Continuous Improvement Manager - Praxis Packaging

Praxis Packaging / Unette Corporation  is an FDA compliant contract manufacturer specializing in filling liquids, creams, and pastes into bottles, jars, reclosable tubes, and flexible packages.

We are seeking a dynamic leader to join our team as a Continuous Improvement Manager.

As a Continuous Improvement Manager, you will play a pivotal role in optimizing processes and enhancing operational efficiency within our packaging facility.

This position will lead initiatives focused on streamlining workflows, implementing sustainable practices and improving processes, ensuring that cGMPs and Unette’s SOPs, policies and work instructions are being followed. This position requires an individual apt to work collaboratively and as a leader in change, in a fast-paced working environment and comfortable with change management.  

Employees at Praxis / Unette are from all over the world, and diversity in the workplace is respected and celebrated.  We offer two health insurance options, dental, vision, flex, and company paid short term disability, long term disability and life insurance.  We invest in our employees and provide a 4% 401k employer match.  Apply today if you are interested in joining a dynamic team in the pharma and food industry.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with senior management to establish a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy aligned with organizational goals and objectives in the areas of quality, cost, performance, and preventative and predictive maintenance.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization and cost reduction within the packaging operation.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the planning, execution and monitoring of improvement projects aimed to enhance productivity, quality and safety.
• Utilize data analysis and lean manufacturing principles to identify root causes of inefficiencies and develop actionable solutions and present to management and supervisors.
• Provide training and guidance to employees at all levels of continuous improvement methodologies.
• Drive organizational change by effectively communicating the rationale behind improvement initiatives and engaging stakeholders at all levels.
• Anticipate and address potential resistance to change through proactive communication and stakeholder management.
• Establish partnerships with key stakeholders to drive innovation and enhance value for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Champion sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and promotion responsible manufacturing practices.
• Mentor trainees on projects and assist through the DMAIC process.
• Provide technical direction and management of the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, and equipment.
• Support operations team in setting goals and measuring key indicators of plant performance for safety, quality, cost, and delivery.
• Support operations team with optimization of waste elimination, quality improvements, operating system controls, material flow, footprint development, and efficiency improvements.
• Support operations in capital budgeting/improvements, equipment requests, process improvements, scheduling, and project management as required.
• Evaluate and analyze current process metrics and performance to identify areas requiring improvements.
• Analyze and identify opportunities to reduce process variation, improve process capabilities and optimize process performance.
• Develop process improvement initiatives to increase operational efficiency and productivity.
• Works to improve the effectiveness of the quality management system using the quality policy, quality objectives, audit results, analysis of data, corrective and preventive actions.

Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in related field such as Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration or Operations Management required or combination of relevant education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience (7+ preferred) in a similar role with a proven history of applying Lean & implementing CI initiatives required.
• Strong knowledge of Lean methodologies and tool sets such as Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, 5S implementation, Root Cause Analysis, Line Balancing, Standard Work, SMED, FMEA, DMAIC, Pareto analysis, and process capability.
• Green Belt Certification required - Black Belt preferred.
• A high degree of effectiveness in Change Management Leadership is critical, as many issues will require individuals or departments to change behaviors or conduct their work processes differently than they have in the past.
• Experience in conducting root-cause analyses into reliability or operational issues and developing sustainable corrective and preventive actions.

Computer & Communication Skills

• Working knowledge of MS Office programs: Word, Excel, Minitab, and Outlook, preferred