Continuous Improvement Engineering Manager

Continuous Improvement Engineering Manager at Glanbia

Join this dynamic team focused on delivering better nutrition for every step of life’s journey!

The Opportunity

The Continuous Improvement Engineering Manager is responsible for leading and driving First Time Quality (FTQ) improvement initiatives at the West Haven facility through a robust, data-driven Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) process. This role serves as the site leader for continuous improvement activities, partnering closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, R&D, Procurement, and Commercialization teams to identify root causes, eliminate waste, reduce Cost of Quality (COQ), improve process capability, and establish sustainable manufacturing practices.

The position will be accountable for improving manufacturing performance, reducing rework and quality holds, driving CAPA effectiveness, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement through structured problem-solving methodologies and operational excellence tools.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing improvement leader who can drive FTQ improvement, reduce quality losses and rework, and lead sustainable operational excellence initiatives across the West Haven site. This person should be equally comfortable analyzing manufacturing data, leading cross-functional problem-solving teams, and influencing site leadership to implement change.

Essential Functions

First Time Quality (FTQ) Improvement

• Lead cross-functional investigations into quality issues, deviations, non-conformances, and recurring process failures.
• Ensure effective root cause analysis utilizing methodologies such as 5 Why, Fishbone, Fault Tree Analysis, and statistical analysis tools.
• Drive timely implementation and verification of corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor CAPA effectiveness and identify systemic opportunities for improvement.
• Develop a data-driven approach to CAPA prioritization and execution.
• Lead initiatives to improve site FTQ performance and reduce product quality failures.
• Analyze manufacturing data, process capability, and specification alignment to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Drive reduction of recurring quality issues through sustainable process improvements.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Identify, prioritize, and execute continuous improvement projects focused on safety, quality, cost, delivery, and productivity.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Operational Excellence methodologies to reduce waste and process variability.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping exercises, and process optimization projects.
• Establish standardized work practices and support development of manufacturing best practices.
• Develop and maintain a prioritized site continuous improvement roadmap.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Quality, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, and R&D teams.
• Facilitate review meetings to communicate improvement opportunities, project status, and CAPA progress.
• Influence stakeholders at all levels to support operational excellence objectives.
• Provide coaching and training on problem-solving, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.

General

• Work with QA and plant management to ensure common objectives are agreed on and achieved (e.g. master cleaning protocols, microbiological quality and sanitation procedures).
• Work with Supply Chain to ensure that co-manufacturing outcomes meet Glanbia expectations.
• Set expectations to promote and grow a culture of safety as a non-negotiable.
• Either directly or indirectly ensure all necessary operator and management training is understood and achieved.
• Assist with the development of SOPs and educating operators on processes.
• Provide nutritional product oversight for quality, sensory, and functional properties.
• Work with Glanbia Quality team to provide effective quality assurance functions & resolutions and minimize quality complaints.
• Lead the communication effort within Technical Engineering.
• Grow and develop people’s skills and capabilities to build a strong global footprint.
• Provide process and project support to new capital projects
• Integrate key financial factors into all decision making.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related technical field.
• 5 or more years in manufacturing, quality, process engineering, or continuous improvement role.
• Experience conducting and leading CAPA investigations and root cause analysis in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis and process capability concepts.
• Proven track record of implementing measurable process improvements.
• Experience working in cross-functional manufacturing environments.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and R&D teams.
• Strong project management and leadership skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience in food, nutrition, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, flavors, or related process manufacturing industries.
• Experience with Statistical Process Control [SPC], Minitab, Power BI, or similar analytics tools.
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, FDA, or other regulated manufacturing systems.
• Experience with digital manufacturing systems and manufacturing automation platforms

Typical Physical Activity and Environment

The physical demands and work environment described reflect those encountered while performing the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Regularly involves talking or listening, sitting, and the use of hands and fingers.
• Frequently involves reaching with hands and arms, standing and walking.
• Occasionally involves crouching, stooping, and/or kneeling.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to reach/handle items, and work with the fingers.
• Involves light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature.
• Should be able to identify and distinguish colors, see clearly at 20 inches or closer and 20 feet or more, judge distances and spatial relationships, and adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus.

Environmental Conditions

• May be exposed to hazardous noise levels (i.e. mills, industrial fans)
• May be exposed to fumes and toxic chemicals.
• May work in areas with mechanical moving parts.

Travel Requirements

Minimum overnight travel (up to 15%) by land and/or air.

Where And How You Will Work

The opportunity will be based at our West Haven, CT location.

What We Would Like to Offer You

The opportunity to develop your career on a global stage, continuous learning through an on-demand learning platform, and a competitive compensation package including staff discounts, generous family leave policy, health & dental plan, competitive salary, 401K. Glanbia provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired in Connecticut. This range may not be applicable to other locations. Factors that could be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, years of experience and comparison to current employees already in this role. The typical candidate is hired below midpoint of the range. Annual salary for Connecticut-based employees for this role is $100,000 to $130,000.

About Glanbia 

Glanbia is a better nutrition company with three divisions: Performance Nutrition, Health & Nutrition and Dairy Nutrition. Collectively and with our partners we offer an incredible breadth of expertise in nutrition. We employ a team of 5800 people, work with global food and beverage companies, and sell our award-winning and market-leading brands and ingredients in more than 100 countries worldwide

At Glanbia, we celebrate diversity, because we know that our individual strengths make us stronger together. We welcome and encourage interest from a variety of candidates, we will give your application consideration, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

At Glanbia, our culture celebrates individuality, knowing that together we are more.