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Continuous Improvement Manager

Coopersville, Michigan, United States

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

Job purpose:  

The Manager of Continuous Improvement plays a critical role in the development and implementation of the Continuous Improvement / Operational Excellence framework within fairlife® specific sites. This role focuses on improving safety, quality, productivity, and overall financial performance through training, coaching, and application of Lean / Op-Ex Tools and techniques. The position also ensures alignment with organizational goals while serving as a key change agent for operational transformation and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will bring extensive hands-on experience with Lean tools and principles and the ability to influence cultural change and continuous improvement within the organization through personal leadership and collaboration.  

Responsibilities:  

  • Drive the implementation of the Operational Excellence framework and roadmap across fairlife® to achieve measurable performance improvements.  
  • Collaborate with leadership teams to implement lean tools and principles within the Operational Excellence framework.  Train employees on the Operational Excellence framework and application of Lean tools.  
  • Provide leadership, training, and mentoring for employees at all organizational levels on the principles and application of Lean / Continuous Improvement / Operational Excellence.  
  • Manage and lead local Continuous Improvement team providing coaching, guidance, and support to ensure the successful execution of initiatives.  
  • Foster the professional growth of team members through development plans, training, and regular performance feedback.  
  • Drive cultural change and discipline to sustain a successful continuous improvement focused environment.  
  • Develop and deliver tailored training programs for employees at all organizational levels, ensuring multi-level engagement.  
  • Define and track metrics for goal achievement, identifying gaps and proposing solutions to improve outcomes.  
  • Plan and assist in executing Problem Solving tools and Kaizen events that deliver significant and quantifiable process improvements.  
  • Present key performance insights and recommendations to stakeholders to facilitate decision-making.  
  • Manage a robust process for selecting, scoping, and completing focus improvement initiatives.  
  • Manage the Op-Ex Scorecard and develop strategic Continuous Improvement (CI)/Kaizen roadmaps that align with company goals and objectives.  
  • Work with finance teams to track and present financial outcomes, ensuring Operational Excellence initiatives deliver measurable ROI (Return on Investment).  
  • Provide ongoing coaching and support for Operational Excellence deployment in cross-functional teams.  
  • Advocate for Operational Excellence branding within fairlife® and across sites to foster alignment and engagement.  

 

Skills/qualifications required:  

  • Strong expertise in lean principles and tools including the application of daily management, tier meetings cascade, problem solving, standard work, single minute exchange of die (SMED), 6S programs, etc. 
  • Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience overseeing a team to achieve organizational objectives.  
  • Strong analytical skills and process-driven focus.  
  • Strong communication, presentation skills both verbal/written, and coaching abilities.  
  • Excellent organizational, time management, and project management skills  
  • Demonstrated ability to create strong working relationships and lead the work of others.  
  • Ability to gather and analyze data and draw logical conclusions.  
  • Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.  
  • Demonstrated ability to build and manage high-performing teams.  
  • Experience in setting clear goals and expectations for direct reports.  
  • Strong conflict resolution and decision-making skills.  
  • Proven ability to foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within a team setting.  

 

Experience:  

  • Bachelor’s Degree required in engineering, business, or technical discipline from an accredited college or university.  
  • 5 - 10 years of proven project management and process improvement skills including strong knowledge of root cause analysis, Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, certifications a plus.  
  • Experience in process improvement implementation  
  • Proven ability in strategy development, planning, and budgeting.  
  • Proficient in MS Office products (Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio)  
  • Proficient in basic data analysis with PowerBI, Tableau, or equivalent ✓ Experience training others in the use of Lean and/or Six Sigma tools, and experience with lean approaches to improvement.  

 

Working conditions and physical requirements:  

  • 8-10 hours sitting/standing/walking.  
  • Ability to lift to 50 lbs.  
  • Reaching/bending as needed  
  • Exposure to hazards is minimal.  

 

Food safety requirements:  

  • Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety. Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.  
  • Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.  
  • Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.  
  • Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.  
  • Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming products in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected.  
  • In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required.  

 

position location: 100% on-site in Coopersville, MI (Not a remote position) 

Reports to: Director of Continuous improvement  

travel requirements: 10% - 25% as needed  

exempt/nonexempt: Exempt 

*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Base pay range:

$120,000 - $130,000 USD

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email careers@fairlife.com.


For Recruitment Agencies

At fairlife, we manage the majority of our hiring internally through our dedicated Talent Acquisition team, which is actively engaged in direct candidate sourcing. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach by our team.

As our recruitment is primarily handled in-house, we work only occasionally with external agencies, and only those on our existing, pre-approved vendor list. At this time, we are not reviewing or expanding that list.

Unsolicited resumes or submissions from external agencies not authorized by our Talent Acquisition team will be considered direct candidate applications. As such, fairlife will not assume responsibility for any placement fees associated with these submissions.


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