Continuous Improvement Specialist

About the role

Select Milk Producers is one of the nation's largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives, with 32 wholly owned subsidiaries, 8 processing plants, and 8 joint ventures including Continental Dairy Facilities, Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, Mill Haven Foods, Select Custom Solutions, GreenLink and Select Services. With over 800 employees, the Select Milk family of companies impacts all aspects of the dairy farm business and at the heart of our family of companies, is you.

"We strive to go above and beyond what's expected in providing for our families, leading our employees, caring for our land and animals, serving our customers, producing quality milk, and serving one another. This commitment is more than our business, it's in our culture and our character. We believe in being accountable, in doing what's right, in performing at our best, in setting a higher standard."

Select Milk Producers and its subsidiaries offer an attractive compensation and a best-in-class benefits package that includes but is not limited medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more that can be tailored for you and your family. Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) up to 6% company match, life and disability insurance, and paid holidays & vacation.

Position Summary

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist is responsible for leading and facilitating initiatives that drive operational excellence and efficiency across the facility by. This role requires a high-caliber individual with strong problem-solving abilities and a deep understanding of operational dynamics. The CI Specialist will apply practical improvement methodologies to optimize production, reduce waste and shrink, improve quality, and enhance overall performance.

A key aspect of this role is leading and coaching both Performance Improvement Teams (PITs) and Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA's), which consist of staff members attacking specific, focused improvement opportunities within the business. These teams ensure engagement and leverage employees who have the deepest knowledge of business operations. The CI Specialist will oversee multiple PITs and PDCA's running simultaneously across different focus areas.

Key Responsibilities

• CI Program Leadership: Serve as the primary leader for all onsite continuous improvement efforts, ensuring alignment with operational and financial goals.
• Strategic Execution: Develop, implement, and sustain CI initiatives that drive efficiency, improve financial performance, and support long-term operational success. Make good decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience and judgement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Finance, and other teams to identify and execute efficiency improvements.
• Performance Analytics: Analyze operational data, assess financial impacts, and use data-driven decision-making.
• Training & Development: Mentor and coach frontline employees, supervisors, and managers in CI methodologies to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Performance Improvement Teams (PITs): Actively lead, support, and coach multiple PITs on various improvement opportunities throughout the facility.
• Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA Team) Actively lead, support, and coach multiple PITs on various improvement opportunities throughout the facility.
• Project Management: Lead and manage CI projects from concept to completion, ensuring timely and effective execution.
• Problem-Solving: Utilize root cause analysis, process mapping, and other CI tools to diagnose issues and implement sustainable solutions.
• KPI Management: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of CI initiatives.
• Change Management: Champion a culture of continuous improvement, driving adoption and engagement across all levels of the facility.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in operations, manufacturing, or process improvement, preferably in dairy or food product industries.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field preferred. Equivalent experience considered.
• CI Expertise: Preferred experience in continuous improvement. Strong knowledge of, or willingness to relentlessly learn, CI methodologies and tools.
• Financial Acumen: Ability to understand financial impacts of operational changes and implement improvements that benefit financial performance.
• Leadership & Coaching: Proven ability to drive change, influence stakeholders, and develop others.
• Hands-On Approach: Willingness to work directly with frontline employees to implement changes.
• Project Management: Experience leading CI projects with measurable results. * Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to engage at all levels of the organization.