Continuous Improvement Manager at DEL Monte in Plover, WI

Job description

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is a global leader in the production, distribution, and marketing of fresh, value-added, and shelf-stable fruits and vegetables under our Fresh and Foods divisions. Our diverse product portfolio proudly bears the Del Monte® brand and also includes prepared fruits and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks, and desserts - available in over 80 countries worldwide. With operations spanning more than 35 countries, we’ve proudly been nourishing families for over 135 years. Benefits We Offer Include: Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance 401(k) with company match Employer-paid life & disability insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Paid Time Off (PTO) 7 Company Paid Holidays 24/7 Telemedicine & Employee Assistance Program Optional voluntary benefits (legal, accident, identity protection) Eligibility on the first of the month following your hire date Purpose of Position: Del Monte Foods is the Foods Division of Fresh Del Monte, a global grower, producer and marketer of fresh, value-added, and shelf-stable produce. Del Monte Foods has a powerful portfolio of brands, including the iconic Del Monte®, Contadina® and S&W®. We are currently seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager. The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives at the Plover facility. This position drives operational excellence through the implementation of lean manufacturing tools, waste reduction strategies, productivity improvements, and employee development. The Continuous Improvement Manager partners closely with plant leadership, operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, safety, and other functional teams to improve safety, quality, service, reliability, and cost performance. This role is expected to build a strong culture of continuous improvement while driving measurable improvements in OEE, downtime reduction, throughput, labor efficiency, and overall plant performance. Accountabilities: Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing Lead implementation and sustainment of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the Plover facility. Drive plant-wide efforts focused on safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, labor efficiency, downtime reduction, and cost savings. Facilitate Kaizen events, improvement workshops, and cross-functional problem-solving activities to improve operational performance. Support development and implementation of lean tools including 5S, Standard Work, Visual Controls, Root Cause Analysis, Value Stream Mapping, Pull Systems, SMED, TPM, and Autonomous Maintenance. Develop standard operating procedures, work instructions, visual management tools, and best practices to support sustainable improvements. Coordinate continuous improvement projects from concept through implementation and follow-up. Monitor progress of improvement projects and provide regular updates to plant leadership regarding results, barriers, and next steps. Facilitate best practice sharing across departments and help standardize successful processes throughout the facility. Support new equipment installations, line changes, plant layout changes, and capital projects by incorporating lean principles into project planning and execution. Serve as a key resource for change management initiatives and help employees understand the purpose, expectations, and benefits of improvement efforts. Operational Analysis and Project Support Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Safety, Warehouse, and HR teams to identify process gaps and improvement opportunities. Develop, track, and communicate key performance indicators related to OEE, downtime, throughput, labor utilization, waste, scrap, and cost savings. Analyze plant performance data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for sustainable improvement. Assist plant leadership in prioritizing projects and aligning improvement eff