Quality Improvement Associate Jobs in Delaware (NOW HIRING)

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we're committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Drive operational excellence and transform the way we work as a Continuous Improvement Manager 3. In this role, you will lead the adoption and execution of the Continuous Improvement Model, empowering team members to identify opportunities, solve problems, and implement sustainable process enhancements. You will partner across functions to deliver measurable results, streamline operations, and foster a culture of innovation and efficiency. This role is ideal for a strategic, results-oriented professional who thrives on improving processes, developing teams, and making a tangible impact on business performance.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Become a business partner with operations & functional management, to identify opportunities, utilizing systematic problem solving (including Root Cause Analysis, Kaizens, Loss Analysis and DMAIC methodology) to eradicate losses while focusing on People-Process-Data to obtain measurable and sustainable results.
• Utilizes Lean, Six Sigma techniques and CI tools to lead the organization in data-based decision making and driving actions to generate measurable improvement driving behavioral change across the operation through CI tools, methodology and coaching.
• Manage Improvement Projects through project plan development, results tracking and leading and coaching site leaders through project execution process.
• Delivers effective Continuous Improvement training courses (LEAN Training, Belt training, etc.) and programs to help increase team capability and awareness of the Continuous Improvement tools. The training should be tailored to meet organizational needs and priorities.
• Implement, support and coach site Management Operating System (MOS), including Tier meetings, KPI development and tracking and standard work.
• Facilitates Kaizen and 90-Day Improvement events in which we effectively build and lead focused and empowered teams to address systemic problems.
• Ability to diagnose site losses and deliver breakthrough financial results on a continuous basis.
• Develop and implement a CI communication plan for process improvement efforts.
• Serve as subject matter expert for CI Methodology, CI Tools and the implementation of Daily Process controls to drive operational improvements.
• Actively participate in benchmarking and CI Network connections to identify, translate and promote best practices that can be applied in the plant.
• Support achievement of site conversation targets and identify cost reduction opportunities.
• Participation in development and execution of Company CI Strategy.
• Timely communication, tracking and reporting on project progress, results, and deviations from the project plan with key stakeholders.
• Organize regular meetings with key stakeholders to share project status updates, define next steps to raise the performance bar, review plans to deliver sustainable SQDCSM improvements.
• Promotes the transformation from a reactive organizational culture to one that is more preventative and predictable, utilizing data driven decision-making, sustainable actions, and the Continuous Improvement tools.
• Develops and participates in Rewards and Recognition programs to promote the use of Continuous improvement and recognizing team successes.
• Ensures deliverables support the 4-Ps. People (Safety, Retention, Increased Engagement and Empowerment), Products (consistency in products, quality of products, reliability of service), Profitability (support the attainment of key initiatives and improved competitive results), Planet (support the green initiatives).
• Ability to effectively manage Site CI Manager 1.
• Effective coaching and mentoring of CI Ambassadors and CI Managers.
• Gains a solid understanding of the Company's key initiatives, competitive priorities, accountabilities and ensures linkage of continuous improvement efforts with these goals.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent related work experience.
• 7-10 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, and/or Operations.
• Must have high operations process knowledge.
• Travel 25% to support other CI Initiatives.
• Must possess knowledge of LEAN principles, Problem Solving Tools (RCA, DMAIC), Six Sigma, TQM, TPM and SPC.
• Combination of business, interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills.
• Strong Leadership skills in leading teams of people.
• Self-starter and motivated by challenge.
• Strong sense of teamwork with high level of individual contribution.
• Ability to learn new concepts, combine with common sense, and effectively apply to problem solving.
• Strong communication, organization, and presentation skills.
• Able to communicate and work with teams at all organizational levels from Senior management to shop floor.
• Willingness to promote and drive change.
• Proficiency in O365 Tools (Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel).
• Ability to support all Shift (1st, 2nd, & 3rd) on Continuous Improvement initiatives.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Mathematics, Operations, Logistics, Food Science, Animal Science and Supply Chain are preferred, but all majors will be considered.
• Power Apps/BI Experience.
• Minitab.
• Bilingual.
• Prior exposure to Continuous Improvement or Operational Excellence tools.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment.

Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements

• Position is mostly in plant environment but requires office work and extensive travel.
• May need to move light equipment or supplies from one place to another.
• May need to access files, supplies and equipment.
• Work activity is mostly in plant environments.

When in a plant environment:

• Exposure primarily consists of wet and moist floors which include metal and plastic grating surfaces.
• May be exposed to temperatures of 28 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with both ambient and 100% humidity.
• May handle products from 25 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
• May be exposed to noise ranges of 50 db. to 110 db.
• May be exposed to all chemicals found in poultry, food and processing plant.
• Must wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company.

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.