Continuous Improvement Manager - Bob Evans Foods

For 75 years, Bob Evans Farms has delivered delicious, quick-to-table, farm-inspired food that makes mealtime a little bit easier and a lot more delicious. We’re proud to be the #1-selling refrigerated dinner sides, including many varieties of feel-good favorites such as mashed potatoes and macaroni & cheese. We’re also a leading producer and distributor of sausage and bacon products, potato products, and egg products including liquid eggs. Our brand portfolio includes Bob Evans, Simply Potatoes, Egg Beaters and Owens Sausage. Bob Evans Farms is based in Columbus, Ohio.

In September of 2017, Bob Evans Farms was acquired by Post Holdings, Inc. and is part of the Refrigerated Retail division. Other divisions of Post include Post Consumer Brands (Cereal), Weetabix (Cereal – UK), Michael Foods (Foodservice), and 8th Avenue Food & Provisions (Private Label). Post has aggressive growth plans for BEF, highlighted by the recent deployment of capital to support innovation, marketing and manufacturing. 

This position will support the Bob Evans Facility in maintaining and leading projects for the facilities.  This individual will be responsible for supporting projects that add to production and efficiency.

• A Continuous Improvement Manager instills a Process Excellence culture through involving, educating and leading all levels and functions at the site in CI/Lean principles, concepts, methodology, initiatives and tools.
• Work with site leadership teams using CI/Lean tools and analytical skills to identify, prioritize and lead Continuous Improvement projects or activities; identify stakeholders; reprioritize as necessary to address changes in business.
• Facilitate cross-functional project groups including Quality, Corporate Engineering, Supply Chain, & R&D to develop and implement process improvements resulting in increased capacity, productivity and throughput and cost reduction.
• Designs, implement, champions new Lean strategies and program elements and framework to keep pace with growth and business changes. Develop CI project plans with plant management; identify needed resources, alignment, milestones, deliverables, project prioritization and tracking.
• Utilize engineering principles to identify, analyze, and design cost effective food processing technology and improve the current manufacturing systems with operations.
• Develop and provide CI/Lean training on site. Identifies and communicates training requirements for the site. Identifies and secures resources.
• Mentor, influence and coach plant leaders and project teams to facilitate culture change. Ensures alignment on initiatives, CI principles, concepts and methodology within the site.
• Organizes, generates relevant data and prepare project scopes, cost estimates, assist in preparation of capital project requests as needed to obtain management approval.
• Adhere to safe work practices, follow GMP’s, maintain sanitary conditions and ensure that product quality is maintained. Report to management any conditions or practices that may adversely affect food safety, food quality or personnel safety
• Follow all SQF principles pertinent to your position as specified by the SQF Practitioner

• Degree in Engineering preferred (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Industrial)
• Practical experience with implementation and sustaining of continuous improvement programs (i.e. Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Productive Manufacturing, statistical process control, etc.)
• Skill and experience in yield optimization & cost reduction, production efficiencies & quality improvements.
• Black Belt certification is preferred
• Working knowledge of manufacturing cost calculations, gathering production information/scheduling
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Must be willing to work flexible hours and shifts
• Must be willing to attend off-site training
• Ability on a daily basis, walking, standing, crouching, lifting (25-35lbs), twisting, climbing, reaching