Associate Manager, Continuous Improvement

The Jonesboro factory is a fast-paced, dynamic environment where success is driven by collaboration and the Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS). Our site produces leading beauty and wellbeing brands, including Nexxus, TRESemmé, Dove, Axe, and Vaseline, delighting millions of consumers every day. We are committed to developing leaders who thrive in challenging, cross-functional roles and drive continuous improvement across the business.

Key Responsibilities
The Associate Manager of Continuous Improvement at the Jonesboro Factory is accountable for leading and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement through the Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS). This role drives operational excellence by eliminating losses and waste, improving efficiency, and ensuring the stability and reliability of technical packaging equipment. As the leader of the Focused Improvement (FI) Pillar, you will embed World Class Manufacturing (WCM) principles, champion continuous improvement, and guide the site’s transition from reactive problem-solving to a proactive approach—delivering world-class performance in safety, quality, and productivity.

• Lead Continuous Improvement: Drive FI methodology to deliver factory results, focusing on loss prioritization and elimination.
• Develop UMS Capability: Coach Pillar leaders on UMS methodology, ensuring mastery of concepts through training and practical application.
• Data-Driven Problem Solving: Collect and analyze complex data to identify loss patterns, perform root cause analysis, and implement sustainable countermeasures.
• Technical Leadership: Act as a technical partner to Operations teams (Focus techs, TMOs, Area leads), Engineering, and other Pillars, supporting R2S (Run to Standard) and reducing OLE losses.
• Cross-Pillar Collaboration: Partner with Cost Deployment, Quality, and Safety Pillars to align improvement roadmaps and deliver integrated solutions.
• Strategic Focus: Set the roadmap for proactive loss management and support other pillars in solving complex problems as the site advances on its improvement journey.
• Benchmark with other sites and bring best practices to North America and the Jonesboro factory.
• This role is critical to achieving world-class performance in safety, quality, and productivity by embedding a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence.

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related STEM discipline.
• 3+ years of related work experience in manufacturing engineering environment.
• Must demonstrate a flair for improvement in engineering and technical skills
• 2+ years of related work experience (WCM/TPM principles), Six Sigma, confident in applying problem solving tools (5W+1H, 4M, 5 Whys) in manufacturing setting.
• Attention to detail, bias for action, accountability, written and verbal communication skills, data collection and analysis, problem solving, decision-making, teamwork, and judgement

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in automation and controls (Allen Bradley), digital solutions, and statistical process controls.
• Master’s degree in engineering related discipline.
• PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or related certification(s). 

Pay: The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.  

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.  

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.  

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, 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, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

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At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.
Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.
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