Director, Continuous Improvement

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

Director, Continuous Improvement - QSR

If you want to see your work show up on the plant floor and in the P&L, this is that role. The Director, Continuous Improvement (CI) – QSR owns CI strategy and execution across the QSR (Quick Service Restaurants) business unit, aligned to enterprise-wide standards and initiatives. You will deploy the company operating system, OPX360, define processes, and build the scorecards used to identify, plan, and support the attainment of the BU annual KPIs. 

Reporting to the VP, Operations – QSR, you will manage the QSR Regional CI Managers across multiple operating units and plants.  You will serve as the subject matter expert who develops leaders in every functional area, presenting them with equal credibility on the shop floor and in front of senior leadership. Success in this role calls for a proven track record of driving cultural transformation through change management, the ability to lead multiple high-priority projects in a fast-paced environment, and in-depth knowledge of lean methodologies and tools. You will balance strategy with execution and stay comfortably hands-on.

Key Responsibilities

• Deploy the OPX360 Operating System across the BU that translates enterprise strategy into focused initiatives with measurable top and bottom line impact
• Provide vision and leadership for lean deployment across QSR sites, embedding common standards that shift culture and sustain results
• Advance Novolex cultural transformation through knowledge transfer, collaboration, and shared recognition of wins across sites and geographies. Model servant leadership and humility on the shop floor, build an environment where people feel safe to speak up, and champion leader standard work.
• Partner with operating unit and plant leaders to identify capability gaps and target opportunities for rapid process improvement (RPI)
• Lead the determination of CI projects needed to align to the annual productivity improvement targets for the BU. Manage CI projects from inception through delivery against defined plans, budgets, and schedules, with timely status reporting to senior leadership and stakeholders
• Develop leaders who can independently run Kaizen events. Facilitate cross-functional Kaizen events that move core operating metrics: Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Inventory
• Create a culture of daily problem solving. Lead, coach, and mentor a team of CI and Operations professionals, both direct and indirect, to build bench strength across the business unit
• Build and execute a training strategy that develops lean capability at every level, from the shop floor to senior leadership, and pair it with hands-on project work that eliminates waste in manufacturing, administrative, and support functions
• Other duties, as assigned

Critical Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline; Master’s degree or MBA strongly preferred
• 10+ years leading continuous improvement in a multi-site manufacturing environment; converting, packaging, or another high-speed process industry preferred
• Lean certification (Green or Black Belt) and formal project management credentials
• Management-level leadership of engineering, continuous improvement, and technical resources, including indirect and matrixed teams
• Track record of championing change management to build cultural adoption across sites, cultures, and geographies
• Deep working knowledge of manufacturing and distribution operations, with fluency in Kaizen, Six Sigma, and structured problem solving
• Strong facilitation, influencing, and coaching skills, with credibility from the shop floor to the executive team
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office
• Ability to travel up to 75% to provide multi-site support for OPX360 deployment, leadership development, and Kaizen facilitation

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $170-220K+ bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.

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With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact [email protected].

Formerly Pactiv Evergreen