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We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead our Manteno, Illinois lean transformation with an uncompromising focus on eliminating all forms of waste while maximizing customer value. You will champion process optimization, foster a kaizen culture, and partner across departments to ensure every improvement directly enhances the customer experience. Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will align all continuous improvement efforts with our core mission: delivering greater value, faster, with zero waste. Requirements SCOPE OF JOB FUNCTION Eliminate Waste Relentlessly : Identify, prioritize, and eradicate the 8 wastes through value stream mapping, waste walks, and rapid improvement events; target non-value-added activities that do not contribute to customer satisfaction. Maximize Customer Value : Redesign processes to focus exclusively on what the customer values—lead time, quality, cost, flexibility, and experience; implement pull systems, flow optimization, and just-in-time principles to deliver faster and better. Lead High-Impact Projects : Design, execute, and sustain lean initiatives (e.g., 5S, SMED, TPM, Kanban, Six Sigma DMAIC) that directly translate to measurable customer benefits such as reduced lead times, improved quality, and lower costs. Team Development & Training : Design and deliver targeted training programs on waste elimination and value creation; build curricula that empower employees at all levels to see waste, stop waste, and create value daily. Performance Metrics & Reporting :
Collect and analyze real-time operational data
to quantify waste and value; develop customer-centric KPIs (e.g., First-Pass Yield, On-Time Delivery, Cost of Poor Quality) and present compelling dashboards and stories that link improvements to customer outcomes. Change Management : Secure buy-in by clearly articulating how every change eliminates waste and adds value for the customer; overcome resistance with evidence-based communication and visible wins. Cross-Functional Collaboration : Partner with product, sales, and customer service teams to embed the voice of the customer into every improvement initiative. Innovation & Benchmarking : Continuously challenge the status quo; adopt best-in-class practices that eliminate waste at the source and amplify customer value through digital tools, automation, or service design. Other duties as assigned. SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE Education : Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Operations Management, or related field; Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt preferred but not required. Experience : 5+ years leading lean transformations with proven, quantifiable results in waste reduction and customer value creation in a food or beverage environment. Skills : Deep expertise in all 8 wastes and value stream transformation. Advanced data collection and analysis to expose hidden waste and validate value. Mastery of data visualization and storytelling to connect improvements to customer impact. Proven ability to design and deliver training shifts mindsets from activity to value vs. waste. Exceptional influence and communication skills to rally teams around customer-first improvement. Results-driven with a track record of delivering hard savings and customer satisfaction gains DESIRED Knowledge of general manufacturing environment & practices.
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We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead our Manteno, Illinois lean transformation with an uncompromising focus on eliminating all forms of waste while maximizing customer value. You will champion process optimization, foster a kaizen culture, and partner across departments to ensure every improvement directly enhances the customer experience. Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will align all continuous improvement efforts with our core mission: delivering greater value, faster, with zero waste. Requirements SCOPE OF JOB FUNCTION Eliminate Waste Relentlessly : Identify, prioritize, and eradicate the 8 wastes through value stream mapping, waste walks, and rapid improvement events; target non-value-added activities that do not contribute to customer satisfaction. Maximize Customer Value : Redesign processes to focus exclusively on what the customer values—lead time, quality, cost, flexibility, and experience; implement pull systems, flow optimization, and just-in-time principles to deliver faster and better. Lead High-Impact Projects : Design, execute, and sustain lean initiatives (e.g., 5S, SMED, TPM, Kanban, Six Sigma DMAIC) that directly translate to measurable customer benefits such as reduced lead times, improved quality, and lower costs. Team Development & Training : Design and deliver targeted training programs on waste elimination and value creation; build curricula that empower employees at all levels to see waste, stop waste, and create value daily. Performance Metrics & Reporting :
Collect and analyze real-time operational data
to quantify waste and value; develop customer-centric KPIs (e.g., First-Pass Yield, On-Time Delivery, Cost of Poor Quality) and present compelling dashboards and stories that link improvements to customer outcomes. Change Management : Secure buy-in by clearly articulating how every change eliminates waste and adds value for the customer; overcome resistance with evidence-based communication and visible wins. Cross-Functional Collaboration : Partner with product, sales, and customer service teams to embed the voice of the customer into every improvement initiative. Innovation & Benchmarking : Continuously challenge the status quo; adopt best-in-class practices that eliminate waste at the source and amplify customer value through digital tools, automation, or service design. Other duties as assigned. SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE Education : Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Operations Management, or related field; Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt preferred but not required. Experience : 5+ years leading lean transformations with proven, quantifiable results in waste reduction and customer value creation in a food or beverage environment. Skills : Deep expertise in all 8 wastes and value stream transformation. Advanced data collection and analysis to expose hidden waste and validate value. Mastery of data visualization and storytelling to connect improvements to customer impact. Proven ability to design and deliver training shifts mindsets from activity to value vs. waste. Exceptional influence and communication skills to rally teams around customer-first improvement. Results-driven with a track record of delivering hard savings and customer satisfaction gains DESIRED Knowledge of general manufacturing environment & practices.
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