Senior Continuous Improvement Manager

job purpose

The Senior Continuous Improvement Manager serves as a strategic leader and architect of Fairlife’s Operational Excellence (Op‑Ex) framework, driving enterprise‑level transformation and sustainable performance improvement at the Webster, NY site. This senior role is accountable for shaping long‑term Continuous Improvement (CI) strategy, elevating operational capabilities, and embedding a culture of excellence that advances safety, quality, productivity, and financial outcomes.

Acting as a senior change agent, this leader influences cross‑functional direction, mentors CI practitioners, and ensures alignment between site‑level initiatives and Fairlife’s broader organizational goals. The ideal candidate brings deep technical mastery, proven leadership in large‑scale transformation, and the ability to inspire cultural change through vision, influence, and disciplined execution.

responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Lead the strategic deployment of the Operational Excellence framework across the site, ensuring alignment with fairlife’s enterprise CI roadmap and long‑term business objectives.
• Partner with senior site and corporate leadership to shape CI strategy, prioritize initiatives, and embed Op‑Ex principles into daily operations and long‑range planning.
• Serve as the senior advisor on Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies, guiding leaders in decision‑making and capability development.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Provide senior‑level leadership to the Op‑Ex team, including oversight of CI Practitioners ensuring high performance, engagement, and professional growth.
• Build organizational CI capability by developing structured training programs, coaching leaders at all levels, and establishing clear expectations for CI behaviors and performance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, empowerment, and continuous learning across the site.
• Lead critical and business impactful problem solving initiatives.

Operational Excellence Deployment

• Oversee the design, execution, and governance of CI initiatives, ensuring rigorous project selection, scoping, and prioritization to maximize impact and ROI.
• Lead and facilitate advanced problem‑solving workshops, Kaizen events, and cross‑functional improvement efforts that deliver measurable, sustainable results.
• Champion cultural transformation efforts that embed continuous improvement into the site’s operating rhythm, including daily management systems, tiered accountability, and standard work.

Performance Management & Analytics

• Establish, monitor, and analyze key performance indicators to identify systemic gaps and drive strategic corrective actions.
• Own the Op‑Ex Scorecard and develop multi‑year CI/Kaizen roadmaps aligned with corporate and site‑level objectives.
• Partner with Finance to validate financial impacts, track savings, and ensure transparency of CI‑related value creation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Present insights, progress updates, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Advocate for the Operational Excellence brand across Fairlife, promoting alignment, engagement, and enthusiasm for CI initiatives.
• Provide ongoing cross‑functional coaching to strengthen CI deployment and ensure consistent application of Op‑Ex too