Continuous Improvement Manager

 The Opportunity:
The Continuous Improvement Manager will play a pivotal role in elevating our plant's operational performance by leading the onsite Lean Production System (LPS) program. In this highly impactful position, you will drive continuous improvement initiatives that directly support our corporate strategy and long-term operational goals. You will design and execute a clear roadmap for advancing LPS maturity, establish meaningful performance targets, and embed best-in-class processes across all LPS pillars. This role is key to fostering a strong culture of operational excellence, efficiency, and sustainable growth.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by December 30. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.
Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Drive the site's LPS phase progression and accelerate the maturity of all LPS pillars to strengthen operational performance.
• Partner closely with the Site Leader to deliver key operational targets while ensuring LPS standards are consistently upheld across the facility.
• Support Pillar Leads in launching LPS systems and provide ongoing guidance as deployment expands across additional lines.
• Perform routine pillar health checks to evaluate progress, uncover gaps, and identify opportunities for meaningful performance improvements.
• Implement updates to LPS pillars in response to new guidance from Central Pillar Owners, ensuring processes stay current and effective.
• Integrate insights from all pillars to monitor overall site LPS performance and communicate progress, risks, and recommendations.
• Share best practices and collaborate with LPS teams across other sites, leveraging cross-site learnings to drive continuous improvement.
• Work with Pillar Leads to elevate plant performance by improving key metrics, targets, and execution within each pillar.
• Lead focused LPS initiatives to reduce quality issues, optimize efficiency, and enhance operational reliability.
• Serve as the site's subject matter expert on LPS standards, tools, and management system execution.
• Coach site leaders to advance the maturity of their pillars and strengthen their ability to lead continuous improvement.
• Develop leaders into effective trainers and coaches who can build capability at the line level, including among supervisors and operators.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to maintaining a safe workplace and upholding robust food safety practices.

What You'll Bring:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a manufacturing setting, preferably with direct involvement in Lean or Continuous Improvement roles.
• Deep knowledge and hands-on experience with LPS frameworks, principles, and pillar-based continuous improvement systems in manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to lead and sustain CI initiatives that drive operational excellence, process optimization, and waste reduction.
• Strong skills in planning, coordinating, and executing complex projects, including deployment and maturation of improvement programs.
• Experience managing organizational change, influencing stakeholders at all levels, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ability to coach leadership teams and develop internal trainers to build capability and sustain LPS practices across all levels.
• Strong capability in analyzing performance metrics, identifying gaps, and implementing effective corrective actions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively synthesize, report, and share best practices across multiple teams and sites.
• Proven success working with diverse teams including plant leadership, operations, maintenance, and quality to drive aligned improvements.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and familiar with Lean management tools and software systems.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable improvements in key operational metrics such as quality, efficiency, and safety.

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, 'speaker series' events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

About Us:
We're a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let's build a better future, together.

We're passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we've made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf, Schneiders, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co. We're on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company – not just in Canada – but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science-based targets.

We're a global food company with more than 13,500 team members. We operate sites in 20+ locations across Canada. We also have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and do business in Asia.

A diverse and inclusive work environment
Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We're so much stronger when we know we're accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values-based culture
Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

• Doing What's Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at 

Disclaimer:  Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board.  Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.

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