Job Description

• A CI Engineer, also known as a Continuous Improvement Engineer, is responsible for identifying and implementing process improvements. This employee will analyze current operations, streamline production, reduce waste, and increase efficiency, aiming to improve the overall quality of products or services while minimizing costs. This employee will design, plan and direct process improvement projects including the installation and utilization of process improvement software and reporting.

Salary: $65,000 - $80,000

Job Duties:

• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance metrics to measure progress and drive continuous improvement.
• Create and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions to promote consistent practices.
• Directly support the Environmental, Health and Safety facility to ensure and facilitate compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and company EHS rules and regulations.
• Provide a strong EHS floor presence in production, maintenance and material handling areas of both plants.
• Review safety issues and incidents and work with plant leadership and employees to develop plans for resolution.
• Plan and direct process improvement projects. Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner by gathering and analyzing information skillfully. Lead group problem solving situations.
• Conduct regular assessments of Lean initiatives to measure success, identify areas for refinement, and ensure scalability of improvements.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by providing coaching, feedback, and encouragement to employees.
• Partner with leadership to ensure the integration of Lean principles into the organization's strategic planning and decision-making.
• Research systems and processes and identifies and develops analysis and recommendations to implement tools, processes, and infrastructures to achieve best practices and optimize efficiencies.
• Assist in developing capital projects to improve efficiency as issues are identified.
• Work with management on project planning, involving business growth, meeting new customer specifications, innovation, quality and safety improvement.
• Closely manage project budgets to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Communicate professionally with all staff to share and develop technical knowledge.
• Maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers to evaluate material, software, program and equipment selections.
• Trouble shoot equipment and controls systems.
• Understand and comply with all Quality Assurance policies. Immediately report and take action on any potential food safety issues.
• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Other duties as assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

Qualifications

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrated proficiency in Windows, MS Office Suite including; Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook, internet/intranet and other organizational specific software.
• Professional communication skills for both internal and external customers, coworkers, team members and consultants.
• Ability to plan, initiate, direct and carry out short and long-term programs.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others without direct, hierarchical control.
• Ability to define problems, collect and document data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Possess traits of honesty, integrity, creativity and flexibility.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the products manufactured and the processes involved.
• Basic understanding of equipment operations and minor troubleshooting ability.
• Must be able to demonstrate an ability and willingness to communicate effectively in order to maintain high levels of confidentiality, safety, health, quality and efficiency.
• Ability to read and comprehend standard operating procedures and company quidelines in order to maintain regulatory compliance.
• Ability to understand daily production needs.
• Demonstrated strong teamwork skills, with the ability to lead, participate, and/or work directly with cross-functional teams and/or individuals.
• Strong presence with the ability to interact with Senior Leadership.
• Ability to perform at a high level in a fast-paced environment with the ability to adapt to a continually changing environment.
• Detail oriented, be quality minded.
• Experience with developing and monitoring production strategies and performance metrics.
• Ability to work any shift, nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field required.
• 3 years of CI related experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment is preferred
• A well-rounded knowledge of continuous improvement tools and regulations is preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Office – Work is performed in a general office environment with low to moderate noise exposure. May on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; talk or hear; taste or smell. The majority of the time is spent seated at a work station with access to telephone, computer, printer, files, and reference materials. Requires frequent verbal communication either in person, by telephone or by use of online interactive communication, to interact with vendors, suppliers, and consultants. Requires frequent written communication by requiring frequent typing and writing. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Additional Information

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Office - This job operates in a professional office environment. Employees will work face-to-face with others on a daily basis. Some may share office space. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is rarely exposed to outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually low. May on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment. The employee may be exposed to very low levels of ammonia.

Manufacturing - Employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock, wet work conditions, fumes or airborne particles. Employee is occasionally exposed to warm conditions with regular exposure to temperature conditions in excess of 100*F or cold temperatures when working in cold storage areas. The employee is regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. Employee is regularly exposed to chemicals during sanitation processes. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally at a high level. The employee is not routinely exposed to weather conditions. The employee may be exposed to very low levels of ammonia.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Personal protective equipment is required depending on the job being performed, including protective eye wear, or face shields, hearing protection, hair and beard nets, uniforms and footwear. Additional equipment is required when working with chemicals, such as rubber gloves and use of chemical proof aprons as appropriate for the job being performed.