Business Excellence Continuous Improvement Manager (Maintenance)

About Us:
Trilliant Food & Nutrition is a leading, vertically integrated manufacturer of premium coffees and powdered beverages, proudly headquartered in Little Chute, Wisconsin. With a legacy rooted in quality, innovation, and service, Trilliant delivers branded and private label solutions across retail, foodservice, and e-commerce channels.

Horseshoe Beverage Company, based in Neenah, WI, is a leading ready-to-drink beverage manufacturer dedicated to delivering an exceptional beverage experience. By combining industry-leading talent, cutting-edge equipment, and a vertically integrated supply chain, we drive innovation and consistently deliver the highest quality products to our customers--first and fast.

Our brand portfolio includes Victor Allen's®, Dutch Bros® beverages and Nurri™, our better-for-you protein beverage line. We are passionate about beverages - and about building a team that's just as energized. We invite you to explore opportunities at Trilliant or Horseshoe, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings.

Our Core Values:

Diversity and Inclusion at Trilliant and Horseshoe:
We believe talented, great people are the building blocks of our success. We believe in finding the right people, with the right attitude, and providing them with opportunities to excel.

Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Continuous Improvement Manager to lead the development and execution of process improvement initiatives within our food and beverage manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, with a deep understanding of the food production process, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities:
· Process Optimization: Evaluate and improve production processes to enhance quality, efficiency, and safety in food manufacturing. Identify bottlenecks, waste, and areas of improvement throughout the production line.
· Implementation of Continuous Improvement Strategies: Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives aligned with quality assurance protocols and industry regulations such as HACCP and FDA compliance.
· Leading Training Programs: Conduct training sessions and workshops to educate staff on Lean practices, Six Sigma, and best practices in food safety to foster a culture of continuous improvement across all levels.
· Data Analysis and Reporting: Utilize data analysis tools to monitor production metrics, KPIs, and performance trends. Prepare and present reports to upper management highlighting progress, challenges, and potential solutions.
· Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with operations, quality assurance, and maintenance teams to ensure the successful implementation of improvement projects and maintain high-quality standards throughout the facility.
· Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all continuous improvement initiatives adhere to food safety regulations, standards, and best practices to maintain compliance and ensure product safety.
· Sustainability Initiatives: Identify opportunities for reducing environmental impact and improving sustainability practices within the manufacturing process.

Qualifications:
· Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Food Science, or related field; Master's degree is a plus.
· 5+ years of experience in a continuous improvement role.
· Experience in the food and beverage sector is a plus.
· Proven expertise in Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies, with relevant certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt).
· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach to implementing process improvements.
· Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills to effectively motivate cross-functional teams.
· Familiarity with food safety regulations and quality management systems (e.g., SQF, GFSI, or ISO standards) is a plus.

Hours, Location and Pay:
We offer a competitive base pay rate and comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees. This role works standard business hours Monday - Friday at either our Little Chute or Neenah, WI manufacturing facility. Occasional off-shift or weekend hours may be required to support business needs.

Physical and Mental Demands:
· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, hear, use hands to type data, use a personal computer and telephone. This employee may occasionally have to operate business machines and lift and/move up to 50 pounds.
· Specific vision abilities required in this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Mental demands include multi-tasking, decision making, problem solving, comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, and synthesizing data.
· Potential for exposure to chemicals, heights, loud noises, mechanical equipment, wet environments, and other potential hazards exists.

Safety Statement:
At Trilliant and Horseshoe, safety is every employee's first responsibility. We expect all employees to adhere to all safety practices, have the moral courage to stop other individuals from performing unsafe acts, and immediately report unsafe conditions.

Disclosures:
· The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
· Responsible for following food safety/regulatory policies and procedures, executing responsibilities as identified in standard operating procedures, and reporting food safety/regulatory concerns to the Production or Quality Manager.
· Trilliant Food & Nutrition and Horseshoe Beverage Company are Drug Free Workplaces. All applicants are subject to a drug screen and background check as a condition of employment.
· Trilliant Food and Nutrition and Horseshoe Beverage participate in the E-Verify process.
· EEO/AA including Vets and Disabled
· If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at HR@trilliantfood.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
· Trilliant Food and Nutrition and Horseshoe Beverage are Equal Opportunity Employers.
· The principles of the OECD and UN have been taken into consideration and used as guidance in our human rights practices and procedures.