Senior Director of Transformation and CI

Job Summary

As the Senior Director of Transformation and Continuous Improvement, this individual will lead the charge in developing, planning, and executing SunOpta’s Supply Chain strategic plan aligning with our Operational Excellence journey. This role will center on building processes and systems that drive an operating model tailored to the elimination of waste, improving customer satisfaction, and increasing our Company’s growth strategy.  This position will also provide oversight, and direction, to identify, train and deploy resources to apply state-of-the-art approaches and tools to achieve Operational Excellence and process improvements.

Essential Functions of the Job

• Lead SunOpta Integrated Supply Chain, Continuous Improvement and Productivity Pillar to drive standards. 
• Establish and standardize business and operational processes through facilitated work sessions, process & tool development, and process pilots then educate and transfer ownership to end state users and process owners. 
• Support the facilitation of Plant Kaizens, brainstorming sessions, workshops, problem-solving sessions and process mapping exercises to bring alignment, extract knowledge and improve performance. 
• Monitor business and operational performance through metrics, identifies gaps in performance and facilitates problem solving activities to close performance gaps. 
• Foster an environment where training, coaching, and facilitation of continuous improvement tools and methodologies such as lean, six sigma, kaizen, quality, and process management are adopted. 
• Lead and execute productivity improvement projects across or within functions/operational sites via Lean methodologies. 
• Facilitate flow of information/processes/procedures and helps troubleshoot and resolve issues. 
• Adhere to company GMP’s (good manufacturing practices), safety procedures and all other quality processes. 
• Work with Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ensure effective organizational design and that role is correctly organized, defined, documented, and communicated to all employees.
• Ensure effective safety procedures, tools and record keeping are managed through CI site leadership.
• Lead strategy and transformation setting in response to delivering company capabilities to ensure Operational Excellence.
• Oversee, direct, and organize the project work within the context of cross functional project teams supporting initiatives from finance, operations, supply chain, administration and IT teams
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement and innovation that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Lead the organization to excellence through transformation initiatives in all aspects of supply chain, IT, operations and administration.
• Lead programs and projects using innovative, agile and project management tools and techniques in the strategic development, change management and implementation of initiatives to ensure the organization’s ability to successfully implement a business transformation agenda and realize intended financial COGS reductions.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Plant CI Managers will report directly into this role

Minimum Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• Continual Improvement Process
• Kaizen
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent training and/or certification required.
• Experience working in and complete understanding of a GMP manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, process management, operations, industrial engineering, or engineering management.
• Must have at least ten years in process optimization, operations, or business management.
• Must have a minimum of 2-3 years Director Level experience.
• Advanced skills in the use of data management tools to monitor progress toward goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• A graduate degree in engineering, business or an MBA concentrating in Business Administration, Economics, Project Management, Accounting/Finance is preferred.
• Lean/Six Sigma Master Black Belt or equivalent training preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Outstanding verbal, written, multi-tasking and presentation skills.
• Ability to create momentum and foster transformational change.
• Bilingual in Spanish is beneficial.
• Must have a working knowledge of MS Word and PowerPoint and be proficient with MS Excel software.
• Candidate must be an experienced leader that can work with cross-functional business groups to apply continuous improvement concepts and principles across the organization.
• Must have an inherent “data-based” approach with the ability to plan, acquire, analyze, and interpret operational and business data to drive improvements and provide direction/focus.
• Candidate must have a continuous improvement/problem solving “mindset” and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large teams in reviews, process improvement events and/or Kaizens as well as leading training and providing coaching support.
• Possess a disciplined approach to project execution with a track record of positive behavioral results.
• Incumbent will be self-motivated/driven and able to create enthusiasm for improvement initiatives.

Additional Considerations

• Travel is required to various SunOpta locations and for meetings or other job-related functions. Travel expectations are up to 50%.
• This position will office at our Eden Prairie Innovation Center (EPIC) Headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN.
• Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Approximately 50% of work is performed in an office environment. 50% of work will involve being in the agricultural or manufacturing environment.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED