Continuous Improvement Manager

The Continuous Improvement Manager is a results-driven enterprise execution leader responsible for delivering financially validated, sustained operational improvements across multiple manufacturing sites. This role translates strategic CI priorities into measurable plant-level performance gains in safety, quality, delivery, labor productivity, and cost.

This is not a Lean Coordinator or workshop facilitator. This is an operator–architect hybrid who drives large-scale turnarounds, installs durable operating systems, and builds site teams into high-performing execution engines.

What You'll Do:

Enterprise Transformation

• Opportunity Identification: Diagnose site-level constraints; identify labor, yield, throughput, and cost inefficiencies across the network; quantify opportunity before committing resources
• Financial Validation: Confirm savings sizing with Finance prior to launch; own forecast vs. actual tracking aligned to the CI Savings Bank methodology; no soft savings, no unvalidated claims
• Execution & Deployment: Lead line balancing, staffing optimization, standard work, and takt alignment; replicate wins across sites — not one-off events
• Buy-In & Leadership Alignment: Secure Plant Manager and site leadership commitment before launch; hold structured weekly accountability reviews; escalate resistance early
• Sustainment & Closure: Validate post-implementation performance at 60–90 days; ensure results are durable before closing — no drift, no unfinished implementations

Core CI Skills - Required for Success in this Role

• Lead and facilitate CI initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement across multiple sites.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve operational issues using structured problem-solving methodologies
• Apply and coach teams on Lean and CI tools including: Fishbone Diagrams, 5-Why Analysis, Line Balancing, Takt Time Analysis, Standard Work, Root Cause Analysis
• Plan, lead, and execute multi-day Kaizen events and cross-functional rapid improvement workshops.
• Partner with site leadership to develop and execute enterprise-wide and site-level improvement roadmaps.

Best-in-Class Impact Abilities (Proven Economic Drivers)

• Installs leader standard work and daily management routines so results do not erode after events — sustains gains through operating systems, not individual heroics
• Applies PDCA/scientific thinking to drive hypothesis-based testing — eliminates jump-to-solution culture and ensures every change is measurable
• Builds a repeatable Kaizen engine that makes improvement a daily operating rhythm, not a side initiative
• Financial ownership discipline: Validates all savings with Finance, tracks baseline-to-target performance, and ensures zero soft claims across the portfolio
• Cross-site replication mindset: Systematically documents and deploys successful implementations so every win scales across the network — multiplying impact without multiplying effort
• Develops site supervisors and leads to own CI execution daily — building organizational capability and removing dependency on the CI function

Leadership Alignment & Accountability

• Model a high-accountability, floor-first performance culture across all sites
• Communicate savings performance and pipeline status directly to senior leadership
• Escalate risks, resource gaps, and organizational resistance early and clearly
• Build site CI capability so improvement continues between enterprise deployments

What you'll bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field. MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of CI / Operational Excellence leadership in manufacturing. Food manufacturing / fresh or cold-chain production experience preferred.
• Demonstrated history of savings validated by Finance — not self-reported
• Proven experience leading multi-site improvement initiatives, Experience operating within a formal CI operating system (daily management + leader standard work + Kaizen cadence) an asset.
• Strong financial acumen — can connect operational improvements to P&L impact
• Willingness to travel
• Comfortable confronting underperformance and driving accountability
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred
• Bilingual (English / Spanish)
• Familiarity with Power BI, ERP systems, and labor analytics platforms an asset.

Join the Fresh Revolution with F&S Fresh Foods!

Headquartered in Vineland, NJ, F&S Fresh Foods is leading the way in fresh-cut fruit, vegetables, and meal solutions distribution. With the recent acquisition of five additional state-of-the-art facilities strategically located across the U.S., we now deliver to customers across the United States and Canada —every single day!

For over 40 years, we’ve been redefining production and safety processes, building strong partnerships, and creating endless possibilities for our diverse customers—from restaurants and supermarket prepared food operations to convenience store chains and beyond. At F&S, we are fueling families with nutrition, innovation, and convenience, turning meals into memorable moments. By combining cutting-edge technology, deep-rooted customer relationships, and operational excellence, we are shaping the future of fresh—from farm to family.

We’re not just about food; we’re about people. Recognized as a Great Place to Work for three consecutive years, our team of 2,100 full-time employees drives our culture forward by living our values every day. If you’re ready to be part of a company that values innovation, excellence, and community impact, join us as we embrace our next exciting chapter of growth. Together, we’re planting the seeds of progress and nourishing a fresh, healthy future for everyone!

Physical Demands: This role operates in a professional office environment with periodic travel to manufacturing sites and is primarily sedentary, involving extended computer use and communication across locations; the individual must be able to navigate office and production settings and meet essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Our Values: As we continue to grow and provide leading edge products to our customers, we understand hiring the right people and treating them well is critical to our success. Everything we do starts with our values. These are the beliefs that we share and that strengthen our team. Our values shape our thoughts and actions every day. At F&S its Always FRESH and Always FUN!

Find the most positive path.

Respond swiftly, accurately, and nimbly.

Earn trust by sharing, helping, and keeping promises.

Serve up safety.

Have each other’s backs.

F&S Offers: We are proud to provide a comprehensive benefits program focused on your total well-being.

• Competitive compensation package
• A robust health and welfare benefits package that includes Life, Health, Dental, Vision
• The opportunity to plan for the future with a strong 401(K) including company match
• Time to recharge with Paid Time Off annually + Paid Holidays
• Career Advancement opportunities and Tuition Assistance to help you achieve your goals and continue your career growth.

F&S is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Join us in shaping the future of F&S Fresh Foods!