Director of Continuous Improvement

Job Description

Director of Continuous Improvement – KLN Family Brands

*This is onsite in Perham, MN*

Our Coolest Benefit - Profit Sharing!

In our most recent fiscal year, KLN Family Brands contributed over $7 million into our employee profit sharing pool!

Our Story

KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.

At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.”

Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality of our products, our spirit & moxie, our tradition, and the way we treat our community & beyond. We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.

The Opportunity

We’re now hiring a Director of Continuous Improvement to support KLN Family Brands. The full-time employee in this position will be dynamic and results driven. This position will lead and drive the enterprise-wide continuous improvement strategy across KLN manufacturing facilities. This role is responsible for embedding a culture of operational excellence by deploying Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodologies, leading strategic transformation initiatives, and certifying employees to at least Lean Six Sigma Green Belt level. This role plays a key role in enhancing productivity, quality, and cost-efficiency. This role will report to the Director of Engineering.

Essential Responsibilities

Develop and execute a corporate-wide continuous improvement strategy aligned with business objectives and growth plans.

Design, implement, and manage a Lean Six Sigma training and certification program, including mentoring and certifying Green Belt-level practitioners.

Provide leadership and oversight to CI teams at each manufacturing location; ensure consistent deployment of CI methodologies and metrics.

Lead and support high-impact Kaizen events, DMAIC projects, and value stream mapping sessions across the enterprise.

Establish standardized CI KPIs and reporting structures across all sites; monitor progress and present results to senior leadership.

Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain leaders to prioritize and execute CI projects that drive measurable improvement.

Serve as the internal subject matter expert on Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies.

Identify organizational gaps, lead change management initiatives, and foster a CI mindset at all levels of the organization.

Maintain and update the corporate CI roadmap; ensure alignment with strategic business plans.

Develop a CI talent pipeline through coaching, leadership development, and formal certification processes.

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field.

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.

Demonstrated success in implementing Lean Six Sigma programs and certifying employees to Green Belt level or higher.

Proven experience (10+ years) in manufacturing or industrial operations, with 5+ years in a leadership role overseeing CI initiatives preferred.

Strong leadership, facilitation, and project management skills.

Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven approach to decision-making.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence at all organizational levels.

Willingness to travel to support facilities and for training when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Multi-site or corporate-level CI oversight in manufacturing environments.

Experience integrating CI programs with ERP systems and digital manufacturing tools.

Strong understanding of ISO, quality management systems, and regulatory compliance.

Experience within Food and Beverage industry.

Benefits

Base Pay: $110,000 to $125,000 per year

Year One Bonus: $15,000 to $25,000

Relocation Assistance

401k Match Opportunity

Health, Dental, & Vision

2 weeks of PTO Accrued in First Year of Employment

7 Paid Holidays

KLN Clinic

$10,000 Forgivable Home Grant Program

Tuition Assistance

*This opportunity is contingent upon successful completion of a drug test and background check.*

Full-time