Continuous Improvement Specialist

Select Milk Producers is one of the nation’s largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives, with 32 wholly owned subsidiaries, 8 processing plants, and 8 joint ventures including Continental Dairy Facilities, Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, Mill Haven Foods, Select Custom Solutions, GreenLink and Select Services. With over 800 employees, the Select Milk family of companies impacts all aspects of the dairy farm business and at the heart of our family of companies, is you.

"We strive to go above and beyond what’s expected in providing for our families, leading our employees, caring for our land and animals, serving our customers, producing quality milk, and serving one another. This commitment is more than our business, it’s in our culture and our character. We believe in being accountable, in doing what’s right, in performing at our best, in setting a higher standard."

Select Milk Producers and its subsidiaries offer attractive compensation and a best-in-class benefits package that includes but is not limited to medical, vision, dental, life insurance, and more that can be tailored for you and your family. Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) up to 6% company match, life and disability insurance, and paid holidays & vacation. We are proud to promote an equal employment opportunity workplace.

What Mill Haven Offers You:

Comprehensive benefits package focusing on your physical, financial and emotional health to include the following perks as well as the standard benefit offerings (health, dental, vision, etc.):

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays Off
• Uniform Program
• Shoe Allowance
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Leadership Development
• Opportunities to support our local communities
• Chance to apply best practices in sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Commitment to producing high quality nutritious products and providing nourishment around the world

What this role is all about:

We are looking for a Continuous Improvement Specialist in New Lisbon, WI or Tomah, WI.

Schedule: Monday – Friday, primarily business hours with the flexibility to support on other shifts as needed.

The Continuous Improvement Specialist (CIS) supports the Continuous Improvement Manager in driving improvement methodologies across the production facility(s). This role is focused on identifying inefficiencies, analyzing data, and implementing solutions to improve productivity, quality, safety, and operational efficiency. The Continuous Improvement Specialist collaborates with various teams to execute continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. This position requires a strong analytical mindset, knowledge of improvement methodologies, and the ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams to achieve sustainable improvements.

Job Duties:

• Serve as an onside leader for all continuous improvement efforts.
• Analyze existing production processes to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Assist in developing and implementing strategies in alignment with the Continuous Improvement Manager’s objectives.
• Collect and analyze data related to production performance, quality metrics, and operational efficiency.
• Support the Continuous Improvement Manager in planning and executing improvement projects.
• Coordinate tasks, timelines, and resources to ensure successful project delivery.
• Help develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices documentation.
• Partner with production, quality, maintenance, and other departments to identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions.
• Assist in communicating continuous improvement goals and achievements to all levels of the organization.
• Track and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to process improvements.
• Ensure that implemented changes are sustained by conducting regular follow-ups and audits.
• Recommend further adjustments or refinements as necessary to maintain and enhance improvements.
• Promote safety as a key component of continuous improvement efforts.
• Prepare and present reports on findings, recommendations, and outcomes of improvement initiatives
• Support the Continuous Improvement Manager in evaluating and adopting new approaches to drive continuous improvement.
• Develop project plans, set objectives, and monitor progress against established goals
• Lead training sessions and workshops to educate employees on continuous improvement principles and methodologies
• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Safety Protocol:
• Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
• Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
• Support safety policies and programs.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management or a related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Experience Required:

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in manufacturing environment preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Skills Required:

• Demonstrate leadership as part of a cross-functional plant management team.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with executives, managers, colleagues and individuals inside and outside the organization.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills, establish priorities, ability to multitask, and meet deadlines.
• Results driven, bottom-line oriented, strive to exceed goals, and motivate self and others to achieve positive outcomes.
• Makes good decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience and judgement.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy in work.
• Follow written, verbal and/or diagrammatic instructions; solve practical problems; interpret verbal and written instructions; conduct general informational, statistical, and technical research and analyze/interpret research; logical thinking to solve problems including abstract and concrete variables; address intellectual problems; comprehend most complex concepts. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative team environment.
• Intermediate math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, comparative analysis, measurements, statistical analysis).
• Intermediate computer skills with Microsoft Excel, Power Point, Word, Outlook, Teams, and field-specific software. 
• Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to extract, analyze, and act on information with limited supervisory input.
• Demonstrate functional and technical knowledge, ability to learn new skills quickly, and achieve a high level of accomplishment.
• Update knowledge and develop professionally on a continuing basis.
• Seeks out and participates in appropriate training and professional development. 
• Exhibit a professional manner in collaborating with others and work to maintain constructive working relationships.

AA/EEO – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity