Bringing our love of food to families for five generations! Blount Fine Foods is a family-owned and operated manufacturer, marketer, and developer of premium fresh prepared foods. We are an engaging team, bringing restaurant-quality products to America including single-serve grab-n-go fresh soups, mac & cheese, and entrées in grocery stores across the country, as well as for hot bars and restaurants. Help us create the finest food experiences including those with specialty certifications that include organic, gluten-free, and low sodium, among others. Join a proven team for growth, success, and a satisfying career!
Summary – The Continuous Improvement Engineer II performs routine analysis, management, and tracking of production efficiency standards in order to drive performance and to identify opportunities for process improvement. Provides support and guidance in planning for capacity expansion and utilization, labor model management and planning, and asset and systems management, planning, and performance tracking. Analyzes and trends production data to provide insights to production team regarding inefficiencies and process improvement opportunities. Facilitates RCA CAPA events and provides framework and guidance for operations team to utilize root cause and problem-solving tools and methods. Champions and facilitates the management of change process, and continuous upkeep and analysis of process flow models to identify and eliminate process inefficiency. Provide support in validation, autonomous maintenance program scheduling, and compliance system analysis and improvement. Provides support for use variance analysis and variability reduction projects.
Applies statistical methods to estimate future manufacturing requirements.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Proactive involvement in the vetting, planning, and implementation of improvement projects utilizing the DMAIC framework and other Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
- Provide support for and be involved in the process of capacity planning to both ensure efficiency in utilization of current state capacity and to capitalize on opportunities for further capacity expansion.
- Analyze labor models and labor planning processes to drive improvement in process and to find opportunities for labor cost reductions
- Provide support in asset management and planning processes to increase efficiency and capacity
- Provide support for the implementation and utilization of various manufacturing systems (MES, WMS, QMS, etc.)
- Analyze batch sequencing process to identify opportunities for improvements in capacity and efficiency
- Continued support of process and product validation efforts
- Involvement and support in the implementation, expansion, and planning of the autonomous maintenance program
- Perform gap analyses of outdated and/or ineffective processes to identify opportunities for improvement and change
- Involvement and support in the analysis and improvement planning of compliance systems
- Application of the principles of statistical process control to manufacturing processes as well as continued maintenance and monitoring of established control methods
- Work to support capacity increase projects and to provide analysis of current and future state capacity models
- Work with cross-functional teams to identify and reduce material variances
- Perform gap assessments and continued analysis of personnel training and development to drive the development of training and onboarding programs as well as the planning of offseason training and development initiatives
- Provide formal and informal training and coaching on Lean Six Sigma principles and serve as a subject matter expert on Lean Six Sigma methodologies
- Work closely with Supervisor and lead position to ensure the success of continuous improvement initiatives as well as the general success of day-to-day operations
- Apply statistical methods and perform product/process analysis for cost reduction, quality improvement, and improved efficiency.
- Represent manufacturing/engineering on cross-functional teams.
- Maintain register of and help to facilitate plant level cost savings initiatives
- Collaborate with Area managers to develop, implement, and manage Plant key performance indicators (KPIs). Track and publish KPIs regularly. Coach team members as needed.
- Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) program plant wide and drive recommendations to completion, specifically in the areas of but not limited to: Safety, Product Safety and Quality, Customer Satisfaction, Unplanned Downtime, and Product/Material Losses. Train and coach team members as needed. Track RCAs for completion and communicate with team members regularly.
- Lead and coordinate Plant-wide comprehensive Process Improvement plan and project portfolios in the areas of safety, quality, service, operational efficiency, and cost reduction.
Facilitate, track and communicate improvement results by reviewing regularly with the Team members, area owners and the leadership team.
- Drive structured process improvement initiatives to reduce/eliminate product waste (finished goods, raw materials, packaging).
- Develop and implement strategies that improve product quality and process yield, while also coaching and training team members to achieve performance goals.
- Responsible for changeover activities including standard target setting, and leading successful efforts to reduce changeover time.
- Analyze production times, work force utilization, workflow, space requirements, and design layout of equipment and workspace for maximum efficiency.
- Initiate cost reduction projects to reduce operating costs.
- Provide tactical support and process improvement techniques (Lean/Six Sigma) for manufacturing processes to resolve quality/operational issues to ensure superior customer satisfaction in product quality and delivery.
- Institute process controls to ensure robustness of processes.
- Support the daily activities of the production line(s) and/or processing areas.
- Environmental and Safety improvements.
- Plant process troubleshooting.
- Participate/support on major capital projects.
- Competencies:
- Project Management: ability to organize and manage multiple products through manufacturing process.
- Quality orientation and high attention to detail.
- Ability to work with vendors, customers, and employees.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to maintain safe work environment.
- Ability to perform problem analysis and problem resolution
- Ability to demonstrate excellent critical thinking skills and apply theoretical concepts to real world applications.
Education And Experience
- Bachelor's degree
- 2 years’ related experience required.
- Lean Six-Sigma Certification/experience required
- Project Management: ability to organize and manage multiple products through manufacturing process.
- Quality orientation and high attention to detail.
- Ability to work with vendors, customers, and employees.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to maintain safe work environment.
- Ability to perform problem analysis and problem resolution
- Ability to demonstrate excellent critical thinking skills and apply theoretical concepts to real world applications
Our Total Compensation Package Includes:
- Medical, dental and vision benefits.
- 401k with Company match.
- Paid time off including vacation, sick time and holidays.
- Education Assistance Program.
- Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability.
- Discounts on Blount products at Company retail location.
- Discretionary Annual Bonus Program.
