Continuous Improvement Manager

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands likeLa Brea Bakery,Otis Spunkmeyer, andOakrun Farm Bakery. With 13 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers' expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

As a Continuous Improvement Manager, you will spearhead the Lean Transformation Plan, collaborating closely with the Bakery Director and corporate leadership. Your role involves leading Lean projects, ensuring the availability and effective use of CI tools and training, and developing communication strategies to promote continuous improvement. You will coach teams to enhance safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory, conduct root-cause analyses, and facilitate workshops to eliminate waste and improve performance.

Responsibilities:

• This position will lead the plant leadership team in developing and building the pillars for the plant's overall Lean Transformation Plan in alignment with the Bakery director and corporate
• This position will lead Lean projects for improvement results that can be leveraged across plants, functions, and product lines.
• Ensures that Lean/CI training, tools, best practices, and resources are available to employees at all levels and are being utilized appropriately and effectively.
• Develops and executes a communication plan to support the rollout and education on continuous improvement to the facility.
• Lead or coach-focused improvement activities and teams to improve results of safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory and conduct root-cause analysis and coaching to resolve production issues.
• Coach and teach the daily management process to salary & hourly alike as well as work and coach on improving machine performance and workflow.
• Establish current & future state value stream maps by value stream and establish Vale Stream Matrix and lead all Kaizen events & activities.
• Analyze and improve work and measure performance.
• Coach the process of developing and deploying effective standard work practices across the plant and also share and reapply proven methods from other locations as appropriate.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate various CI-related workshops and training events.
• Teach the concepts and coach the plant personnel to see and eliminate waste.
• Works with the Bakery Director and plant leadership in analyzing key performance indicators to make the plant better measure, visualize, analyze, improve, report, and implement CI's based upon key performance indicators.
• Leads execution & commissioning of capital projects to achieve a return on investment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) or equivalent; or minimum 5 years of experience in leading Lean Transformations in manufacturing operations
• Continuous Improvement experience; TPM, and Lean Six-Sigma Black Belt Certification preferred.
• Continuous improvement project experience, training and development, TPM, 6's, and Lean Six-Sigma.
• Experience in leading Lean Transformations in manufacturing operations, educating others on Lean principles, and deployment planning.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills up and down the organizational hierarchy including corporate offices.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, presentation, and people skills.

• Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness with the ability to improve and promote quality.

• Bilingual English / Spanish preferred

Benefits Designed with You in Mind

At Aspire Bakeries, we're committed to supporting your well-being, professional growth, and financial stability. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

Health & Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company-paid life insurance
• Optional voluntary benefits

Work-Life Balance:

• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off and holidays

Financial Security:

• Competitive 401(k) plan with a 100% vested company match
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage

Continuous Growth:

• Tuition reimbursement program
• Flexible Spending:
• HSA and FSA options

Performance-Based Rewards:

We value your hard work and dedication. That's why we offer performance-driven incentive programs tailored to your role:

• Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP): Recognizing individual and team achievements.
• Sales Incentive Plan (SIP): Rewarding excellence in sales performance.
• Bakery Incentive Plan (BIP): Focused on achieving bakery-specific performance goals.

At Aspire Bakeries, we believe that when you succeed, we all succeed. Join us and experience benefits that truly work as hard as you do!

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.