Director of Continuous Improvement
Job Summary
The Director, Continuous Improvement is a strategic leader responsible for defining, advancing, and sustaining enterprise-wide continuous improvement initiatives across assigned platforms. This role partners closely with Plant and Functional Leadership to embed a high-performance culture grounded in Lean, Agile, and data-driven decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute strategic initiatives aligned to operational excellence and business objectives
Lead the deployment, standardization, and sustainment of the Maker’s Pride Performance System across all production and non-production areas
Design, implement, and continuously improve tools, systems, and processes that enable scalable continuous improvement across the organization
Lead and oversee large-scale, cross-functional improvement initiatives to ensure successful execution and measurable results
Coach and develop CI leaders and teams to effectively plan, execute, and sustain improvement projects and kaizen events
Identify and develop high-potential talent; provide coaching, mentoring, and career development support to build future leadership capability
Champion Lean and Agile methodologies, driving adoption and cultural integration at all levels of the organization
Influence and drive cultural transformation by embedding continuous improvement principles into daily operations and leadership behaviors
Partner with Operations and CI teams to develop and deliver improvement pipelines and financial savings targets
Drive data-driven decision-making through improved utilization and standardization of SAP and other systems
Promote collaboration, structured problem-solving, and strategic thinking to deliver sustainable business outcomes
Manage multiple concurrent projects while ensuring alignment, prioritization, and resource optimization
Communicate effectively with stakeholders across all levels, including executive leadership, to provide updates, insights, and recommendations
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field required
Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or Operational Excellence. Minimum of 4 years in a manufacturing environment strongly preferred. Food manufacturing experience a plus
Demonstrated experience leading large-scale transformation initiatives and cross-functional projects
Certifications: Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen certification preferred
Skills: Deep expertise in Lean, Agile, and continuous improvement methodologies; Six Sigma knowledge a plus
Strong project and program management capabilities, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization
Advanced problem-solving skills with a structured, data-driven approach
Strong financial acumen, including understanding of P&L, cost drivers, and performance metrics
Experience leveraging SAP and other systems to drive standardization and decision-making (preferred)
High level of attention to detail, professionalism, and ability to manage confidential information
Ability to work autonomously while building strong cross-functional relationships
Demonstrated ability to drive change, influence culture, and sustain results in a fast-paced environment
Travel: Travel 50%–75% to support plant initiatives and ensure consistent execution
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this full-time, salaried position is $160,266-240,400/year. Individual base pay depends on work location and additional factors such as experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training. The position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive based on company and individual performance. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, 401k and wellness benefits beginning on the first day of employment.