Continuous Improvement Manager Jobs in Rochester, NY

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

Position Summary

The Process Improvement Project Specialistis responsible forleading and supporting cross-functional projects designed to improve manufacturing operations, increase efficiency, reduce costs, improve quality and safety, and enhance overall business performance across Upstate Niagara Cooperative's manufacturing facilities.

This position combines project management, process improvement, data analysis, and operational problem-solving . The Process Improvement Project Specialist will work closely with Plant Managers, Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, and other functional leaders toidentifyopportunities, develop solutions, implement improvements, and ensure sustainable results.

The ideal candidate is a strong project manager who can work effectively in a manufacturing environment, understand operational challenges, organize complex initiatives, engage employees at all levels, and translate data and observations into practical improvements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead assigned improvement projects frominitialconcept through implementation, stabilization, and project closeout.
• Develop project charters,objectives, timelines, milestones, resource requirements, and measures of success.
• Establish project plans andmaintainschedules to ensure projectsremainon track.
• Coordinate cross-functional project teams andfacilitateproject meetings.
• Identifyproject risks, barriers, dependencies, and resource needs and elevate issues whenappropriate.
• Provide regular project updates to leadership, including progress, challenges,financial impact, and expected outcomes.
• Ensure project documentation, action items, decisions, and results are maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate multiple projects simultaneously while prioritizing initiatives based on business needs and expected impact.

Process Improvement

• Identifyopportunities to improve manufacturing processes, productivity, quality, safety, reliability, laborutilization, material usage, and operating costs.
• Observe and evaluate current-state processes toidentifywaste, inefficiencies, bottlenecks, duplication, and opportunities for standardization.
• Develop and document future-state processes and improvement recommendations.
• Utilize continuous improvement principles and tools such as Lean, root cause analysis, process mapping, 5S, standard work, and PDCA/A3 methodologies asappropriate.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and problem-solving activities for recurring operational issues.
• Partner with plant leadership and employees to develop practical solutions that can be effectively implemented in the manufacturing environment.
• Assistwith the development and implementation of standard operating procedures, work instructions, and standardized processes.
• Identifyopportunities toleveragetechnology, automation, equipment, systems, or process changes to improve operational performance.

Manufacturing & Operational Improvement

• Work directly with manufacturing facilities to evaluate production processes andidentifyopportunities for improvement.
• Analyze production performance, downtime, laborutilization, yield, scrap, quality, throughput, and other operational measures.
• Partner with Maintenance and Engineering toidentifyopportunities to improve equipment reliability, preventative maintenance, downtime, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Partner with Quality and Food Safety to ensure process improvementsmaintain compliance with regulatory, food safety, quality, and company requirements.
• Support projects involving production scheduling, staffing, workflow, material movement, inventory, sanitation, changeovers, and other operational activities.
• Assistin evaluating capital improvement opportunities and developing business cases whenappropriate.
• Support implementation of new equipment, technology, systems, and processes thatimpactplant operations.
• Work with plant teams to ensure improvements are effectively adopted and sustained after implementation.

Data & Performance Analysis

• Collect, analyze, and interpret operational and financial data toidentifytrends, opportunities, and areas of concern.
• Establishappropriate projectmetrics and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Develop reports, dashboards, and presentations to communicate project performance and results.
• Quantify the financial and operational impact of improvement initiatives, including labor savings, productivity improvements, waste reduction, quality improvements, and cost avoidance.
• Validate project results and ensure improvements are supported by measurable data.
• Monitor implemented improvements to confirm that gains are sustained over time.

Change Management & Employee Engagement

• Build strong working relationships with employees and leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Engage frontline employees inidentifyingproblems and developing solutions.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, process-mapping sessions, and improvement events.
• Communicate the purpose, benefits, and expected impact of process changes to affected employees and stakeholders.
• Assistleaders with change management and adoption of new processes.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and encourage employees toidentifyopportunities to improve the way work is performed.
• Recognize and address resistance to change in a constructive and professional manner.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Food Safety, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, IT, and other departments on company initiatives.
• Serve as a project resource and subject-matter partner for process improvement initiatives across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Facilitate collaboration between plants toidentifyand share best practices.
• Identifyopportunities to standardize successful processes across multiple facilities.
• Participate in company-wide initiatives thatimpactmanufacturing operations and business performance.

Additional Responsibilities

• Travel between Upstate Niagara Cooperative manufacturing facilities asrequired.
• Participate in plant meetings, operational reviews, project meetings, and leadership discussions as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of process improvement methodologies, project management practices, manufacturing technology, and industry best practices.
• Support special projects and other operational initiatives as assigned.
• Perform all dutiesin accordance withcompany policies, safety requirements, food safety standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Project Management, ora relatedfieldrequired.
• Equivalentcombination of education and relevant manufacturing/project management experience may be considered.

Experience

• 3-5 years of experience in project management, process improvement, operations, manufacturing, engineering, ora relatedfield.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects from planning through implementation andresultsmeasurement.
• Manufacturing or food manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working directly with plant operations and frontline employees preferred.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, or other structured problem-solving methodologies preferred.

Knowledge,Skillsand Abilities

• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to analyze data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and operational performance.
• Ability to lead projects without direct authority over project team members.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with employees and leaders at all levels.
• Ability to influence and drive change in a collaborative environment.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with project management, reporting, process mapping, or data visualization tools preferred.
• Ability to travel between company locations as needed.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee maybe requiredto walk through manufacturing and warehouse environments, stand for extended periods, climb stairs, and occasionally work in areas requiring personal protective equipment. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move materials or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. Specific physical requirements may vary depending on project assignments and work location.

This positionregularly worksin both an office and manufacturingenvironment. The employee may be exposed to varying temperatures, noise, wet or humid conditions, moving equipment, and other conditions commonly associated with food manufacturing facilities. Appropriate personal protective equipment and safety procedures must be followed while working in manufacturing areas.

Success in This Role

Success in this position will be measured by the individual's ability to:

• Successfully leadprojects from conceptthrough implementation.
• Deliver measurable improvements in cost, productivity, quality, safety, reliability, or efficiency.
• Establish sustainable processes rather than short-term fixes.
• Build strong partnerships with plant leadership and frontline employees.
• Identifyand prioritize high-value improvement opportunities.
• Effectively communicate project status, risks, andresults to leadership.
• Replicate successful improvements and best practices across manufacturing facilities.
• Develop credibility as a trusted project leader and continuous improvementresource.

Pay: $87K-$115K a year*

*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

:

:

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.