Continuous Improvement Manager

TITLE: Continuous Improvement Manager

LOCATION: Cedar Rapids, IA

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible to lead Continuous Improvement by initiating and sustaining Lean Six Sigma manufacturing methodologies, as well as fully implementing all the elements of the Ingredion Lean-based management system. This role will develop, implement, and sustain Continuous Improvement projects by supporting key Lean Six Sigma elements in all aspects of the plant.

Core Responsibilities:

• Accountable for establishing, or sustaining, a Continuous Improvement process, using Lean Six Sigma techniques, to support operational objectives through improved processes.
• Support site leadership, and other key personnel, on Lean Management Principles, concepts, and Lean Transformational Processes. Help develop people capable of driving Lean in their areas.
• Deliver an ambitious improvement plan to the plant manager as a basis for goal setting to department managers, and deliver substantial savings per year, typically 2% of manufacturing spend.
• Assist leadership in establishing baseline and target metrics for key business/functional processes.
• Identify areas of opportunity and initiate projects with achievable goals. Support operations through facilitation and implementation of Continuous Improvement projects, sustaining, improving, and streamlining overall processes within the organization.
• Work with Belts, Lean Specialists and Continuous Improvement Teams to understand and build organizational strengths.
• Identify improvement margin (safety, quality, service, cost reduction). Analyze, recommend, and implement process improvements to drive organizational effectiveness.
• Deliver training material on Lean Six Sigma tools to train key change agents on new methodologies. Acts as a subject matter expert for improvement methodologies.
• Deliver training for root cause analysis that utilizes team problem solving approach to resolve issues identified in design or manufacturing and supports execution of corrective actions.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Lean projects, and other CI activities.
• Leverage analytical skills to drive strategy through goal setting, priority identification, idea generation, and problem solving.
• Support department management in identification of key success drivers and execution of improvement objectives.
• Prepare and facilitate idea generation workshops with operators and management.
• Coach local teams in identification of opportunities and execution of projects according to a defined methodology.
• Support employee training in the proper application of Continuous Improvement concepts. Coach and mentor candidates to ensure successful completion of projects and receipt of certification.
• Provide ongoing mentorship to certified Belts to ensure growth of skill sets, sustained project delivery, and leverage of successes.
• Collaborate across business and functional units in the region to ensure alignment of improvement initiative.

The Continuous Improvement Manager is well-suited for you if you have:

• Demonstrated leadership experience and the ability to concisely communicate objectives and results to reach targeted goals.
• Ability to work as part of a team with strong leadership, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing several projects / initiatives at one time that require advanced problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, strong work ethic, attention to detail and organizational / multi-tasking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others without direct line of authority.

Qualified candidates will have:

• Prepare and facilitate idea generation workshops with operators and management.
• Coach local teams in identification of opportunities and execution of projects according to a defined methodology.
• Experience leading Lean Transformation activities.
• Experience leading Root Cause Analysis
• Ability to coach and mentor candidates to ensure successful completion of projects and receipt of certification.
• Provide ongoing mentorship to certified Belts to ensure growth of skill sets, sustained project delivery, and leverage of successes.
• Collaborate across business and functional units in the region to ensure alignment of improvement initiative.
• Certified as a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt or Lean Master with more than three years of experience in this role in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Degree in engineering, business, technology, or another technical field
• Willing to travel up to 10%
• Willing to support other Ingredion locations when needed.
• Knowledge of Corn Wet Milling or another unit-based operations a plus.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Ingredion provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If you need an accommodation, please inform us.

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We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability-mental or physical-marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law ("protected classifications"). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Relocation Available:

Yes, Within Region