Regional CI Manager

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

For over 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 No. 1-selling refrigerated dinner sides*, including many varieties of wholesome, feel-good favorites such as mashed potatoes and macaroni & cheese, sold in grocery stores across the country. We're also a leading producer and distributor of sausage and egg products including liquid eggs. In addition to our flagship Bob Evans^® brand, our product portfolio includes Simply Potatoes^®, Egg Beaters^® and Owens^® Sausage. Bob Evans Farms is based in Columbus, Ohio, and is owned by Post Holdings, Inc., a consumer-packaged goods holding company. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevansgrocery.com.

Position Overview:

Regional Operations Business Partner for Continuous Improvement overseeing continuous improvement planning and implementation of strategy to support overall performance improvement programs. Advise plant leadership on strategic and tactical direction. Coach and mentor manufacturing staff on continuous improvement methodology, tools, root-cause analysis and waste reduction to achieve sustainable and continued improvements in the areas of safety, quality, delivery, cost and growth. Coordinate training and development of all team members in understanding and capitalizing on continuous improvement behaviors, methodology and practices.

Accountabilities:

• Leads the regional continuous improvement process (e.g. behaviors, attitude and culture), working with staff and operations to develop, implement and sustain a continuous improvement program based upon lean principles that supports meeting plant goals and targets.
• Supports operator technical training program through coordination with Training Lead and Operations
• Helps identifies opportunities and works closely with technical resources to help drive efficiencies and best practices.
• Teaches and models root cause analysis, problem solving, actions to prevent recurrence, standard work and follow-up. Viewed as an expert in these areas and speaks with authority and confidence when engaging others.
• Is a change agent that challenges existing processes that create waste and non-value-added work.
• Coaches, guides and/or leads cross functional teams to achieve resolution of assigned projects.
• Lead focused efforts aimed at breakthrough and incremental improvements in process, department and/or line-specific opportunities that meet and exceed plant operational performance metrics.
• Monitor data and metrics to identify areas of waste and prioritize the development and implementation of solutions.
• Teaches and models tools and concepts of Lean Thinking and Six Sigma, facilitates kaizen events
• Provide appropriate documentation and project update communication to Operations leadership. Collaborates with all departments and individuals affected by CI projects.
• Share best practices and build relationships across all BEF facilities, including external manufacturing.

Experience and Education:

Education Level:

• Bachelor’s Degree required in Engineering (or related field)

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of successful leadership in executing continuous improvement/Lean Six Sigma efforts and enabling efficiency, effectiveness, and tangible financial benefit

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to travel 50%

Skills:

• Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing/Continuous Improvement methodologies and ability to teach and model them.
• Must have strong analytical and business judgment including demonstrated problem-solving and trouble-shooting skills.
• Ability to influence, mentor and coach to get results through others.
• Results driven for being the low cost producer and supporting company growth strategies.
• Have strong bias for action, while proving the ability to inspire others.
• Convey high level of optimism while setting aggressive targets to teams, finding ways to achieve them.
• Communicates a compelling vision and inspired sense of purpose. Talks about the possibilities and is optimistic. Creates strong morale and spirit within team.
• Solves highly complex problems and prioritizes actions in a timely manner. Probes all sources for answers and can quickly sense what will help resolve issues.
• Establish clear directions, sets stretching objectives. Lays out work in a well-planned and organized manner and brings out the best in people through leveraging their strengths.
• Speaks candidly and provides constructive feedback in a professional manner.
• Oganizes and manages projects; interacts, supports, facilitates and leads multi-functional work teams; leads teams to consensus; strong negotiation skills.
• Able to build strong and diverse relationships across the business groups they partner with. Supports and fosters change.
• Demonstrates a passion for safety. Able to develop and maintain a respectful and safe work environment.
• Must be mobile and able to take on broader assignments for additional development opportunities.
• Ability to work collaboratively and cohesively with company peers and Post Holdings partners.
• Strong interpersonal skills - Listening and informing others effectively; excellent negotiating and influencing skills at all levels both internal and external.

• Ability to anticipate work needs and follow through with minimal direction.  Must be a self-motivated self-starter.
• Must possess the ability to always maintain external and internal confidentiality.