Production Process Improvement Lead

Description

Supports production management by analyzing operational performance, identifying process issues, and leading improvement activities. This is a hands-on, floor-focused position responsible for coordinating projects that improve productivity, labor utilization, downtime, waste, quality, and process consistency.

This position manages improvement initiatives and coordinates activities across departments but does not have direct reports unless otherwise assigned.

• Collect, review, and validate production data and performance metrics.

• Analyze productivity, downtime, labor efficiency, waste, quality, and other various production reports.

• Identify bottlenecks, recurring problems, inefficient workflows, and improvement opportunities.

• Lead process improvement projects from initial identification through implementation and follow-up.

• Conduct time studies and evaluate production methods, staffing, workflow, and line performance.

• Support root-cause analysis and coordinate corrective actions with the appropriate departments.

• Establish measurable improvement targets in coordination with production management.

• Track project action items, responsibilities, deadlines, progress, and results.

• Verify that completed improvements are maintained and continue producing the expected results.

• Prepare and maintain production reports, dashboards, performance summaries, and project updates.

• Develop and update standard operating procedures, work instructions, process documentation, and training materials.

• Support employees during process changes, system implementation, and training.

• Coordinate improvement activities with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Planning, Warehouse, and other departments.

• Communicate unresolved production, process, data, or application issues to management.

• Encourage employee participation, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout production.

• Perform other production support and process-improvement duties as assigned.

• Serve as the primary production contact for monitoring and supporting the production tracking application.

• Monitor application use and verify the accuracy and completeness of production data.

• Assist employees with proper application use and provide basic user training.

• Identify data, process, or system issues and coordinate required corrections or updates.

• Test application changes and confirm that updates meet production requirements.

• Maintain basic application instructions and communicate process or system changes to users.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two years of experience in manufacturing, production support, quality, data analysis, or process improvement.
• Experience coordinating projects or process improvement activities.
• Experience analyzing production performance, downtime, labor, waste, quality, or efficiency.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and basic data reporting.
• Basic knowledge of root-cause analysis and continuous improvement methods.
• Strong communication, organization, leadership, problem-solving, and follow-up skills.

Abilities Required:

• Ability to organize multiple projects and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with multiple departments.
• Ability to spend regular time on the production floor and adjust working hours when needed to support production activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in food manufacturing, packaging, or a similar production environment.
• Experience using production tracking applications, ERP systems, or manufacturing software.
• Experience conducting time studies or developing standard work.
• Experience creating dashboards, reports, procedures, or training materials.
• Bilingual English and Spanish.
• Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous-improvement training.