Continuous Improvement Manager

Our purpose at Peet’s Coffee is the pursuit of better, better coffee, for people and the planet. Our ambition is to become the chosen brand for coffee lovers around the world, and we know earning that place means an uncompromising focus on quality, craft, and authenticity.

As part of Keurig Dr Pepper and JDE Peet’s, the world’s leading pureplay coffee company, Peet’s is growing as a global coffee brand anchored by a clear set of values that reflect who we are today and where we’re going. We Dare to Amaze, Own It, Make It Simple, and Win Together challenging ourselves every day to do better than the day before.

We've learned that the secret to great coffee is the people who make it, and we apply the same care in selecting and preparing our teams as we do when crafting the perfect cup.

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager will play a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of Alameda Roasting Plant Operations. Your primary responsibility will be to challenge status-quo by analyzing existing systems/processes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes that drive operational excellence.

Salary

$135,000 - $155,000

Location Alameda, CA – Onsite

• Provide leadership to operational functions to drive productivity with a focus on efficiencies, yield, people capability building and waste elimination opportunities.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, recognize, and reward successes and celebrate CI accomplishments while adapting to JDEP’s manufacturing operating system (MOS).
• Lead Lean/Kaizen events across the roasting plant to provide recommendations and implementation of enhancements to existing workflows and processes to increase throughput, reduce cost, improve quality of our products.
• Coordinates efforts to deliver projects to meet annual cost savings goal for the roasting plant.
• Develop and lead routines to drive the measurement of downtime and plans to improve up time via industrial engineering time studies, standard work, and labor standard targets for operations.
• Develop, track, and report KPI’s for the roasting plant(s).
• Examine and evaluate roasting plant performance relative to labor efficiency and provide guidance on strategies to address the gaps.
• Collaborate with roasting plant teams to improve line efficiencies through root cause analysis and lean methods.
• Identify, train, mentor, advocate CI proponents from manufacturing floor to become future CI leaders.
• Design and deliver training material for CI training and the right application of tools/methodologies.
• Collaborate with other functions (Warehouse, HR, Engineering, Quality, IT, Planning, etc.) as necessary to solve supply chain issues.
• Assist in developing performance dashboards for manufacturing and maintenance KPIs.
• Responsible for monthly efficiency reviews with the roasting plant(s).
• Collaborate with maintenance manager to improve maintenance execution and develop effective processes.
• Drive the plant’s digital transformation initiatives by identifying, implementing, and supporting AI/ML and advanced manufacturing technologies that enhance production efficiency, predictive maintenance, quality control, process automation, data visibility, and continuous improvement across operations.
• Influence plant leaders to ensure sustainability of past CI projects and focus on standardization and adoption of improved processes.
• Proactively recommends business solutions through the CI lens and can articulate how continuous improvement tools and process can drive business value.
• Participate in quality & safety improvement programs.
• Lead/support CAPEX project(s) as assigned.

Education/ Experience/ Competency

• A "Can Do" and resourceful attitude & ability to work with diverse teams is a must have to succeed in this role.
• Self-directed able to work autonomously by organizing and prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering; master’s degree preferred.
• Formal training/certification in Lean and Six Sigma with at least 3 -5 years of related experience
• Detailed knowledge of Six Sigma concepts and tools as they relate to minimizing process/product variability.
• Thorough understanding of problem-solving methodologies used in determining root cause and formulating corrective action(s).
• Excellent teaching/coaching skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with people at all organizational levels, from the shop floor up to and including senior level leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and collaboration, not only authority.
• Preferred: Experience with AI/ML and digital manufacturing tools to support the company’s digitization journey, including the use of data analytics, predictive maintenance, process automation, quality monitoring, and real-time production insights to improve operational efficiency, consistency, traceability, and continuous improvement within a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience leading MOS implementations would be a distinct advantage.
• Strong problem solving, troubleshooting, and data analysis skills.
• Strong Microsoft Word, Excel, SQL Experience with work measurement methodologies and tools
• Familiarity with manufacturing ERP systems, D365 preferred.

Communication Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, managers, and vendors

Design: Generates creative solutions; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.

Project Management: Develops clear project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram

Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions. Collects and researches data; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs. Uses intuition and experience to complement data

Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Monitors own work to ensure quality. Demonstrates commitment and supports the Company’s Quality Management System.

Safety and Security: Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly

Other Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of all types of machining and fabrication techniques. Knowledge of manufacturing procedures and techniques.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. Requires a high level of manual and finger dexterity to build and test prototype instruments. The employee must be able to visually distinguish detail and other fine characteristics of materials and objects. The employee is regularly required to sit; occasionally climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is sometimes exposed to risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

This description outlines the role’s essential functions but may evolve with business needs.

What We Offer: We’re proud to offer a comprehensive package for full-time employees, including but not limited to:

• Recharge Time – Paid vacation, holidays, and sick days. • Health & Wellness – Medical, dental, and vision coverage. • Future You – 401(k) plan with generous match program to help you save. • Peace of Mind – Life insurance, disability, and options for HSAs and FSAs. • Everyday Perks – Free coffee, fresh baked goods, and discounts. • Growth & Support – Career development and an Employee Assistance

Program when you need it.

The target annual base salary range for this position is $135,000 – $155,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including the applicant’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education, certifications or licenses, other legitimate non-discriminatory business factors, and the geographic location of the role. In addition to base pay, individuals in this position may also be eligible to earn bonuses.

Additional Information

At Peet’s, we believe in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome qualified applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, genetic information, uniform service, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local ordinances.

Peet’s is also committed to providing reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If you need assistance or accommodation, please contact

employeerelations@peets.com.