The Role: The Continuous Improvement Manager is a hands-on, player-coach plant leadership role responsible for building, implementing, and sustaining the systems, processes, and operating disciplines needed to improve performance across the ACH Foods Argo facility. This role partners directly with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Sanitation, Safety, Warehouse, Supply Chain, and Human Resources and is expected to maintain a strong presence on the plant floor. The position will help establish processes and standards that may not currently exist, while improving safety, quality, reliability, cost, productivity, labor utilization, equipment performance, and overall operational effectiveness. Success requires the ability to think strategically, work hands-on with plant teams, drive execution, and build solid short- and long-term plans that move the facility from reactive problem solving toward a disciplined and sustainable future-state operating model.
What You'll Do:- Develops and leads the plant Continuous Improvement strategy aligned with company objectives, plant priorities, and the long-term needs of the Argo facility.
- Develops and implements hands-on continuous improvement initiatives that improve safety, quality, reliability, delivery, cost, productivity, labor utilization, and efficiency.
- Partners closely with Operations and Maintenance, as well as Engineering, Quality, Sanitation, Safety, Warehouse, Supply Chain, and HR, to create alignment, establish ownership, and allocate resources to plant priorities.
- Builds and implements foundational operating systems where standards are not yet established, including daily management, standard work, visual controls, escalation processes, action tracking, accountability routines, and performance reviews.
- Uses and teaches Lean and Continuous Improvement methodologies including 5S, Autonomous Maintenance, SMED, value stream mapping, kaizen, A3, visual management, problem solving, and mistake-proofing to achieve sustainable results.
- Maintains a strong plant-floor presence and works directly with operators, mechanics, supervisors, engineers, and department leaders to observe processes, troubleshoot issues, implement improvements, and verify that changes are effective in practice.
- Develops and improves OEE and line capability standards, including downtime and asset-level tracking, chronic loss identification, equipment reliability analysis, and prioritization of the highest-impact opportunities.
- Develops, implements, and sustains a structured root cause analysis model throughout the facility, including 5-Why, Fishbone, A3, and other problem-solving tools, and ensures corrective actions are completed and sustained.
- Partners with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering to strengthen production planning, preventive maintenance coordination, equipment reliability, changeover performance, capacity planning, and long-term operational readiness.
- Leads complex cross-functional improvement projects from problem identification and business case development through implementation, financial validation, follow-up, and sustainability, on time and within budget constraints.
- Works with Finance and plant leadership to translate improvement opportunities into measurable business results, including cost savings, cost avoidance, productivity gains, waste reduction, labor efficiencies, and return on investment.
- Works in collaboration with Human Resources and plant leadership to develop training, education, capability-building, and change-management programs for leaders and shop-floor employees.
- Researches technologies, equipment improvements, processes, and best practices that can improve plant performance and supports future-state planning for equipment capability, labor needs, maintenance requirements, constraints, and capital priorities.
- Acts as a player-coach who challenges the status quo while helping teams execute solutions; develops and documents leadership and shop-floor standard work, drives accountability, and builds capability so improvements become part of normal plant operations.
What You'll Need: - Analytical / Systems Thinking - Synthesizes complex information, uses data and plant-floor observation to identify losses and systemic gaps, and understands manufacturing performance measures.
- Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; analyzes information skillfully, develops practical solutions, and drives issues to root cause.
- Project Management - Develops plans, coordinates cross-functional resources, communicates progress, manages priorities, and follows initiatives through implementation and sustainability.
- Operational Partnership - Builds effective relationships across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Safety, HR, and frontline teams; creates alignment across departments and levels.
- Communication - Communicates clearly with hourly employees, supervisors, managers, plant leadership, and corporate partners; listens, clarifies, and adjusts to the audience.
- Change Management - Creates structure where processes are evolving or not yet established and helps teams adopt new systems, standards, routines, and expectations.
- Leadership / Player-Coach - Leads with accountability and strong plant-floor presence; influences, coaches, challenges the status quo, and works hands-on with teams to deliver results.
- Finance / Business Acumen - Translates projects into measurable financial and operational goals, including savings, productivity, waste reduction, cost avoidance, and ROI.
- Training / Capability Building - Develops leaders and employees through effective training and coaching in CI, problem solving, standard work, and performance management.
(Identify the minimum and preferred education level)
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and significant manufacturing experience may be considered.
(Identify the years of experience required)
- 5+ years of progressive experience leading Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Manufacturing Excellence, Engineering, Operations, or related transformation initiatives in a manufacturing environment. Experience in a unionized plant environment strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience building operating systems, standard work, performance management processes, equipment reliability improvements, and cross-functional planning. Transformational culture change experience strongly preferred.
- Equipment/Software Skills:
(Identify the equipment and knowledge required on specific software packages or programs necessary for this position)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Experience with manufacturing performance systems, OEE reporting, downtime tracking, ERP systems, and maintenance or production management systems preferred. Knowledge of packaging or processing equipment is highly desirable. Working knowledge of SAP is a plus.
- Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:
(List any licenses, certificates and registrations that are required to perform the essential duties of this job: CPA, CMA, PhD., PHR, Engineer's License, A+ Certification, etc.)
- Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt, TPM, Operational Excellence, or similar Continuous Improvement certification preferred. Demonstrated practical experience implementing and sustaining CI systems may be considered in lieu of formal certification.
What We Offer:- Comprehensive PPO Medical Plan
- Dental Insurance
- Free Vision Insurance
- 100% 401(k) Matching Program
- Eleven (11) paid holidays per year
- On-site Gym
Salary Range:- Starting Salary Range: $119,800-$144,400. This includes the starting base pay range. Exact compensation will vary based on candidates' qualifications, job related knowledge and experience and specific location.
- Variable Pay is included in compensation package yet not part of base salary range.
Benefits: - Employees at ACH Food Companies, Inc. enjoy a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support you throughout your employment. ACH offers a choice of two PPO medical plans with low deductibles and dental coverage. Vision and Life Insurance are provided at no charge. Employees can elect additional life insurance as well as participate in a 401(k) with a company matching contribution.
