Continuous Improvement Specialist

Hazelwood , United States
On-site

AI overview

Drive operational excellence by leading loss elimination initiatives and supporting a culture of continuous improvement through data-driven insights and coaching at all levels.

Who We Are

At Nature’s Bakery, we believe better snacks make for brighter days. We’re a team of dreamers and doers who bake up goodness every day — fueling families and inspiring healthier choices with delicious, feel-good snacks. We bring our whole selves to work, celebrate teamwork, and always look for ways to make things even better.

 

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist, you’ll play a key role in driving operational excellence across our bakery. You’ll lead loss elimination efforts, coach teams on problem-solving, and help shape how we continuously improve our processes and systems. You’ll partner closely with line leaders and operators to strengthen daily management systems, ensure data integrity, and support a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

 

In This Role, You Will:

  • Lead and facilitate loss elimination initiatives across your assigned Value Stream.
  • Support the development and execution of Daily Management Systems (DMS), including Centerline (CL), Clean-Inspect-Lubricate (CIL), Abnormality Handling (AH), 5S, and Changeover systems.
  • Analyze line data to identify and prioritize loss elimination opportunities.
  • Drive root cause problem-solving on chronic issues, using both basic and advanced tools.
  • Partner with production and technical teams to define process standards, establish control strategies, and enable teams to respond to out-of-control situations.
  • Facilitate team meetings and NBOS CP2 sessions; communicate clearly across shifts and functions.
  • Collaborate with line leaders to ensure all departmental metrics (safety, quality, efficiency) are achieved.
  • Train and coach associates to build technical mastery and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Foster a culture of safety, quality, and teamwork through proactive engagement and accountability.

 

What You Bring:

Minimum Requirements

  • Strong mechanical/technical aptitude with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort working with data systems.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to connect with and motivate people at all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Certified Trainer or demonstrated ability to effectively train and coach others.
  • Experience facilitating process improvement initiatives and using Focused Improvement tools.
  • Proven ability to provide constructive feedback and guide performance improvement.
  • BA Degree (ENG, Supply Chain, Business, or technical field) or Associate's Degree with at least 2 years' experience in a TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) manufacturing environment
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Why You’ll Love It Here:

At Nature’s Bakery, you’ll find more than a career — you’ll find a community. We’re passionate about growth, integrity, inclusion, and, of course, making great snacks. We believe in empowering our people to make a real impact, one improvement at a time.

 

Join us and help bake up a better tomorrow!

 

 

The Good Stuff – Benefits
Our team members' physical and mental health is important to a thriving workplace. That’s why we offer the following benefits to full-time employees:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance offered for eligible employees
  • 401(k) plan with a company match that vest on day 1 of eligibility
  • Paid vacation 
  • Paid time off 
  • Holiday pay (11 days)
  • Paid short-term disability
  • Paid life insurance
  • Banfield Pet Insurance Discounts
  • Wellness Benefits and Discounts
  • Employee Assistance Program

 

 

EEO

We are committed to an inclusive workplace where diversity in all its forms is championed. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and we are an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. 

 

Privacy Policy

Mars and its family of brands is committed to transparency and responsibility in how we handle the personal data entrusted to us by our customers and consumers. To learn more about our privacy policy please follow this link.

Perks & Benefits Extracted with AI

  • Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision insurance offered for eligible employees
  • Other Benefit: Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Time Off: Paid time off

About Us Since our founding in 2011, Nature’s Bakery has been baking better-for-you snacks to nourish families and enable them to thrive. We believe that the choice to snack healthier should be an easy and desirable one. Today, we are a top 10 granola and snack bar brand, with approximately 600 employees baking soft-baked snacks with real, recognizable, and wholesome ingredients, such as whole grains and sun-ripened fruits. Our marketplace success led us to join forces with KIND to create a health and wellness platform within Mars, Inc. While continuing to operate as a standalone company, we are now part one of the most well-regarded consumer goods company in the world. That independence allows us to remain an agile, insurgent brand committed to our brand purpose and founding. Nature’s Bakery is a fast-growing company with a bright future ahead. We have achieved great things, and there is more opportunity for growth both on the digital and retail shelves, through expanded distribution with existing and new retail customers. To achieve our aspirations, we are expanding our team of growth-minded, nimble, and entrepreneurial individuals who like to roll up their sleeves and get things done. We think like owners, act like operators. So, come join us to create a world of snacking that is both good, and good for you.

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