Continuous Improvement Specialist

Continuous Improvement Specialist

Opportunity Overview

Are you ready to elevate your career and be a part of creating the world's best desserts? Dessert Holdings partners with some of North America’s most iconic chains to bring people together to celebrate life’s sweetest moments!

Dessert Holdings is looking for a Continuous Improvement Specialist to join our team based in London, Ontario. This individual will lead, organize, and direct continuous improvement activities in the London plant to enhance efficiency, lower costs and maximize asset utilization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for using process data to identify and prioritize process improvement opportunities which will have a positive benefit to the company bottom line
• Maintain and administer production reporting systems (OEE tracking)
• Ensures that corporate operations team has prompt, relevant feedback for learning and improvement through SPC and Continuous Improvement principles
• Provides operational expertise and support for new product launches and executes production capability studies for new products and processes
• Organizes and controls projects for improvement opportunities
• Co-ordinates with facility teams to help control and minimize costs while implementing change within the facility
• Assist in maintaining high quality, value added products manufacturing at all times
• Works closely with many plant teams including Engineering, Accounting, Maintenance, Operations, R&D
• Monitors results and facilitates timely and effective response
• Regularly review and revise plans for SPC, production monitoring, and facility training
• Provide effective regular reporting to all facility teams, senior leadership and various customers where applicable
• Aligns self with the department mission, operations team, product strategies and to the DH Values
• Expertly provides training to all operations team members to achieve their goals as part of new equipment or process changes
• Instruct plant teams and provide leadership on the proper use of Statistical Process Control and proper waste identification/elimination
• Execute time studies to validate or improve manufacturing processes
• Cleverly helps to solve problems while contributing to team building in a C.I. environment as a facilitator and/or active team member where applicable. Sets a good example with a positive attitude, good listening skills, and a tireless work ethic

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial or related Engineering field

Experience Requirements:

• 3+ years experience in the Food, Pharmaceutical, and Beverage industry required
• 5+ years experience in an Industrial Engineering or Continuous Improvement role
• PLC experience preferred
• Project management experience preferred
• Demonstrated ability to implement and manage change in a production environment

Other Key Considerations:

• Some travel may be required within Canada and USA
• Occasional off-hours work required including afternoons/nights/weekends

Job Specific Competencies, Skills & Knowledge Required: 

• Must have Continuous Improvement experience
• Six sigma – certified black belt is preferable
• Experience with Minitab software
• Must have demonstrated competency in SPC, lean manufacturing, kaizen, 5S
• Must be self-motivated and results oriented
• Must have strong communication skills
• Must work well in a cross-functional team environment and strong conflict resolution skills
• Strong analytical and math skills

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is North America’s fastest-growing premium dessert company, recognized for providing retail and foodservice customers with chef-inspired, innovative desserts made with real ingredients, a flexible and low-cost supply chain, and best-in-class service. The company is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands:  Steven Charles, The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, and Dianne’s Fine Desserts. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, employing more than 3,200 people across eight manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.