Continuous Improvement Manager Job at Refresco (Modesto)

Continuous Improvement Manager

Refresco

Location:
United States , Modesto

Category:
Manufacturing

Contract Type:
Employment contract

Salary:

103436.00 - 130000.00 USD / Year

Save Job

Apply Position

Job Description:

Reporting to the Sr. Regional Operations Excellence Manager, the Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager is responsible for developing, coordinating, and sustaining CI initiatives within the manufacturing plant. Partnering with the Plant Leadership team and Sr. Regional Operations Excellence Manager, the CI Manager will drive the deployment of CI strategies across the facility. This role involves leading improvement projects, training and developing employees to lead similar initiatives, and fostering a Lean mindset throughout the plant. A strong Lean background is essential, as the CI Manager will spend significant time on the production floor, driving sustainable improvements and securing buy-in at all levels.

Job Responsibility:

Adhere to and ensure compliance to all health and safety policies/procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and PPE requirements
Adhere to and ensure compliance to food quality and food safety as per the standard(s) provided by corporate, customer, and/or governing bodies (ex. SQF)
Develop and support the execution of improvement plans aligned with company strategy by collaborating with the Plant Leadership Team and Sr. Regional OPEX Manager
Lead, facilitate, and coach Kaizen events to drive sustainable improvements in safety, first-pass quality, direct labor efficiency, yield, maintenance excellence, and indirect labor optimization
Mentor and train employees at all levels in CI tools, including the 8 Wastes, Standard Work, SMED, 5S, 5 Whys/RCA/Fishbone, and Center lining, to build a culture of continuous improvement
Maintain a rolling 12-month pipeline of productivity initiatives and capital improvement opportunities
Facilitate regular planning meetings to validate cost savings, review project status, and develop contingency plans if initiatives are off track
Track and report cost savings, project sustainability, and employee engagement related to continuous improvement initiatives
Analyze plant financials, including P&L and other internal data tools, to identify cost-saving opportunities and prioritize high-impact areas for improvement
Lead the implementation and sustainment of the Refresco Management System (RMS), ensuring alignment with plant objectives
Identify, evaluate, and execute process improvement opportunities that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and increase plant output
Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment, information sharing, and a unified approach to continuous improvement initiatives
Implement and promote best practices through the Best Practice Sharing process, fostering innovation and operational excellence
Define, monitor, and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure plant performance and drive accountability
Partner with plant leadership to enhance workplace safety by developing and executing strategies to reduce accidents, energy consumption, and material waste

Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree required, preferably in Engineering, Business or Operations
3-5 years experience in Continuous Improvement role required
Strong leadership capabilities in a fast-paced production environment required
Previous experience in the food/beverage manufacturing industry preferred
Ability to understand mechanical workings of equipment strongly preferred
Demonstrated success in implementing and driving cultural and operational improvements through structured change management
Hands-on experience deploying Lean methodologies, including Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, and Visual Management, to improve efficiency and reduce waste
Skilled in planning, leading, and coaching Kaizen events to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, and Windows) with the ability to quickly adapt to new software applications
Experience with SAP is highly preferred
Comprehensive understanding of SQF standards with a strong sense of responsibility for Food Safety and Food Quality
Must take immediate action when any Food Safety or Quality issue is identified
Willingness to adjust work hours or shifts as needed based on production and operational demands
Ability to teach, coach, and apply structured problem-solving methodologies such as 5-Why and Fishbone Analysis to identify and eliminate the root causes of issues
Proactive in identifying opportunities, making data-driven decisions, and executing improvements with a sense of urgency
A strong self-driven work ethic, personal accountability, effective time management, and the ability to influence others are critical to success in this role

Nice to have:

Experience with SAP is highly preferred
Previous experience in the food/beverage manufacturing industry preferred
Ability to understand mechanical workings of equipment strongly preferred

What we offer:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
Short-term disability and long-term disability
Pet Insurance
Legal Benefits
401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
12 Paid Holidays
15 Vacation Days and 5 Paid (Sick) Time Off Days
Well-being Benefit
Discount and Total Reward Programs

Additional Information:

Job Posted:
May 03, 2026

Expiration:
May 18, 2026

Employment Type:

Fulltime

Work Type:

On-site work

Refresco - All Job Offers

Job Link Share: