Continuous Improvement Senior Manager

If you're someone who has a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives, join us as we work to be a trusted resource in our communities, offering real people, real food at real affordable prices across the Midwest.

If you are ready to immerse yourself in an environment, that helps shoppers naturally, intuitively, and enjoyably find real, honest, affordable goodness to meet them wherever they are on their wellness journey, we'd like to hear from you.

Join us to begin YOUR journey and be a part of the Fresh Thyme Market Team!

Fresh Thyme Rewards

• Weekly pay
• Scheduling flexibility
• Paid parental leave
• Team member discount
• Career growth opportunities

Are you passionate about the retail grocery market and organic products? Are you a leader? Are you ready to join one of the fastest growing companies in the retail grocery market?

If so, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is the place for you! Our unique business model, fast paced and growing environment, promote-from-within culture, and excellent benefits make Fresh Thyme the best employer in the grocery market.

Careers have been blooming at Fresh Thyme since our inception in 2012 - yours should be no different!

The successful Continuous Improvement Sr. Manager must have a passion for not being satisfied with the status quo. The person in this position is responsible for using Lean Six Sigma principles to drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence through the Continuous Improvement Specialist team.

Complacency is definitely NOT something that the CI Sr. Manager adheres to. They are motivated to pursue positive change and work cross-functionally in leading the team in recommended changes.

The Continuous Improvement Sr. Manager leads the improvement efforts and trains others to implement them. This role works directly with the Senior Leadership Team to recommend cross-company initiatives and leads the Continuous Improvement Specialist team in planning, scheduling, and implementing continuous improvement activities for the organization.

Being organized and adept at weighing and managing expectations and company priorities is key for a successful continuous improvement leader since there can be competition for what is handled and when.

This role reports to the VP Operations and is in-office Mon-Wed, and remote Thursday / Friday. Travel 50%+.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, train the Continuous Improvement Specialist team through all aspects of the employee life cycle; to include talent acquisition, onboarding, training, development, performance reviews, etc.
• Works directly with the Senior Leadership team. Using tools, research, data, and trends, implements strategic recommendations of cross-company improvement focus areas and initiatives to support company growth and plan attainment.
• Clearly define program objectives and scope, evaluate and prioritize potential improvements based on gains and required effort.

Identify available resources (for example, people, material, and finances). Establish implementation plan. Specify deliverables, outcome indicators, and performance-measured indicators.

Establish criteria for the project's success and articulate the statement of constraints / limiting factors.

• Lead team through data collection and analysis to identify opportunities for process improvement, waste removal, and cost reduction for operational processes, procedure, and performance using evaluation tools.
• Assists with development and implements strategic plans that outline the tasks, schedules, budget, resources, and milestones needed to achieve the multi-period and multi-year company goals.
• Plan, facilitate, and execute continuous improvement events using Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies (RCA, DMAIC, Process Tree Diagrams, Impact / Difficulty Matrix, etc.

to drive sustainable operational improvements.

• Teach, lead, and coach cross-functional teams on problem-solving tools and methodology to drive a structured approach to continuous improvement.
• Directly responsible for continuously improving processes and leading CI projects targeted at improving Sales Goals, Inventory Levels, and Department Margins - delivering the project results on time.

Question until root cause is identified, insist visibility to identified issue, lead problem-solving.

• Act as a change agent in the organization by motivating change and implementing continuous improvement processes, while applying and improving existing methodologies.
• Resolve technical problems such as equipment, product, reporting, technology, and resource availability. Specifying obstacles and ways to overcome them through continuous improvement.
• Regularly monitor the implementation of solutions to achieve objectives and expected benefits.
• Provide project updates to the leadership team and project stakeholders highlighting project status, adherence to the project time plan, work accomplished, quick wins, points of escalation, elements of risk and the associated mitigation plans.
• Appropriately implement principles of governance through established project management processes, methodologies, and tools to maintain consistency and alignment across the project.
• Actively participate in project meetings, discussions, and collaborative sessions to provide input, share updates, and contribute to decision-making processes.
• Create and maintain project documentation which informs relevant project updates through status reports, meeting minutes, and documented deliverables, to ensure a comprehensive record of project progress.
• Lead the standardization changes across the organization with the support of key business partners and the Continuous Improvement team.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to coordinate efforts, share information, and ensure the successful integration of process.
• Provide subject matter expertise to provide valuable insights and recommendations to effectively and expeditiously problem-solve.
• Advanced ability to navigate ongoing change in project scope, priorities, and ways of working to meet the needs of the business
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent required. Master's Degree or equivalent preferred.
• 5+ years in Project Management, Project Management / Quality Improvement Methodology Certifications Required (Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt required, Black Belt preferred)
• 3+ years in leadership of project teams
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, including advanced skills with Excel
• Demonstrated ability to work in high paced and changing environments
• Metric-use to link projects to strategic operational objectives

Key Competencies Desired for Success

Strategic Mindset : Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies. Articulates a clear vision for the business;

maintains a long-term, big-picture view; foresees obstacles and opportunities; generates breakthrough ideas. Keeps abreast of global and regional trends that impact the business or organization (e.

g., technological, competitive, social, economic); understands the position of the organization within a global context; promotes a global mindset when looking at issues and problems.

• Action Oriented : Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Develops strategies that can be translated into specific objectives and plans (with contingencies); integrates and aligns efforts across functions, locations, and / or businesses;

has realistic yet aggressive timeframes for achieving objectives.

Plans and Aligns : Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. Assigns clear authority and accountability, directs initiatives while maintaining operating effectiveness, monitors results.

Plans to make sure critical resources are lined up for organizational priorities.

Develops Talent : Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization's goals. Fosters personal development and excellence;

nurtures commitment to a common vision and shared values; gives people opportunity and latitude to grow and achieve; inspires others to address new challenges.

Manages Ambiguity : Operating effectively, even when things are uncertain, or the way forward is not clear. Applies broad knowledge and previous experience when addressing complex issues;

defines issues clearly despite ambiguity; takes all critical information into account when making decisions.

Character and Personal Attributes :

• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills for maintaining effective business relationships with peers, senior management, customers, and vendors.
• Experienced strategic, forward-thinking, creative leader with high ethical standards and demonstrated sound judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, both written and oral which transcend diverse audiences.
• Ability to set short and long-range goals with action steps for accomplishing results.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and promote a positive working environment, spirit of cooperation, and positive reactions to change and conflict resolution.
• Experience working with remote leaders, employees, and partners.
• Creates an environment that facilitates the collection of input and ideas from others; fosters collaboration across the organization;

removes barriers to collaboration and teamwork; anticipates and works to resolve potential or emerging conflicts.

Takes decisive action and leads through difficult initiatives, champions' new ideas and initiatives; projects self-assurance and unshakable confidence;

decisively confronts and resolves issues.

• Treats all individuals fairly and with respect; performs in accord with expressed beliefs and commitments; maintains high ethical standards and integrity.
• Maintains composure, resisting stress and working constructively under pressure; responds resourcefully to change and ambiguity;

conveys an openness and desire for learning.

• Ability to work varied hours / days as business dictates.
• Prolonged sitting and standing,
• No regular lifting requirements, occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
25 days ago