Continuous Improvement & Engineering Manager

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the overall CI program at the site with a focus on improving plant performance, cost, accountability, and long-term capability.
• Understand and apply the Eagle Performance System and the pillar concept.
• Become familiar with the pillar tools and develop a competency level with each tool to be able to both lead small group activities using the tools and teach others to do the same.
• Serve as site owner with engagement from Operations and QA, for the standardized setup and use of RedZone to collect line event and compliance data and create real-time reporting capability.
• Quantify major loss themes and ensure loss data is translated into clear priorities for scrap, downtime, throughput, and utility/waste reduction.
• Lead and facilitate use of CI tools (A3, 5 Why, fishbone, kaizen, etc.) to eliminate loss and build site capability.
• Facilitate development of a site loss recovery opportunity list and support prioritization of improvement work tied to business needs.
• Identify and execute cost savings opportunities that positively impact plant financial performance.
• Facilitate the site strategic planning process (CI Steering Committee) and ensure adherence to higher-level scorecard review, gap analysis, and follow-up.
• Lead weekly and monthly plant result reviews and ensure performance trends are translated into actionable priorities.
• Lead GEMBA walks and develop a ‘Manage by Walking Around’ approach to reinforce standards and identify barriers.
• Lead and coordinate 5S, standardization, and visual management as practical solutions to operational problems.
• Develop and manage auditing approaches to ensure systems are sustained through normal operating conditions and transitions.
• Own rollout and management of layered process auditing, including structure, assignments, follow-up, and escalation.
• Train and coach teams in structured problem solving and ensuring corrective actions are followed through to effectiveness.
• Own the site technical training system for plant-specific skills, including alignment of documentation, training matrices, standard work, and one-point lessons.
• Partner with project owners and engineers to define required documentation and deliverables for knowledge transfer.
• Verify that technical training is conducted effectively and documentation supports sustainment.
• Participate in DDS meetings and ensure issues are identified, escalated, and acted upon with discipline.
• Maintain floor presence to validate systems, support teams, and identify barriers.
• Support supervisors and leadership in resolving process and performance issues.
• Identify process and packaging barriers and help drive solutions.
• Support plant trials through coordination, readiness, documentation, and training support.
• Identify areas of waste and support cost reduction efforts.
• Leverage systems, including RedZone and Infor M3, to improve KPI visibility and decision-making.
• Provide cross-functional support while maintaining focus on long-term systems improvement.
• Support compliance readiness through systems, documentation for internal customers, and regulatory requirements, including SQF, SMETA, safety, and quality programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience in operations, process improvement, or related function.
• Proven track record in leading Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar process improvement initiatives.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Knowledge of methodologies such as 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and PDCA.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and facilitate improvement workshops or Kaizen events.
• Strong change management skills and the ability to influence others across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.