Process Improvement Engineer - Amy's Kitchen

The Process Improvement Engineer is responsible for driving continuous and sustainable improvement projects in the manufacturing plant. They demonstrate proficiency in continuous improvement production principles and leverages them to lead high-impact projects that improve Safety, that remove disengaging tasks to improve Employee Engagement, that improve Delivery, that reduce Cost, and that unlock plant Capacity.  The Process Improvement Engineer will work closely with the Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager, plant leadership, and the Plant Controller to identify these projects.

• Lead plantwide projects that will create high impact.  Projects will focus on improvement in Safety, Employee Engagement, Delivery, Cost, and/or Capacity.
• Partner with CI Manager, plant leadership, and the Plant Controller to identify and be assigned projects.  Provides updates regularly to CI Manager.  Escalates project barriers to CI Manager as necessary.  Consistently delivers target savings on projects.
• Demonstrate a year-over-year continuous savings mindset.  Attend regular reviews with plant and company leadership to measure savings generated and align on forecasted savings on future projects.
• Demonstrate proficiency in continuous improvement tools/methodologies in leading projects.  Teaches and mentors other team members on the tools/methodologies.
• Participate in the daily accountability process through the Management Operating System.

• Become a leadership example through Gemba walks and front-line engagement.
• Collaborate and partners with other team members and plant leaders to share best practices, maintain standards and assist corporate initiatives.
• In her/his absence, the CI Manager can cover their duties and responsibilities.

It is the responsibility of all employees to uphold the mission of the Amy’s Food Safety and Quality Policy.  This includes following all Food Safety and Sustainability programs and participating in all required training.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree (B. S.) in technical field from four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum three years related manufacturing experience and/or training.
• Formal training/certification in Lean and Six Sigma with at least 3 years of related experience preferred.

SKILLS

• Excellent teaching/coaching skills
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with people at all organizational levels, from the shop floor up to and including senior-level leadership
• Demonstrates the ability to lead through influence and collaboration, not authority
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent project management skills
• Trained in Lean and Six Sigma
• Detailed knowledge of lean manufacturing techniques – i.e., value stream mapping, one piece flow, problem solving, etc.
• Detailed knowledge of Six Sigma concepts and tools as they relate to minimizing process/product variability
• Thorough understanding of problem-solving methodologies used in determining root cause and formulating corrective action(s)
• Experience leading MOS implementations would be a distinct advantage

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. 
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
• Bilingual, English/Spanish preferred.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to add, apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret various graphic formats.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems
• Ability to define problems, collect data establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTERATIONS

Certification in Lean and Six Sigma preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Conditions of high moisture and slippery floors may be encountered. As a food manufacturing facility, the individual must recognize, apply and adhere to industry Good Manufacturing Practices.

TRAVEL

Minimal, potentially to other plants or team meetings.