Director, Continuous Improvement

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million+ Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

Position Summary/Objective:   

• A Director of Continuous Improvement drives teams across the supply chain to use quality, lean, six sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies across the supply chain, including overseeing the development, planning, and execution of strategies and metrics to track improvements. A Continuous Improvement Director leads the company initiatives to save costs, eliminate waste, improve customer satisfaction, reduce product defects and increase market share using a variety of continuous improvement technologies. This role is responsible for managing and facilitating all Continuous Improvement initiatives and strategy for the manufacturing organization. The Director will work cross-functionally with other departments to align processes, systems, and resources for maximum efficiency and productivity. 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Managing and facilitating all Continuous Improvement initiatives and strategy 

• Driving a continuous improvement culture within the organization by prioritizing opportunities and execution of a Lean transformation strategy and metrics 

• Using metrics to provide support to process owners in linking projects to strategic operational objectives 

• Driving plant cost savings initiatives 

• Assisting teams in developing Lean roadmaps to use in the deployment of strategic objectives 

• Ensuring successful definition and execution of large, cross-functional improvement initiatives tied to annual strategic priorities 

• Identifying best practices within and outside the company and serving as a channel for best-practice sharing and adoption across business units 

• Providing guidance for projects and kaizen events 

• Managing and facilitating continuous improvement projects and kaizen events to improve productivity and accelerate growth 

• Challenging organizational leaders when necessary to create an action-based culture of continuous improvement and increase CI and Lean-oriented thinking throughout the organization 

• Working with the finance department to evaluate project savings estimates, validate reported CI benefits, and ensure accurate accounting of CI productivity 

• Training, mentoring, and guiding team members in new processes 

 

Education & Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science or related field.  

• Black Belt level certification in either Lean or Six Sigma or a demonstrated level of mastery in another continuous improvement methodology such as TPM. 

• Proven experience as a Continuous Improvement Director or similar role. 

• 10+ years experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, food and CPG industries preferred 

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams. 

• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities 

• Demonstrates HUMILITY throughout the company daily  

Key Performance Indicators: 

• Kg/DLH 

• OEE 

• # of Trained Black Belt Team members 

• # Green Belt Team members 

Reporting Relationships 

• Reports to the VP Manufacturing 

• Process Engineers report to this role 

 

What we expect:

• Values-led: You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life’s too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We’re still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we’re okay with that, as long as we’re staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don’t be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can’t always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don’t cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren’t obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We’re a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don’t brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn’t one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait! There’s more!

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!
• RRSP matching or IRA matching for an empowered financial journey
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button!

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.