Continuous Improvement Coordinator
About the role
Located in Bakersfield, CA, this full‑time, non‑exempt position reports to the CI Director. Generous Brands inspires people to thrive through vibrant nutrition via its brands Bolthouse Farms, Health‑Ade, Evolution Fresh, and its partnership with SAMBAZON. The Continuous Improvement Coordinator drives operational excellence, working cross‑functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain and other teams to identify improvement opportunities, facilitate Kaizen events, implement sustainable solutions, and improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, reliability and employee engagement using Lean Six Sigma and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
Responsibilities
- Lead CI initiatives: plan, coordinate, and execute continuous improvement activities such as Kaizen events, workshops, and projects.
- Identify and prioritize opportunities to eliminate waste, improve productivity, reduce variation, improve reliability, and reduce operating costs.
- Gather and analyze data related to process performance, identify trends, and present findings to support improvement efforts.
- Coordinate CI projects: schedule meetings, track progress, maintain documentation, and quantify benefits (cost savings, productivity gains, labor savings, waste reduction, quality improvements, capacity gains).
- Lead implementation and maintenance of 5S principles and develop visual management systems.
- Develop and deliver Lean Six Sigma, 5S, TPM, problem‑solving and other CI training; coach employees and leaders in applying Lean tools.
- Communicate CI priorities, project status, results, and opportunities to stakeholders at all levels; present during plant meetings and leadership reviews.
- Facilitate Kaizen events, workshops, problem‑solving sessions, and improvement teams.
- Develop and maintain visual management tools to track key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Lead development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Conduct 5S, TPM, and process audits and ensure corrective actions are completed.
- Lead plant‑ and organization‑wide CI initiatives aligned with strategic business objectives.
- Champion the gatekeeping of CI software systems (Mitti, RedZone, LineView).
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Basic understanding of Lean manufacturing principles.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
- Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Lean Six Sigma principles.
- Understanding of 5S, Kaizen, standard work, visual management, and structured problem solving.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data.
- Strong problem‑solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
Qualifications
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field (preferred).
- Experience with data analysis tools (e.g., SPC, Excel, Minitab) (preferred).
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or Green Belt certification (preferred).
Skills
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build relationships with employees at all levels.
- Proactive and solution‑oriented approach.
- Detail‑oriented with strong organizational skills.
- Strong facilitation and presentation skills.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Group Life and AD&D
- Voluntary Life and AD&D
- Group Short & Long‑Term Disability
- 401(k)
- Paid Time Off
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Gym Membership Discounts
Pay
$30.50 – $34.25 per hour
Schedule
Typical hours Monday‑Friday 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM; ability to work weekends when required, shift hours for off‑shift projects or Kaizen events, and travel as needed.