Continuous Improvement Manager

Ag Reserves is seeking an experienced
Continuous Improvement Manager to support our Tree Crops Division and be based at the South Valley Farms office.

The Continuous Improvement Manager is a senior individual-contributor role responsible for advancing operational excellence across farming and processing operations. This role drives strategic alignment of CI initiatives with organizational objectives and leads high-impact projects that enhance safety, cost savings, quality, efficiency, and yield. As a trusted partner, the role coaches teams, builds CI capability, and fosters a culture of sustainable improvement.

The position requires strong analytical skills, expertise in Lean and Six Sigma, and the ability to influence cross functional teams without direct authority.

• Implement and sustain the continuous improvement strategy across farming and processing operations.
• Ensure CI initiatives align with organizational goals and serve as a strategic partner to site leadership.
• Lead large-scale improvement projects focused on cost reduction, waste elimination, efficiency gains, process streamlining, and quality enhancement.
• Manage industrial engineering projects and process optimization projects, including new equipment and process introductions.
• Identify and prioritize top savings opportunities and track measurable results.
• Coach and develop CI Champions and project leaders to build internal CI capability.
• Facilitate Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other CI training sessions and workshops for teams at multiple sites.
• Analyze workflows and performance data to identify trends, risks, and data-driven improvement opportunities.
• Monitor KPIs and report improvement outcomes to senior leadership.
• Standardize processes and best practices across all sites to improve consistency and performance.
• Promote best-in-class safety practices and ensure all improvements align with safety and compliance standards.
• Maintain a visible presence at farming and processing sites to support projects and frontline problem solving.
• Act as a trusted advisor to leadership teams to drive operational excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related field; masters degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, or Process Optimization roles, including 4+ years in manufacturing, food processing, agricultural, or other asset-intensive environments (e.g., livestock, dairy, grain).
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable performance improvements and cost savings in complex operations.
• Expert proficiency in Lean, Six Sigma, and advanced problem-solving methodologies.
• Strong command of statistical tools (SPC, DOE, regression), root cause analysis methods (5 Why, Fishbone, FMEA), and detailed process mapping.
• Ability to analyze large data sets, derive insights, build KPIs, and translate findings into actionable solutions.
• Familiarity with safety, quality and compliance requirements in manufacturing and agricultural settings.
• Proven track record delivering measurable improvements in cost, quality, yield, and throughput.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels without direct authority.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to train and coach on CI methods.
• Experience working in matrixed, multi-site environments.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel up to 25%.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Preferred

Skills:

• Experience with ERP systems and analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Exposure to industrial engineering, equipment optimization or maintenance and reliability strategies (TPM, RCM).
• Familiarity with digital transformation and automation enabled process improvement.

Working conditions:

* The physical demands below describe what is generally required to perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

• Occasionally lift, carry, or move items weighing up to 30 pounds, such as files, materials, or equipment.
• Regularly sit, stand, and walk within an…