Continuous Improvement Leader

For our future state-of-the art 600+ person Lubbock, TX cheese and whey manufacturing facility, Leprino is seeking a Conituous Improvement Process Leader to continue moving our organization to even larger levels of innovation, technological advancement, process improvement, and production efficiencies. We take pride in our vision to be "world's best", it's why we work harder, invest more, and continually innovate.

The Continuous Improvement Process Leader is responsible for partnering with plant functions to identify and execute performance improvement projects that target production opportunities with a high-level impact on financial performance, as well as engineering improvements that address reliability and efficiency. This position advises leadership regarding project prioritization, project selection, project reviews, and benefits tracking. This position will assist teams in deploying tools, technology, policies, and processes to improve operational effectiveness with efficiency and customer satisfaction (both internal and external). In addition, the role is responsible for training, coaching, and counseling the local CI team members in best practices and individual development.

• Responsible for management of employees and/or project performance. Regularly monitors key performance indicator of team and project deliverables.
• Responsible for performance management (performance reviews) of direct reports.
• Demonstrates Leprino Food Company’s core values and ensures adherence to company policies.
• Organizes, leads, and facilitates cross-functional project teams.
• Analyzes activities between processes to determine gaps in hand-offs. Partners with internal teams to identify and roadmap best solution.
• Partners with plant operators to identify and understand current processes and workflows and identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Reviews training documentation for completion and identifies gaps. Provides support in updating documentation and training materials.
• Gathers business requirements and identifies how/where process changes will fit. Defines options to meet needs. Supports the new definition adoption of new processes.
• Develops, implements, and sustains process improvements to reduce production costs and increase yields.
• Tracks metrics that provide data for process measurement and identifies indications for future improvement opportunities.
• Plans, performs, and implements process improvement initiatives. Diagrams and evaluates existing processes.
• Leads process improvement initiatives through the disciplined use of measurements, accountability, analysis, and discussion of process alternatives to arrive at best practices.
• Brings expertise or identifies SMES in support of multi-functional efforts in process improvements.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:

• College degree in Accounting, Engineering, or Operations Management or related field, or similar work experience in related industry, or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing
• 1+ years of experience leading, mentoring, and/or delegating work to others
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, TQM, and Toyota Production Systems
• Experienced in defining and implementing key business initiatives and processes
• Experience in balancing key initiatives with limited resources. Understands priorities and ability to break down complex project items for team to execute

Preferred Qualifications & Experience:

• Knowledge and experience working within CI methodologies in the following areas: Kaizen, Standard Work, 5s Program, Process Mapping, Cause Mapping, and Project Management
• Knowledgeable in systems (SAP, MES, BI)
• Dairy/Cheese manufacturing experience

Why work at Leprino Foods? Learn more at www.leprinofoods.com.
Leprino Foods Company is an equal opportunity employer who supports a drug-free workplace. EOE/AA
Leprino Foods requires all individuals to wear the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as required by the role and location
Leprino Foods Company utilizes the services of Psychemedics to perform our Hair Follicle Drug Testing. Additional information about this process can be obtained at www.psychemedics.com.
Leprino Foods Company supports a drug-free workplace and is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/Disability/Veteran

OFFERING YOU IN RETURN:
A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino Foods could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

OUR STORY:
Leprino Foods’ history dates back over 70 years, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino Foods is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by Jim and the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” To help us achieve that bold vision, we’re looking for our secret ingredient: You. A motivated team member who is the best at what you do. Three passionate individuals in a small corner grocery store in the early 1950s have now grown to almost 5,000 employees throughout 16 global locations. Will you join us on our journey?