Urban Farmer LLC
Job Description
Job Description
JOB SUMMARY: The Manager of Continuous Improvement is responsible for supporting and driving improvement initiatives at the plant/department level. This role focuses on analyzing processes, identifying opportunities, and leading projects that improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance overall productivity. The Manager partners closely with operations teams, provides hands-on support, and helps build a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Process Improvement & Operational Excellence Conduct value stream mapping, time studies, and root cause analysis to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in production, warehouse, and support areas. Implement Lean tools (5S, Kaizen, Standard Work, SMED, Kanban, Visual Management) to drive measurable improvements. Support daily Gemba walks and collaborate with supervisors to address production floor issues in real-time. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance with food safety and quality requirements. Project Leadership & Execution Lead small-to-medium scale projects that improve throughput, reduce downtime, or enhance resource utilization. Coordinate cross-functional project teams, ensuring timelines, milestones, and deliverables are met. Prepare project charters, cost-benefit analyses, and post-project evaluations to track ROI. Facilitate Kaizen events and rapid-improvement workshops that engage employees in solution building. Data Analysis & Reporting Gather and analyze data on production output, scrap, downtime, and labor utilization. Develop dashboards and reports to communicate progress on key metrics to plant leadership. Monitor KPIs and ensure corrective actions are implemented when performance lags. Track annual savings, efficiency gains, and improvement targets to support budget objectives. Training & Team Development Provide training to supervisors, leads, and operators on Lean and problem-solving tools. Mentor frontline leaders to identify improvement opportunities within their areas. Support onboarding of new hires by integrating continuous improvement practices into orientation. Foster a culture where employees are encouraged to submit improvement ideas and participate in solutions. Change Management & Culture Building Act as a change agent, helping employees adapt to new processes and systems. Communicate the “why” behind improvement initiatives to build buy-in across teams. Collaborate with HR and leadership on employee engagement programs that reinforce CI principles. Recognize and celebrate successful improvement initiatives to sustain momentum. Cost & Waste Reduction Identify opportunities to reduce overtime, scrap, rework, and material waste. Implement energy-saving initiatives and sustainability-focused improvements. Partner with maintenance and engineering to reduce unplanned downtime through preventive strategies. Compliance & Safety Ensure all CI initiatives comply with OSHA, food safety, and quality standards. Work with Safety teams to design improvements that reduce workplace hazards. Maintain proper documentation for audits, certifications, and customer requirements.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field (or equivalent work experience). 3–5 years of experience in process improvement, manufacturing, or operations roles. Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to use data to drive decisions. Effective communication skills with ability to lead teams and influence at all levels. Certification in Lean or Six Sigma (Green Belt preferred). Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data analysis/project management tools.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to occasionally lift, carry, or move objects up to 50 pounds. Frequent standing, walking, and time spent on the production floor. Comfort working in a manufacturing environment with noise, dust, and varying temperatures.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Primarily office-based with frequent presence on the production floor to support projects, training, and problem-solving activities.
Job Description
JOB SUMMARY: The Manager of Continuous Improvement is responsible for supporting and driving improvement initiatives at the plant/department level. This role focuses on analyzing processes, identifying opportunities, and leading projects that improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance overall productivity. The Manager partners closely with operations teams, provides hands-on support, and helps build a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Process Improvement & Operational Excellence Conduct value stream mapping, time studies, and root cause analysis to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in production, warehouse, and support areas. Implement Lean tools (5S, Kaizen, Standard Work, SMED, Kanban, Visual Management) to drive measurable improvements. Support daily Gemba walks and collaborate with supervisors to address production floor issues in real-time. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance with food safety and quality requirements. Project Leadership & Execution Lead small-to-medium scale projects that improve throughput, reduce downtime, or enhance resource utilization. Coordinate cross-functional project teams, ensuring timelines, milestones, and deliverables are met. Prepare project charters, cost-benefit analyses, and post-project evaluations to track ROI. Facilitate Kaizen events and rapid-improvement workshops that engage employees in solution building. Data Analysis & Reporting Gather and analyze data on production output, scrap, downtime, and labor utilization. Develop dashboards and reports to communicate progress on key metrics to plant leadership. Monitor KPIs and ensure corrective actions are implemented when performance lags. Track annual savings, efficiency gains, and improvement targets to support budget objectives. Training & Team Development Provide training to supervisors, leads, and operators on Lean and problem-solving tools. Mentor frontline leaders to identify improvement opportunities within their areas. Support onboarding of new hires by integrating continuous improvement practices into orientation. Foster a culture where employees are encouraged to submit improvement ideas and participate in solutions. Change Management & Culture Building Act as a change agent, helping employees adapt to new processes and systems. Communicate the “why” behind improvement initiatives to build buy-in across teams. Collaborate with HR and leadership on employee engagement programs that reinforce CI principles. Recognize and celebrate successful improvement initiatives to sustain momentum. Cost & Waste Reduction Identify opportunities to reduce overtime, scrap, rework, and material waste. Implement energy-saving initiatives and sustainability-focused improvements. Partner with maintenance and engineering to reduce unplanned downtime through preventive strategies. Compliance & Safety Ensure all CI initiatives comply with OSHA, food safety, and quality standards. Work with Safety teams to design improvements that reduce workplace hazards. Maintain proper documentation for audits, certifications, and customer requirements.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field (or equivalent work experience). 3–5 years of experience in process improvement, manufacturing, or operations roles. Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to use data to drive decisions. Effective communication skills with ability to lead teams and influence at all levels. Certification in Lean or Six Sigma (Green Belt preferred). Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data analysis/project management tools.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to occasionally lift, carry, or move objects up to 50 pounds. Frequent standing, walking, and time spent on the production floor. Comfort working in a manufacturing environment with noise, dust, and varying temperatures.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Primarily office-based with frequent presence on the production floor to support projects, training, and problem-solving activities.