Continuous Improvement Specialist

Work Location: ​Itasca​

Itasca, IL 

Due to the highly interactive nature of this manufacturing position, in-person attendance and flexibility are essential for supporting production schedules, effective communication and collaboration, real-time problem solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives. Schedules may vary and are subject to change.

Want to make an impact?

Drives CI production, warehouse, processing, and packaging activities with a focus on Continuous Improvement projects to achieve the safety, quality, customer service, and costs goals. Collaborates closely with team, factory, engineering, and other corporate groups to achieve project objectives aligned with business needs. This position plays a key role in a customer driven manufacturing function charged with continuously improving all aspects of performance.  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

• Responsible for identifying, chartering, and leading CI productivity improvement initiatives and 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.
• Utilize continuous improvement tools and methodologies (RCA, DMAIC, Loss Tree Analysis, IPA, etc.) to drive sustainable operational improvements.
• Collect, analyze given data and operating conditions; implement changes and follow-up on results by involving key responsible people (i.e. sponsor, process owner, and operator).
• Determine means to reduce material usages, material losses and rework, and to increase process efficiencies.
• 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 projects.
• Participate in annual budget process to assess all run rate efficiencies, nominal speeds, and scrap values by component.
• Contribute to respective trials, together with the supervisors and managers, before any change or newly designed system or method is installed.
• Assist the operations, supervisors, and managers 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.
• 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.

Drive continuous improvements in the following areas, processing, packaging, and warehouse:   

• Safety     
• Quality       
• Start-up and Downtime   
• Line & operation Efficiency   
• Change-over duration  
• Scrap 
• Performance to Schedule
• Cost Escalate issues in a timely manner Measure and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Skills that will make you successful

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering, Engineering or Business preferred.
• Two years of experience in food manufacturing preferred.
• Six Sigma or Lean background with examples of application and results preferred.
• Willingness to work off shift, weekends and holidays if needed.
• Knowledge of SAP preferred.
• 10% Travel required.

Experiences that will support your success

• Strong project management skills including excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Proficient in hi-speed packaging and process equipment application/design, process development
• Proficent in continuous improvement techniques, including but not limited to TPM, Lean, and Six Sigma.
• Must be able to work in and add value to a fast paced, high stress manufacturing environment
• Superb 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

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we’re proud to support our employees by providing comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k), and 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

The salary range for this role is $XXX - $XXX annually.