Title:  Continuous Improvement Lead

As a Continuous Improvement Lead, you will play a vital role within the Kellanova manufacturing team, leading plant-wide initiatives to enhance Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) while delivering significant cost savings. You’ll achieve this by developing and strengthening capabilities in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodologies, systems, and tools. This role is based at our Pikeville, KY plant and requires full onsite engagement.

In this key position within the Manufacturing Reliability Department, you’ll collaborate closely with IT team members, Engineers, and Continuous Improvement Leaders to execute action plans and advance the site’s digital roadmap. As a high-profile role, you will interact with individuals at all levels—from the senior leadership team to the hourly workforce—giving you a unique opportunity to drive impactful improvements across all aspects of plant operations.

A Taste of What You’ll Be Doing

• Tools for Success - Deploying strategic methodologies, systems, and tools, such as Autonomous Maintenance, Reliability Maintenance, Problem Solving, Process Mapping, etc. to deliver site OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and cost savings goals.
• Drive Change/Continuous Improvement - Enabling capability for others to function within the plant environment, as well as driving and supporting cost ideations and diagnostics, along with tracking and communicating projects for visibility between other plant functions and teams. Integrating system health and project monitoring into the current structure to ensure the sustainability of improvements.
• Empower Efficiency/ Take a New Angle – Work with the Reliability Maintenance COE (Center of Excellence) team to effectively plan, schedule, and execute work; installing and sustaining the breakdown elimination and equipment classification systems. Developing and executing training for operations, leadership, and plant associates on KWS methodologies, systems and tools.
• Strategize to Win/ Impact Results - Continually collaborating with hourly personnel and supervisors to identify and troubleshoot chronic and sporadic losses through data analysis. Utilizing systems and tools to deliver a reduction in minor stops and breakdowns.
• Empower Teams - Supporting plant implementation of AM and RM by coaching supervisors/managers to ensure their capability to lead work teams.

We’re Looking for Someone With

• HS Diploma/GED and experience in Continuous Improvement initiatives
• Experience leading continuous improvement projects (Lean, TPM, Six Sigma, KWS, IWS, HPO)
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization & influence others
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Compensation

The annual salary range is $78,600-$108,130, which is based on various factors such as location, experience and skill. Discretionary bonuses based on company and individual performance are also available.

What’s Next

Applications for this position will be accepted through April 4, 2025. After you apply, your application will be reviewed by a real recruiter, so it may take us a few weeks to get back with you by email or phone. Visit our How We Hire page to get insights into our hiring process and more about what we offer. All applicants must have permanent legal authorization to work in the United States. Kellanova does not sponsor employment visas for this role.

Need assistance throughout the application or hiring process? Email USA.recruitment@kellanova.com .

Benefits offerings vary by site but are competitive and generally include medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, along with an employee assistance program. Kellanova offers paid time off, paid holidays, and other leaves to promote work/life balance.

Where applicable, we offer income protection benefits such as supplemental life insurance and the ability to participate in a retirement plan. Part-time employees may have access to some of these benefits on a pro-rated basis.

Get to Know Us

At Kellanova, we are driven by our vision to be the world’s best-performing snacks-led powerhouse, unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our portfolio of iconic, world-class brands include Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, MorningStar Farms, Special K, Krave, Zucaritas, Tresor, Crunchy Nut, among others.

Kellanova’s Culture of Best means we bring our best to all that we do in pursuit of our vision to be the world’s best performing snacks-led powerhouse. Our culture celebrates boldness and empowers our people to challenge the status quo, achieve results, and win together.

Our focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) enables us to build a culture of belonging where all employees have a place at the table and are inspired to share their passion, talents and ideas to work.

Mars has agreed to acquire Kellanova in a combination that will shape the future of snacking! The transaction is anticipated to close within the first half of 2025 (subject to Kellanova shareowner approval and other customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals). The companies remain separate until closing.

You can learn more at www.futureofsnacking.com, and our hiring teams will be happy to discuss further questions if your application advances in the hiring process.

The best brands. The best people. The best you.

Kellanova is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to provide an inclusive work environment, a seat for everyone at the table, and embraces the diverse talent of its people. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding our efforts to advance Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, please visit our website here.