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For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist-Day Shift

Job Location: Bellwood

Want to make an impact?

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist drives production, warehouse, processing, and packaging activities, with a focus on CI Initiatives, to achieve the safety, quality, customer service, and costs goals. The individual needs to collaborate closely with the other departments to achieve project objectives aligned with the business needs. In this role, the individual will be responsible to drive Continuous Improvement tools across the business such as Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).

Ways you will make a difference

Responsibilities:
•   Identifying, chartering, and leading CI improvement initiatives by providing project updates to the factory leadership team and project stakeholders highlighting the status, adherence to the project time plan, work accomplished, quick wins, points of escalation, elements of risk and the associated mitigation plans.
•   Utilize continuous improvement tools and methodologies (RCA, DMAIC, Loss Tree Analysis, IPA, etc.) to drive sustainable operational improvements.
•   Collect and analyze data and operating conditions; implement changes and follow-up on results by involving key responsible people (i.e. sponsor, process owner, and operator).
•   Carry out follow-up programs to maintain the achieved savings, additional training, detect further savings opportunities, as well as ensure the overall continuity of projects.
•   Participate in annual budget process to assess all run rate efficiencies, nominal speeds, and scrap values by component.
•   Work collaboratively with product development, marketing, supply chain, finance, and operations to bring new products to market and meet the defined project objectives.
•   Ensure that factory safety, operational and quality standards are adhered to.
•   Facilitate improvements in hourly workforce proficiency, training, and development programs. Interacts with other department’s heads to exchange information impacting productivity performance.
•   Escalate issues in a timely manner.
•   Measure and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Skills that will make you successful

•   Strong project management skills, including excellent planning and organizational skills.
•   Proficient in hi-speed packaging and process equipment application/design, process development
•   Proficient in continuous improvement techniques, including but not limited to TPM, Lean Six Sigma, DMAIC.
•   Must be able to work in and add value to a fast paced, high stress manufacturing environment.
•   People skills (coaching/counseling, motivation, performance, employee, relations, etc.) at hourly and staff Team-building skills both inter and intra department.
•   Creative, highly motivated, and self-starting.
•   Exceptional analytical, root-cause-analysis, and decision-making abilities
•   Effective written and verbal communication/presentation skills
•   Computer literate, Microsoft Office, Advanced Microsoft Excel

Experiences that will support your success

•   Bachelor’s degree
•   Two years of experience in manufacturing preferred.
•   Lean Six Sigma background. LSS Green Belt preferred but not required.
•   Ability to work periodically on any shift, per individual project requirements.
•   Knowledge of SAP.
•   Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) experience

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.