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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 Specialist

Work Location: Fairfield

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Want to make an impact?

Continuous Improvement Specialist will be responsible for driving operational improvement projects as well as working on cross-functional teams to commercialize innovative products in the factory. Continuous improvement efforts will focus on making sustainable gains in OEE, quality, safety, cost, and delivery. Methods for achieving and sustaining improvements will be based on using continuous improvement fundamentals. The team member will need to collaborate closely with team, factory, and other corporate groups to achieve the project objectives aligned with the business needs. The team member will be responsible to carry out assignments of a broad nature while exercising considerable judgment and creativity. The team member needs to be able to carry out appropriate financial analysis to validate/support proposals and gain support of key stakeholders.

Ways you will make a difference

Drive Continuous Improvement & Productivity Savings Projects
Responsible for identifying, chartering, and leading significant improvement initiatives - delivering the project results on time.
Provide project updates to the factory leadership team and project stakeholders highlighting the current status, adherence to the project time plan, work accomplished, quick wins, points of escalation, elements of risk and the associated mitigation plans.
Develop project teams on key skills to drive improvement.
Utilize continuous improvement tools and methodologies (RCA, DMAIC, Loss Tree Analysis, IPA, etc.) to drive sustainable operational improvements.
Analyze given data and operating conditions; implement changes and follow-up on results by involving key responsible people (i.e. sponsor, process owner, operator).
Determine means to reduce material usages, material losses and rework, and to achieve energy savings.
Carry out follow-up programs to maintain the achieved savings, to complete additional training, to detect further savings opportunities, as well as ensure the overall continuity of the project.
Maintain and Analyze Factory Routing and Scrap Standards
Participate in annual budget process to assess all run rate efficiencies, nominal speeds, and scrap values by component
Work with production to validate and finance to align on adjustments needed
Support Business Innovation and Renovation Efforts
Determine the optimum machine speed, production cycles and line crewing that are required for master scheduling, as well as for short term planning and control.
Carry out the respective trials, together with the supervisors and managers, before any change or newly designed system or method is installed. Assist the operations, supervisors, and mangers for adapting changes to take the necessary actions and any other steps required to ensure the achievement of the best possible result.
Work collaboratively with product development, marketing, supply chain, finance, and operations to bring new products to market and meet the defined project objectives.
Utilize SAP to create and maintain product standards.

Skills that will make you successful

- Interpersonal skills, self confidence, leadership abilities
- Change agent
- Ability to build trust and interact with all levels of the organization
- Strong project management skills
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Communication skills (verbal and written)
- Working knowledge of TPM, Lean, and Six Sigma strongly preferred
- Professional maturity, appearance, and demeanor
- Proficiency in areas of general business administration: organizational design and communications, economics, finance, etc.
- Team leadership and team membership skills
- Negotiation skills, training skills
- Creative, reliable, organized, adaptable, flexible, innovative, and a self starter
- Computer literate (including mastery of all Microsoft Office Suite)
- Customer service orientation
- Focus on adding value to a fast and performance driven business

Experiences that will support your success

Two years of experience in food manufacturing preferred
Six Sigma or Lean background with examples of application and results preferred (preferable skill set at the level of a Green or Black Belt)

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR

Compensation

75k-85k annually

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.