Continuous Improvement Specialist - 8th Ave Food & Provisions

8th Avenue Food & Provisions is a growing organization made up of businesses that produce and sell quality products including pasta, peanut butter, granola, and fruit and nut trail mixes to retail, foodservice and ingredient customers. The company was formed in October 2018 through a combination of Post Holdings’ private brands businesses and is owned by Post Holdings and funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a private equity firm.

About 8th Avenue:

8th Avenue is a leading, private brand-centric consumer products holding company, manufacturing and selling private brand food products primarily to retail, foodservice, and ingredient customers. 8th Avenue Food & Provisions was formed in October 2018 through a combination of Post Holdings’ private brands businesses. The company is owned by Post Holdings and funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a private equity firm.

Position Summary:

As a key member of Plant Management Team, the Continuous Improvement Specialist will be responsible for driving the culture of sustainable continuous improvement, operational excellence and delivering business expectations through execution of designed change programs and processes as established by leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under direction from Plant Manager and the management team, and in conjunction with operational excellence leader:

• Apply and execute foundational operational processes – 5s, Performance Control System, Master Plans (to be created/designed by leadership).
• Execute on our problem-solving framework and emphasize a problem-solving culture at the Plant.
• Implement a visual management system across production, warehouse and other departments.
• Work with functional leaders in creation of key SOPs / standard work
• Leader standard work for front-line management
• CILT/Centerlines for key assets
• Short Interval Control
• Establish and execute a comprehensive training program for hourly employees across production, warehouse, and quality functions
• Work with plant leadership to establish and execute a waste execution program
• Identify and execute cost control initiatives.
• Identify and execute on general plant improvements to support operational excellence
• Establish lean flow with key processes in production, packaging and warehouse
• Work with production manager to improve line efficiencies through execution of relevance projects and create a sustainable model
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Required:

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university preferred but not required.
• Minimum 3-5 years of work experience in a Continuous Improvement/Training function or similar (i.e. Lean, Six Sigma and/or Total Productive Maintenance)

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills:

• Strong people leadership skills and passion for great place to work environment.
• Ability to lead, mentor, coach and influence others with or without direct authority.
• Must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Results driven with the mind-set of creating competitive advance for the organization.
• Create and communicate a compelling vision and inspired sense of purpose.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to resolve conflict, drive change management and project governance.
• Balance of strategic thinking and execution excellence.
• Must be able to read, write and communicate in English language.
• Familiarity with JD Edwards ERP system desired.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, and Power Point