Job Summary

As the Director of Continuous Improvement, this individual will lead the charge in developing, planning, and executing SunOpta's strategic plan aligning with our Operational Excellence journey. This role will center on building processes and systems that drive an Operating Model tailored to the elimination of waste, improving customer satisfaction, and increasing our Company's growth strategy. This position will also provide oversight, and direction, to identify, train and deploy resources to apply state-of-the-art approaches and tools to achieve Operational Excellence and process improvements.

Essential Functions of the Job

• Lead SunOpta One Continuous Improvement and Productivity Pillar to drive standards .
• Establish and standardize business and operational processes through facilitated work sessions, process & tool development, and process pilots then educate and transfer ownership to end state users and process owners.
• Support the facilitation of Plant Kaizens, brainstorming sessions, workshops, problem-solving sessions and process mapping exercises to bring alignment, extract knowledge and improve performance.
• Monitors business and operational performance through metrics, identifies gaps in performance and facilitates problem solving activities to close performance gaps.
• Fosters an environment where training, coaching, and facilitation of continuous improvement tools and methodologies such as lean, six sigma, kaizen, quality, and process management are adopted.
• Leads and executes Productivity improvement projects across or within functions/operational sites via Lean methodologies.
• Facilitate flow of information/processes/procedures and helps troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Adheres to company GMP's (good manufacturing practices), safety procedures and all other quality processes.
• Works with Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ensure effective organizational design and that role is correctly organized, defined, documented, and communicated to all employees.
• Ensures effective safety procedures, tools and record keeping are managed through CI site leadership.
• Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when required.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Plant CI Managers will report directly into this role.

Minimum Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Must have at least five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Manufacturing environment and cross-functional project management experience preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Outstanding verbal, written, multi-tasking and presentation skills.
• Ability to create momentum and foster SunOpta One transformational change.
• Bilingual in Spanish is beneficial.
• Must have a working knowledge of MS Word and PowerPoint and be proficient with MS Excel software.
• Candidate must be an experienced leader that can work with cross-functional business groups to apply continuous improvement concepts and principles across the organization.
• Must have an inherent "data-based" approach with the ability to plan, acquire, analyze, and interpret Operations and business data to drive improvements and provide direction/focus.
• Candidate must have a continuous improvement/problem solving "mindset" and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large teams in reviews, process improvement events and/or Kaizens as well as leading training and providing coaching support.
• Possess a disciplined approach to project execution with a track record of positive behavioral results.
• Incumbent will be self-motivated/driven and able to create enthusiasm for improvement initiatives.

Additional Considerations

• Travel Expectation up to 25%.
• Location: This position will office at our Eden Prairie (EPIC) Headquarters.
• Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Approximately 50% of work is performed in an office environment. 50% of work may involve being in the agricultural or manufacturing environment.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.