Job Summary

The Continuous Improvement Engineer supports large-scale industrial bakery operations by driving process optimization, cost reduction, and quality improvement across high-volume, automated production lines. This role focuses on improving efficiency, reducing waste, increasing throughput, and ensuring consistent product quality while maintaining strict food safety and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze end-to-end industrial bakery processes including mixing, fermentation/proofing, baking, cooling, slicing, and packaging

• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen initiatives to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), yield, and labor efficiency

• Identify and eliminate process variation impacting product quality, weight control, and consistency

• Reduce downtime through root cause analysis of equipment failures and process disruptions

• Develop, standardize, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions

• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering teams to implement improvements

• Use data and statistical tools to monitor KPIs (waste, scrap, throughput, changeover time, energy usage)

• Support automation, line balancing, and capacity expansion projects

• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements (HACCP, GMP, SQF, BRC, FDA/USDA as applicable)

• Train production teams on continuous improvement tools and standardized processes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• Experience in industrial food manufacturing, preferably bakery or grain-based products

• Strong knowledge of high-speed production lines and automated equipment

• Proficiency in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies

• Ability to analyze production data and drive fact-based decisions

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

• Experience with OEE systems, MES, or manufacturing analytics tools

• Familiarity with thermal processing, dough handling, and packaging systems

• Project management experience in manufacturing environments

Key Skills

• Process optimization and waste reduction

• Statistical analysis and problem-solving

• Cross-functional leadership

• Equipment and systems understanding

• Change management in union or non-union environments

Physical & Work Requirements

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, moving machinery, and food ingredients

• Ability to work on the production floor for extended periods

• Occasional off-shift or weekend support during trials or implementations

Competitive salary and bonus commensurate with relevant experience

Carolina Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.