Logistics Senior Continuous Improvement Manager

Regional leadership position (up to 50 - 75% regional travel) responsible for leading improved productivity results by incorporating voice of the customer feedback into Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives. Assist manufacturing plants/distribution centers (DCs) with CI/Maintenance Excellence efforts by tracking and communicating progress related to objectives, specific improvement initiatives and efforts designated by the CI senior director, operating executives, and business partners.

Coach manufacturing plant/distribution center CI Leaders (CILs) in creating teams and equip them with the tools/knowledge to achieve goals and improve productivity. Perform all jobs safely, efficiently and accurately to maintain and improve the performance of the entire division in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability (SQR) and our Customer 1st strategy. Provide leadership that embodies our 7 Kroger Manufacturing High Performance Work System principles.

Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

• Lead, develop, and support manufacturing plant/DC CILs during certification training and with daily responsibilities
• Assist manufacturing plant/DC teams in eliminating waste and reducing process variation/operational costs
• Gain agreement with the appropriate teams on value-added focal areas for the plant/DC
• Assist in recruiting/training green/black belt learners and support them in project selection, execution, and sustainment
• Facilitate best practice sharing from six sigma projects and serve as liaison between plants/DCs
• Work with manufacturing plant/DCs to support and monitor the Total Process Control (TPC) problem solving methodology
• Support/develop glide paths and actions plans, monitor reliability metrics and DC asset utilization
• Provide engineering project Vertical Start-Up (VSU) guidance related to CI and goal achievement
• Provide leadership/direction for Kroger Down Time (KDT)
• Drive changeover time reduction to improve productivity/equipment uptime
• Partner with internal/external consultants to drive CI implementation efforts
• Regional travel of up to 50% to 75%
• Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (ideally Manhattan WMS)
• Labor Management System (LMS) implementation and labor standards
• Continuous improvement influence across multiple sites
• Deep continuous improvement, engineering and automation experience
• Distribution center layout and design experience
• Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
• Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
• Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing and Supply Chain Food Safety and Quality Principles
• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field
• 2+ years of demonstrated success/leadership of the essential job functions within multiple/diverse product line plant and/or distribution center assignments
• 2+ years successful leadership of functional assignment within core CI responsibilities such as TPC, Belt Program, Quality Systems and recruitment
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing/distribution operations working with LEAN principles
• Ability to import raw data, utilize templates/tools and develop action plans
• Demonstrated competence in materials/training methods
• Demonstrated ability to use statistics to develop process analyses and application to operation challenges