CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence and optimizing processes within Prayon Inc.  This role involves developing and implementing continuous improvement programs and strategies, leading a cross-functional implementation team, and fostering and spreading a culture of continuous improvement.  The position focuses on enhancing productivity, quality, safety, and cost-efficiency in our operational activities.

Essential Responsibilities & Functions include the following, others may be assigned.

Strategic Planning:

Together with the plant manager and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members, develop, structure and implement a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy aligned with organizational goals.  Develop the true north for the organization aligned with the cooperate strategic goals and objectives.

Identify and prioritize long-term and short-term improvement opportunities.

Develop and standardize the use of strategic visualization tools and planning such as Hoshin-Kanri to communicate the plan and drive progress and action at every organizational level

Leadership and Team Management:

Main promoter of Standard Work and Implementer of systems associated with Continuous Improvement, Work Teams, portfolio of Kaizen projects, Yellow Belt, Green Belt and generation of projects New Way of Working to generate benefits.

Lead and mentor all relevant staff people in continuous improvement initiatives.

Provide direction, support, and professional development opportunities.

Implement a continuous improvement suggestion system to include associates in the continuous improvement process.  Provide public feedback as part of this suggestion process to encourage more involvement

Project Management:

Establish potential initiatives that help reduce the gaps between indicators and goals to obtain tangible results of high value for the business

Build and manage the project portfolio – including continuous improvement projects and local CAPEX portfolio

Oversee multiple process improvement projects, ensuring timely and budget-compliant completion.

Systems Process Analysis and Improvement:

Conduct high-level assessments of manufacturing and operational processes.

Carry out internal Campaigns or Initiatives that allow to reinforce the implementations of Continuous Improvement tools and methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen. The continuous improvement manager is Is ultimately responsible for the correct implementation of those tools and methodologies.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure effectiveness of improvements and validate those with relevant department (finances, controlling, operations, etc.)

Regularly report progress, results, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Maintain visualization and feedback boards as part of continuous improvement program

Change Management:

Drive cultural change towards continuous improvement.  Emphasize the importance of continuous improvement culture to employees.

Facilitate workshops, training sessions, continuous improvement events, and other activities to engage employees.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Collaborate with senior leaders and other stakeholders to gain buy-in for initiatives.

Communicate effectively to promote continuous improvement efforts.

Food Safety & Quality Standards/Requirements

The employee will comply with all relevant food safety and quality standards/requirements.

Supervisory Responsibilities & Functions

This role does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but requires strong collaboration and the ability to influence without formal authority.  The individual will partner with cross-functional teams to provide guidance, share expertise, mentor, and align efforts toward common goals.  Success in this role depends on strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders.

Minimum

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field.

Experience:  Proven experience in a continuous improvement role.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:  Certification in continuous improvement methodologies (e.g. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean master, comparable)

Skill Requirements:  Strong leadership and team management skills; Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities; Proficiency in process analysis tools and techniques; Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred

Education:  Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field.

Experience:  Extensive experience with a track record of successful project implementation.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:  Certifications in continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Black Belt).

Language Skills

Reading/comprehension, speaking and writing at required education equivalency level.  Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business correspondence, technical/product information, policies/procedures or government regulations.  Ability to complete written forms and write routine to complex procedures, reports and correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions in a group or individual setting.

Ability to speak conversational French is a plus.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent. 

Computer Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and other Office 365 applications.

Familiarity with AutoCAD or SAP software is considered a plus.  

Complexity

The work includes varied duties requiring many different and unrelated processes and methods to be applied to a broad range of activities and/or substantial depth of analysis within a particular area.  Decisions include areas of uncertainty in approach, methodology, interpretation, or evaluation resulting from such elements as continuing changes, technical developments, unknown phenomena or conflicting requirements.  The work requires originating new techniques, establishing criteria, or developing new information, and requires a strong results orientation and outstanding ability to establish priorities, communicate needs, negotiate collaboration among stakeholders, and execute project plans to timeline.

Physical Demands

The work requires both sedentary and limited physical exertion to include sitting; walking; standing; bending; traversing of stairs, carrying of light items such as papers, books or small parts; driving an automobile, forklift, etc. Work routinely requires speaking and hearing (expression or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words and perceiving sounds by ear).

Work Environment

The work environment requires normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, personal or commercial transportation methods.  Requires use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals, etc.  Generally, the work area is well lighted, heated and ventilated.  Also includes work that requires special safety precautions such as working around moving parts, carts or machines or with irritant chemicals.  Employee may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, coats, safety shoes, boots, goggles, gloves, safety glasses or shields.

Must be able to work more than eight hours per day or forty hours per week on any shift or travel as needed.  Must be available for call-in as needed to support 24-hour/7 day per week operational requirements.