Continuous Improvement Manager (Reynosa)

About the Company

Ferrara Group is a privately held company headquartered in Chicago. We are the #1 sugar confectioner in the U.S. with sales in more than 40 countries. Our passionate team of over 9,000 employees delivers hundreds of iconic and beloved products. In the U.S., more than 67 million households annually enjoy our popular brands such as NERDS, Brach's, Jelly Belly, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy, and Trolli. In Brazil, Dori is a household name with products such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100. In France, Carambar & Co has earned loyal customers with brands Carambar, Lutti, Krema, Poulain, Vichy and Terry's.

About the Role

The Continuous Improvement Manager drives site initiatives to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and deliver cost savings by building capability in manufacturing methodologies, systems, and tools. The role requires in‑person attendance and flexibility to support production schedules, effective communication, and real‑time problem solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Deploy strategic methodologies, systems, and tools including Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Autonomous Maintenance, Planned Maintenance, Focused Improvement (SMED, Problem Solving, Green Belt/Black Belt Projects) to deliver site OEE and cost savings goals.
• Drive and support loss ideations and eradication, track projects for visibility, and provide tracking and regular communication to plant functions and manufacturing leadership regarding site performance.
• Integrate system health and project monitoring into current structure (Operational Reviews: huddles, daily, weekly, monthly) to ensure sustainability of improvements.
• Identify and troubleshoot chronic and sporadic losses by engaging front‑line employees, supervisors, and management.
• Drive losses to zero using problem‑solving methodologies and utilize systems and tools to reduce unplanned stoppages, optimize planned stoppages, and eliminate speed loss, waste and rework.
• Drive restoration to the base condition of bottleneck equipment through AM and PM execution (CILs, Centerlines, Defect Identification, 5S, Visual Management).
• Build capability in front‑line and salaried teams to plan, schedule, and execute work; install and sustain improvements.
• Identify and implement technology (artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital connected worker) improvements.
• Develop and execute training for front‑line employees and leadership on methodologies, systems, and tools.
• Support site implementation of AM and PM by coaching front‑line employees and leaders to build their capability to lead work teams.
• Promote a culture change within the group/site, especially at the front‑line level.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Excellent problem‑solving, analytically minded, and effective communication skills.
• Ability to plan and manage priorities and lead cross‑functional teams across all levels.
• Influence without authority and build effective relationships across all levels.
• Change agent capabilities.
• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a related technical/business field.
• 5+ years of continuous improvement experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years of leadership experience and managing direct reports.Experience leading continuous improvement projects (Lean, TPM, Six Sigma).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Food manufacturing background preferred; S4 experience preferred.
• Will travel to manufacturing sites as required.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we provide comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k), and paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. The salary range for this role is $70,000–$75,000 MXN per month.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy or childcare, or any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.