Continuous Improvement Manager

Stratas Foods LLC is the leading supplier of fats and oils to the Foodservice, Food Ingredients and Retail Private Label markets in North America and is a producer of quality bulk and packaged dressings, mayonnaise and sauces. Stratas Foods was formed in October 2008 as a 50/50 joint venture between ACH Food Companies (ACH) and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

Manufacturing facilities are located in Dallas and Houston, TX; Decatur and Quincy, IL; Englewood and Hillside, NJ; Fresno, CA; Nashville, TN; and Valdosta, GA.  Corporate offices are located in Memphis, TN.  We are committed to maintaining a progressive workplace by utilizing the ideas, skills and talents of all of our employees.  We strive to make Stratas Foods a great place to work and are building a team capable of meeting our business goals.

The goal and responsibility of our Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager is to help create a sustainable and growing culture of Continuous Improvement at Stratas Foods. Stratas CI is currently focused on: Improving visibility to current state performance, applying structured problem solving (Guide Paths) to performance gaps and implementation of Stratas Performance System (SPS) within each site. Successful individuals will be responsible for driving the improvement practice within 2 of our manufacturing facilities located in Hillside, NJ and Englewood, NJ. Our Continuous Improvement managers also support the Corporate and Factory Continuous Improvement teams with coordination execution of day-to-day actions and long-term efforts related to the Stratas Performance System (SPS). This role will report to our SR. Manager of Continuous Improvement.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Plant change agent / leader for continuous improvement (Stratas Performance System / SPS) and projects. Proactively identifying and prioritizing the biggest opportunities and driving them through to completion as effectively and quickly as possible
2. Lead and embed a continuous improvement culture throughout designated Stratas facility’s while helping to develop continuous improvement skills, methodologies and SPS culture
3. Involved in a significant amount of independent thinking, judgment and decision making along with strong project management skills and excellent management and mentoring of project teams. Complete and lead projects from ideation to completion
4. Support training teams with leadership and team member onboarding and ongoing trainings to establish and support core culture as well as deploy SPS concepts to the production floor.
5. Promote accountability across the organization by performing SPS audits to ensure tools are effectively used and behaviors are demonstrated.
6. Position would be responsible for leading 2-3 Stratas sites for continuous improvement / Process improvement activities. Position could require up to 25% travel. Travel and fill in/supplement when a Stratas location requires Continuous Improvement, TPM or Engineering assistance.
7. Work closely with cross functional teams to identify, implement and drive opportunities across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People.
8. Possesses and provides expertise in Lean methodologies and is capable to provide training, coaching and demonstrable practical application to the organization in the methodology, tools and templates used to improve work: Skills Matrix, Kanban, Value Stream Maps, Agile, A3 Problem Solving, etc.
9. Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation of various processes and programs.
10. Position is also responsible for conducting the analysis of existing operations to propose fact-based opportunities and solutions while executing stakeholder communications and change plans across End-to-End value streams and administrative/transactional areas (IT, HR, Finance, Shared Services, etc.).
11. Work with SPS Leadership Steering Team to continually improve the SPS framework and share knowledge. Recommends and implements improvements and/or modifications in sequence of operations, equipment utilization, and continuous improvement opportunities.
12. Reviews proposals from outside vendors regarding the purchase of new and/or the modernization of existing production/processing equipment. Perform other duties as assigned by plant management
13. Collaborate closely with onsite teams and participate in onsite meetings to drive departmental objectives.  

The goal and responsibility of our Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager is to help create a sustainable and growing culture of Continuous Improvement at Stratas Foods. Stratas CI is currently focused on: Improving visibility to current state performance, applying structured problem solving (Guide Paths) to performance gaps and implementation of Stratas Performance System (SPS) within each site. Successful individuals will be responsible for driving the improvement practice within 2 of our manufacturing facilities located in Hillside, NJ and Englewood, NJ. Our Continuous Improvement managers also support the Corporate and Factory Continuous Improvement teams with coordination execution of day-to-day actions and long-term efforts related to the Stratas Performance System (SPS). This role will report to our SR. Manager of Continuous Improvement.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Plant change agent / leader for continuous improvement (Stratas Performance System / SPS) and projects. Proactively identifying and prioritizing the biggest opportunities and driving them through to completion as effectively and quickly as possible
2. Lead and embed a continuous improvement culture throughout designated Stratas facility’s while helping to develop continuous improvement skills, methodologies and SPS culture
3. Involved in a significant amount of independent thinking, judgment and decision making along with strong project management skills and excellent management and mentoring of project teams. Complete and lead projects from ideation to completion
4. Support training teams with leadership and team member onboarding and ongoing trainings to establish and support core culture as well as deploy SPS concepts to the production floor.
5. Promote accountability across the organization by performing SPS audits to ensure tools are effectively used and behaviors are demonstrated.
6. Position would be responsible for leading 2-3 Stratas sites for continuous improvement / Process improvement activities. Position could require up to 25% travel. Travel and fill in/supplement when a Stratas location requires Continuous Improvement, TPM or Engineering assistance.
7. Work closely with cross functional teams to identify, implement and drive opportunities across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People.
8. Possesses and provides expertise in Lean methodologies and is capable to provide training, coaching and demonstrable practical application to the organization in the methodology, tools and templates used to improve work: Skills Matrix, Kanban, Value Stream Maps, Agile, A3 Problem Solving, etc.
9. Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation of various processes and programs.
10. Position is also responsible for conducting the analysis of existing operations to propose fact-based opportunities and solutions while executing stakeholder communications and change plans across End-to-End value streams and administrative/transactional areas (IT, HR, Finance, Shared Services, etc.).
11. Work with SPS Leadership Steering Team to continually improve the SPS framework and share knowledge. Recommends and implements improvements and/or modifications in sequence of operations, equipment utilization, and continuous improvement opportunities.
12. Reviews proposals from outside vendors regarding the purchase of new and/or the modernization of existing production/processing equipment. Perform other duties as assigned by plant management
13. Collaborate closely with onsite teams and participate in onsite meetings to drive departmental objectives.  

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field, Minimum of 8+ years of previous continuous improvement experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree (MBA, Master’s) preferred with 7+ years previous CI experience

Related Experience: 10+ years of experience in F&B Manufacturing or similar Industry, 7+ years with managing multi-site leadership preferred.

Equipment/Software Skills: High degree of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Power BI, ERP System(s), Downtime Reporting applications, Maintenance Software

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations: Lean / Six Sigma Black Belt or Higher Certification and Project Management (PMP) Certification preferred

Competency

• Analytical Skills - Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management (from conception to completion), & planning skills.
• Computer skills - Have demonstrated excellent skills specifically related to Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint), Power Bi and ERP Systems
• Problem Solving - Solves complex problems through decision making, extensive research, analysis and evaluation of multiple variables. Able to solve complex problems with little or no guidance
• Communication - Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven ability working with all types of individuals from corporate to plant. Experience challenging business units and other departments on their assumptions of how they will successfully execute their plans with specific focus on end-to-end execution and impact on downstream processes/systems

Physical: Typical activities may include prolonged periods of sitting or standing, using a computer, and occasional movement within the workplace. May require lifting or moving items up to 25 pounds.

Sensory: Requires clear verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with team members and others. Active listening and attention to detail are essential.

Mental/Reasoning: Must be able to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and adapt to changing demands. Requires strong organizational skills, dependability, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. Must demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion.

Pay range: $134,128.22 - $167,659.58

Annual Bonus Incentive: 10%

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision

Stratas Foods is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee in any manner prohibited by law, including but not limited to, on the basis of race or color, religion, gender, age, genetic information, national origin/ancestry, mental or physical disability, family status/marital status, military/veteran status, and any other legally protected status.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision-The Employer will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the Employer’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Stratas Foods Applicant Request for Accommodation Form: https://www.stratasfoods.com/compliance

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