Continuous Improvement Manager

Shearer’s Foods, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Massillon, OH, is a leading manufacturer of salty snacks, cookies, and crackers. Specializing in private label and co-manufacturing, Shearer’s is the largest supplier of private brand salty snacks and second-largest supplier of private brand cookies and crackers.

With a strong focus on innovation, service, quality, and sustainability, Shearer’s has been awarded the food industry’s highest award for environmental sustainability, as well as multiple Supplier of the Year awards.

Operating 16 locations across North America and employing more than 5000 team members, Shearer’s is driven by its core values of People, Grow, Impact and Win. The company mission is to deliver exceptional products and services that make snacking a time to celebrate for our customers, colleagues, and community.

At Shearer’s Foods , we believe in a skills-first approach to recruitment and employment. This means focusing on what you can do and how you can grow, rather than traditional metrics alone. We are committed to adhering to anti-exclusion practices, removing barriers to access, and enhancing opportunities for all individuals based on merit and potential. Your skills, experience , and perspective are valuable—and we want to empower you to make your mark here with us. 

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER

Onsite: Brewster, OH

Your seat at the table:

This position is responsible for leading Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement initiatives at the facility level, providing direction, support, and execution at the Brewster site. The overall objective is to drive continuous improvement in Shearer’s manufacturing system using company systems in conjunction with industry Best Practices.

• Function as a key member of the plant leadership team.

• Work with facility operations leaders to drive Lean / CI initiatives.

• Be a leader with regard to communication and establishment of a culture of CI.

• Provide analysis of current state and recommendations for improvements.

• Maintain and communicate metrics which record successes and track progress.

• Lead capital improvement and other engineering initiatives associated with continuous improvement.

• Develop and implement associate engagement techniques such as Kaizen, FIT, Safety Committee, Green Team, 5S, and other similar programs or teams, harness the intellectual energy of ALL associates to drive continuous improvement.

• Work with corporate resources, consultants and other third parties to drive Lean / CI initiatives.

• As a result of the above activities and processes, execute programs that result in measurable increases in performance.

What you bring to the table:

• Five to ten years of manufacturing leadership experience as a production manager, supervisor, or similar role, in a consumer product manufacturing facility.

• Significant experience with continuous improvement tools such as kaizen, 5S, six sigma, and other such associate engagement and process improvement techniques.

• Four year degree in engineering, operations management, or similar field preferred.

• Applicable academic and / or professional experience in food science, engineering, or general business.

• Great analytical skills and ability to understand complex manufacturing systems.

• Proven leadership experience and ability to lead cross functional teams through influence, not just in direct reporting relationships.

• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

• Ability and willingness to work a varied schedule as needed to support a 24 / 7 operation.

• Knowledge of TPM or IWS preferred.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law .