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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 Manager

Job Location: ​Fairfield​

This role is based out of our Fairfield, CA manufacturing facility and will be an in-person role. Some travel to our manufacturing sites, largely located in the Chicagoland area.

Want to make an impact?

The Continuous Improvement Manager drives site initiatives to improve operational and equipment efficiencies as well as deliver cost savings by building capability in manufacturing methodologies, systems, and tools. Methodologies will include but are not limited to: safety (personnel and food), product quality, leadership, service the business, sources of loss, unit cost, and employee methods and performance.

Ways you will make a difference

  • Deploys strategic methodologies, systems, and tools including Autonomous Maintenance, Preventative Maintenance, SMED, Problem Solving, Green Belt/Black Belt Project, and Process Mapping to deliver site OEE and cost savings goals
  • Drives and supports cost ideations and diagnostics, along with tracking projects for visibility
  • Provides tracking and regular communication to various plant functions and teams regarding Manufacturing Excellence progress
  • Integrates system health and project monitoring into current structure (COE meetings, Operational Reviews) to ensure sustainability of improvements
  • Identifies and troubleshoot chronic and sporadic losses by engaging and collaborating with hourly personnel and supervisors. Drives losses to zero using SPC, Six Sigma and other lean principles
  • Utilizes systems and tools to deliver a reduction in minor stops and breakdowns
  • Drives restoration to base condition of bottleneck equipment through AM and PM execution (CILs, Centerlines, Defect Identification, 5S, Visual Management)
  • Builds capability in the PM team to effectively plan, schedule, and execute work; install and sustain the Breakdown Elimination and equipment classification systems
  • Identifies and implements new technology improvements
  • Builds capability by developing and executing training for operations, leadership and plant associates on methodologies, systems, and tools
  • Supports plant implementation of AM and PM by coaching supervisors/ managers to ensure their capability to lead work teams
  • Promotes a change of culture within the group/site - especially at the front-line level
  • Lead and coach projects that align with key priorities and help develop strategic plans to ensure that manufacturing sites achieve their goals
  • Utilize and analyze data to make informed decisions that help support business needs
  • Other duties as assigned
     

Skills that will make you successful

  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Analytically minded
  • Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization
  • Ability to plan and manage priorities
  • Ability to lead cross-functional teams across all levels of the organization
  • Ability to influence without authority
  • Building effective relationships amongst all levels of the organization
  • Being a change management agent

Experiences that will support your success

  • Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or technical/business field
  • 5+ years of continuous improvement experience in a manufacturing environment
  • 2+ years of leadership experience and managing direct reports
  • Experience leading continuous improvement projects (Lean, TPM, Six Sigma)
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Food manufacturing background preferred
  • General knowledge of ERP systems; SAP experience preferred
  • Formal Lean Six Sigma experience preferred

compensation: $120-145k, depending on experience

#LI-MM1

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.

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