Judge Direct Placement is seeking a highly motivated and results-oriented Continuous Improvement Engineer to drive operational excellence within our clients food and beverage manufacturing facilities.
This role will be responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, improve quality, and optimize overall performance in both our processing and packaging operations.
Responsibilities:
Lead and facilitate continuous improvement projects utilizing methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and other problem-solving techniques.
Identify opportunities for improvement through data analysis, process observation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams in both processing and packaging areas.
Develop and implement standardized work procedures, visual management tools, and other systems to sustain improvements.
Conduct process mapping, value stream analysis, and root cause analysis to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
Collaborate with operations, quality, maintenance, and other departments to implement and validate improvement initiatives.
Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of improvement projects and monitor ongoing performance.
Provide training and coaching to employees on continuous improvement methodologies and tools.
Support the development and implementation of a continuous improvement culture throughout the organization.
Document project progress, findings, and recommendations, and communicate effectively to stakeholders at all levels.
Ensure compliance with all food safety and quality standards during the implementation of improvement initiatives.
Stay current with industry best practices and emerging technologies in continuous improvement within the food and beverage sector.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial, Chemical, Mechanical, or related field) or equivalent experience.
2-7 years of experience in a continuous improvement role within a manufacturing environment (food and beverage industry preferred).
Demonstrated experience in applying Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies (certification preferred).
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
Proficiency in process mapping, value stream analysis, and root cause analysis techniques.
Experience with data analysis tools and software (e.g., Excel, statistical software).
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and principles.
Knowledge of food safety regulations and quality standards is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications:
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification highly desired.
Experience implementing continuous improvement in both or either processing and packaging environments within the food and beverage industry.