, in wet or humid and noisy areas, and near mechanical, electrical, and pressurized equipment. Some facility areas are cold and require cold-protective PPE. The role involves frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens. The posting describes prolonged standing, repetitive hand and arm movements, and frequent bending, reaching, walking, and lifting.

The listed pay range is $120,000–$130,000, with opportunities for overtime, shift differential, cold premium pay, and annual bonuses that vary with company performance. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life coverage; paid time off and holidays; paid parental leave; and a 401(k) plan with employer match and annual contribution. Visa sponsorship and immigration support are not available.

Requirements

• The posting does not specify a minimum education level or years of experience.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work alongside Supervisors and Production Admins to ensure systems are in order.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future; visa sponsorship and immigration support are not provided.
• Ability to work in the described manufacturing environment, including cold areas requiring protective PPE and frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens.
• The work environment description includes prolonged standing, repetitive hand and arm movements, and frequent bending, reaching, walking, and lifting.

Nice To Haves

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
• Experience in high-speed food or dairy manufacturing.
• Knowledge of frozen dessert processing, packaging, and cold-chain operations.
• Experience implementing OEE improvement programs and TPM (Total Productive Maintenance).

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, and cost savings.
• Identify process bottlenecks and develop solutions to improve manufacturing efficiency and throughput.
• Analyze production data, downtime trends, labor utilization, yields, and equipment performance to identify improvement opportunities.
• Facilitate Lean Manufacturing tools, including Kaizen events, 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for operational issues, quality defects, downtime, and customer complaints.
• Develop and maintain KPIs related to OEE, labor productivity, yield, waste, uptime, and cost.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement sustainable process improvements.
• Support capital projects, equipment installations, automation initiatives, and plant modernization efforts.
• Lead employee training programs related to continuous improvement methodologies and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with food safety requirements, GMPs, HACCP, SQF/BRC standards, and company policies.
• Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, and savings trackers for improvement projects.
• Benchmark industry best practices and implement innovative manufacturing solutions.
• Promote a culture of operational excellence and employee engagement throughout the facility.
• Support production targets, follow production plans, report issues promptly, and use materials responsibly to reduce downtime and waste.
• Maintain organized workstations, use raw materials and supplies appropriately, identify process improvements, and follow SOPs.
• Follow GMP quality checks, testing, and documentation requirements; escalate product-quality concerns; and participate in audits and improvement efforts.
• Follow safety, regulatory, environmental, food safety, hygiene, sanitation, and allergen-control requirements.
• Collaborate with team members, communicate clearly, participate in training, and report hazards, near misses, and unsafe behaviors.
• Operate equipment responsibly and support sustainability efforts by minimizing waste, recycling where required, and using resources efficiently.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) plan with employer match and annual contribution
• Opportunities for overtime, shift differential, cold premium pay, and annual bonuses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed