Continuous Improvement Director

Company: Danone
Location: Dallas
Posted on: March 17, 2025

Job Description:

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Continuous Improvement Director (IWS Director) based in our Dallas, Texas beverage manufacturing facility! In this role you will be responsible for setting the factory direction to deliver business needs and priorities. You will play a crucial role in integrating IWS (Integrated Work Systems) efforts at the site, ensuring competitive products are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively. You will lead operationally and develop teams to enhance both functional and managerial skills, creating high performance work teams. You will contribute to Danone's corporate image by establishing the right culture within the facility, relationships with the local community and union representatives. You will also coach and advise line trios and coach and teach on the floor.RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

• Build capabilities of organization around pillars, daily management systems, and equipment owners.
• Responsible for IWS promotion, communication & education.
• Drive and coordinate the entire IWS program effectively.
• Ensure the establishment of processes that encourage reapplication and adherence to a unified standard across the site.
• Lead IWS meetings to address and resolve site-wide issues that impede progress, adjusting pillar focuses as needed.
• You will lead site pillar review process - ensure PDCA thought process.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, foster strong relationships, and effectively drive and coordinate the entire IWS program at the plant.
• Ensure issues and problems are visible to leadership for prompt resolution.
• Daily consultant to site leader, pillar owners, department managers, line trios and equipment owners.
• Ensure work processes are in place to drive reapplication and one common standard.
• Work closely with other IWS Directors to reapply best practices.
• Set the Factory Strategy and Master Plan required to deliver business, manufacturing and people priorities, in conjunction with Danone's growth and improvement strategies. This includes developing long and short-term performance metrics.
• Lead the factory organization on the journey to zero losses.
• Accelerate performance rate of improvement, improving KPI's.
• Build productivity pipeline to secure cost reduction (Plant and COGS).
• Lead IWS coach for the site to support a 24/7 plant operation.
• Strengthen the factory organization through capability building of all Danoners at the site.
• Drive organizational development, high performing teams through IWS implementation and progression.
• Develop internal, talented leaders who can grow within Danone through functional ownership (First Line Leaders and Plant Leadership Team members).
• Be a visible and active leader, promotes a favorable and productive culture for all associates.
• Ensure safety and quality standards are not compromised through the IWS implementation progression.
• Develop and maintain a strong local talent pipeline and prepare succession planning for all positions.
• Promote and ensure positive associate and union relations.MAIN INTERFACES:
• Plant Management team members.
• Front Line Leadership and Equipment Owners.
• Functional Leaders.
• External Representatives & Local Authorities.KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
• Right First Time.
• Product Conformity & Consumer Complaints.
• Manufacturing Controllable Cost / COGS Productivity.
• Customer Service.
• Operational Efficiency.
• CO2 reduction through Utilities Consumption and Loss Reduction.
• Danone People Survey Scores, Culture & Team Succession Plans.
• IWS Implementation Progression and Capability Building.Danone North America offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.About you
• A bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or related field with over 10 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment is required.
• Experience with a TPM/Lean (Manufacturing) culture is required, while knowledge of IWS work processes and tools is preferred.
• Experienced change agent with a background in managing direct reports within a matrix reporting structure. Ability to drive change with a positive attitude and influential style is essential.
• Proven track record in enhancing organizational capabilities related to pillars, daily management systems, and equipment owners is a must.
• You have experience with budget and cost management and have excellent Project Management experience, required.
• Strong influencing skills and the ability to interact effectively with all management levels are crucial.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to make decisions in ambiguous situations and adapt to change are necessary.
• Process-oriented individual with the ability to establish standards and introduce innovative work methods is a must.
• You have the ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate. Work schedules could include days, nights and weekends as needed.About DanoneAt Danone North America, you'll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world like Activia, Silk, Two Good, Oikos, evian, and Happy Family. You'll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps in the world, working together to make sure our brands create real benefits for people, communities, and the planet. We have 6,000+ employees across the U.S. and Canada. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.Danone North America doesn't just welcome what makes you unique, we value it. We're proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We recruit, employ, train and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other protected status. Faithful to our values of openness and humanism, all of our employees share in the commitment to engage one another with dignity and respect.
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Keywords: Danone, Dallas , Continuous Improvement Director, Executive , Dallas, Texas