Continuous Improvement & Project Manager

pladis Global•Big Flats, NY

97d•$109,000 - $137,000

About The Position

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you. As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits. To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact Click “Apply” to get started. PURPOSE: The Project Manager / Continuous Improvement Manager will play a pivotal role in leading and executing projects that enhance the performance, safety, and efficiency of the Big Flats manufacturing site. This individual will manage key capital investment, productivity, and operational excellence initiatives, applying Lean and Six Sigma principles to deliver measurable business results. You’ll act as a catalyst for change — driving cross-functional collaboration, embedding continuous improvement tools into daily operations, and supporting pladis’ broader global transformation agenda. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELIVERABLES: Project Management Plan, lead, and execute multiple capital and productivity projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives and delivery within scope, budget, and timeline. Develop detailed project charters, schedules, and cost controls, reporting progress and risks to senior leadership. Monitor project progress, report on KPIs, and ensure alignment with business goals. Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, maintenance, production, quality, and finance. Manage vendor relationships, contract compliance, and site safety during project execution. Continuous Improvement Lead and manage end-to-end projects focused on waste reduction, process optimization, and operational excellence. Coach teams in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to drive efficiency, yield, and cost improvements. Facilitate Kaizen events, workshops, training programmes,5S programs, and process standardization initiatives. Analyze operational data (OEE, downtime, waste, cost-to-produce) to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities. Support cultural transformation toward accountability, empowerment, and problem-solving at all levels. Ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulatory requirements throughout project execution. Leadership & Collaboration Partner with the Site Director and functional leaders to identify bottlenecks and implement innovative solutions. Communicate project outcomes and CI results to local and global stakeholders. Serve as a mentor and CI ambassador, training team members on Lean tools and project management best practices.

Requirements

Flexibility to work across different shifts depending on business needs
Ability to determine root causes to performance issues and design improvements
General knowledge of cleaners and sanitizers used in a food processing environment.
General knowledge of control of microorganisms through Sanitation processes, including listeria, coliforms, and salmonella.
Ability to manage large budget.
Solid ability to organize and prioritize.
Micro- soft Office and ability to use Outlook Email system.
Facilitate and support Continuous Improvement
Excellent organization and ability to prioritize.
Ability to understand, comprehend, support, and execute the implementation of various manufacturing techniques, including Lean Manufacturing, to optimize total supply chain cost.
Facilitate training and establish strong effective collaborative partnerships with leaders, team members and support functions
Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or formal CI certification.
PMP or similar project management certification is a plus.
Working knowledge of SAP, Power BI, or similar systems.
Experience leading automation or digital transformation initiatives.
Combine engineering rigor with hands-on leadership on the factory floor.
Are driven by data but inspired by people.
Enjoy solving problems, streamlining complexity, and seeing tangible results.
Can balance strategic project planning with tactical day-to-day improvement delivery.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related field.
Minimum 7 years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 3 years in project or continuous improvement leadership.
Demonstrated success managing capital or productivity projects ($250K–$5M range).
Strong working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles (Green Belt or equivalent experience).
Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Proficiency with MS Project, Excel, and project management systems
Demonstrated leadership abilities
Innate ability to translate technical metrics / terms into business related syntax
Strategic thinking – ability to establish the vision and future direction to enable to company to maintain a leadership role in the professions and industry
Excellent communication skills, able to respond and interact with both internal and external stakeholders at every level
Excellent interpersonal skills
Assertive and able to effectively manage crisis / high stress situations calmly and professionally
Credible team player with good influence skills, particularly regarding qualitative, abstract concepts
Excellent communication skills (both written and oral).
Ability to put into writing, information that has only one interpretation.
Ability to both formally and informally present to peers and management.
Ability to develop logical arguments and articulate them appropriately and professionally in all situations.
Excellent analytical skills.
Ability to analyze complex data and operational problems, including the ability to construct appropriate solutions to achieve desired outcomes.
Experience with executing various manufacturing techniques, including Lean Manufacturing.
Ability to participate and lead cross-functional teams to achieve a desired outcome.

Responsibilities

Plan, lead, and execute multiple capital and productivity projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives and delivery within scope, budget, and timeline.
Develop detailed project charters, schedules, and cost controls, reporting progress and risks to senior leadership.
Monitor project progress, report on KPIs, and ensure alignment with business goals.
Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, maintenance, production, quality, and finance.
Manage vendor relationships, contract compliance, and site safety during project execution.
Lead and manage end-to-end projects focused on waste reduction, process optimization, and operational excellence.
Coach teams in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to drive efficiency, yield, and cost improvements.
Facilitate Kaizen events, workshops, training programmes,5S programs, and process standardization initiatives.
Analyze operational data (OEE, downtime, waste, cost-to-produce) to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities.
Support cultural transformation toward accountability, empowerment, and problem-solving at all levels.
Ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulatory requirements throughout project execution.
Partner with the Site Director and functional leaders to identify bottlenecks and implement innovative solutions.
Communicate project outcomes and CI results to local and global stakeholders.
Serve as a mentor and CI ambassador, training team members on Lean tools and project management best practices.