Sr. Continuous Improvement Manager

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together. 

We are hiring a Sr. Continuous Improvement Manager to guide much of our efforts in Asian food production across the country.  In this leadership role you will be responsible for contributing to best performance within our facilities by working within the plants support services and/or business unit to optimize safety quality cost and productivity. This person ideally is located in the Houston, TX or Beaumont, CA areas but we are also open to the right candidate located in the Minneapolis, MN area.  

What You Will Do:

• Identify and prioritize the top improvement opportunities and provides the appropriate data to ensure leadership consensus and buy-in.
• Oversee the use and rigor of standard improvement methodologies (i.e. Lean Six Sigma, TPM, problem solving, etc.).
• Identifiy and implement major engineering improvement projects involving new processes and/or technologies.
• Work with each business unit and R&D to define operational targets including processing parameters and performance criteria.
• Utilize data knowledge and experience to help set standards and insure BOMs and routings are accurate.
• Apply statistical analysis to products and processes to assure meeting customer requirements while optimizing operations.
• Lead or sponsor cross-functional teams on major improvement opportunities. Participate in the planning process associated with GSC performance and provide subject matter expertise in support of improvement planning.
• Guide performance improvement initiatives to eliminate waste and non-value-add work by utilizing standard practices such as Lean Six Sigma and problem solving.

• Bachelor's degree or better in industrial, chemical, manufacturing, mechanical, or similar engineering field. 
• 10+ years of total engineering experience, including 5+ years guiding or leading engineering teams within a manufacturing space (with some ideally within food/beverage). 
• Be comfortable giving direct communication and build strong relationships across the company, with all levels.
• Working knowledge of MS Office and ideally MS Project
• Understanding of general industrial process and control systems and basic statistical tools
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and successfully leverage internal and external resources
• Ability to handle multiple projects and assignments while prioritizing and meeting budget deadlines and achieve objectives
• Ability to lead cross-functional improvement teams through effective communication, facilitation and problem-solving skills

What We Offer: 

The base salary range for this position is $107,000 to $178,000 annually with eligibility for a 20% annual incentive bonus, that is based on organizational performance. The pay range represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to educations, skills, work experience, certifications, geography etc. As such, starting pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.  

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email [email protected].