Continuous Improvement Engineer

EMPLOYER: Clemens Food Group

TITLE:        Continuous Improvement Engineer - (Multiple Openings)

Duties:  Develop tools to analyze maximize capacity. Leverage capacity tools to facilitate decision making; identify, recommend and communicate potential solutions. Investigate capacity concerns related to increased sales. Capital justification, return on investment reviews for new processes or equipment. Drive improvement in VA and Fresh margins, - be able to identify inputs driving variances (Yield, Labor). Lead "Process Change" utilization. Make recommendations for portfolio optimization including a pipeline of projects. Support sales initiatives as engineer on new product develop teams. Review and approve area changes including product specification, equipment/process and new products. Lead cross  functional teams for timely resolution of tactical and strategical issues. Collaborate with Supply Chain team on implementing system improvements. Act as area technical resource to optimize and improve operations performance as related to our KPI’s and products. Apply advanced trouble shooting skills utilizing root cause analysis for quality, breakdowns, and process deviations. Implement methods for improving worker efficiency and reducing waste of materials and utilities including restructuring job duties, reorganizing workflow, relocating workstations and equipment, technology and purchase of equipment. Strong Communicator during change management. Identify and challenge Operations labor trends for opportunities for improvement i.e. Overtime leading to additional shifts or creative scheduling improvements. Establish relationships with key vendors to leverage and apply their key knowledge and expertise. Utilize lean manufacturing tools, SPC/Analytics, Kaizen Events, Line Balancing, value stream mapping to drive the development and implementation of cost and quality improvement projects for the plant. Six Sigma green belt certified (or similar). Provide CI tools training to operations supervisors. Perform standard audit for assigned process area on a yearly basis. Perform the following studies to develop standards for process changes, new opportunity or product specification changes: Time studies for labor standards; Yield and material standards; and Packaging Standard for film and ingredients. Create and maintain SOP's for IE functions. Perform indirect and PF&D labor analysis. Maintain central location of all IE related information pertaining to inputs of labor utilization. Participate in new item development process - ownership of costing development & minimum pricing expectations, spec optimization recommendations (i.e. trim levels, pump levels, packaging). Creation and maintenance of performance management tools (DSC, Hourly Production). Maintain standard crewing for operations. Staying current with IE best practices and recommend opportunities for implementation. Support safety performance. Participate in CFG sponsored personal development programs. Support companywide initiatives. Participate in the weekly activity tracking meeting. This role requires 15% domestic travel.

SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday

LOCATION: Clemens Food Group, 572 Newton Road, Coldwater, MI 49036

REQUIREMENTS:             

Main Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Agricultural Engineering or closely related field and two (2) years of experience as an Operational Excellence Manager, Production Supervisor, or related role where required experience gained.

Special Skills:  Also requires one (1) year of experience in the following:

• SAP proficiency.


• MS Suite proficiency.


• Lean Manufacturing principles (ex: Kaizen, Time Studies, RCA, A3).


• KPI Reporting.

CONTACT:  To apply, send resume to [email protected].  Please include job title, and location.