Business Excellence Continuous Improvement Lead

About Us:

Trilliant Food & Nutrition is a leading, vertically integrated manufacturer of premium coffees and powdered beverages, proudly headquartered in Little Chute, Wisconsin. With a legacy rooted in quality, innovation, and service, Trilliant delivers branded and private label solutions across retail, foodservice, and e-commerce channels.

Horseshoe Beverage Company, based in Neenah, WI, is a leading ready-to-drink beverage manufacturer dedicated to delivering an exceptional beverage experience. By combining industry-leading talent, cutting-edge equipment, and a vertically integrated supply chain, we drive innovation and consistently deliver the highest quality products to our customers-first and fast.

Our brand portfolio includes Victor Allen's, Dutch Bros beverages and Nurri, our better-for-you protein beverage line. We are passionate about beverages - and about building a team that's just as energized. We invite you to explore opportunities at Trilliant or Horseshoe, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings.

Our Core Values:

Diversity and Inclusion at Trilliant and Horseshoe:

We believe talented, great people are the building blocks of our success. We believe in finding the right people, with the right attitude, and providing them with opportunities to excel.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Business Excellence Continuous Improvement Lead to support process optimization and Lean initiatives within our food and beverage manufacturing operations. This role is ideal for early-career professionals with a passion for driving operational excellence and a foundational understanding of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. Reporting to the Continuous Improvement Manager, you will play a key role in identifying opportunities for improvement, supporting project execution, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the facility.

Key Responsibilities:

* Process Support & Optimization: Assist in evaluating production processes to identify inefficiencies, waste, and improvement opportunities. Support implementation of solutions that enhance quality, safety, and productivity.

* Project Execution: Lead small-scale improvement projects and support larger initiatives under the guidance of the Continuous Improvement Manager.

* Data Collection & Analysis: Gather and analyze production data to monitor KPIs, identify trends, and support decision-making.

* Lean & Six Sigma Tools: Apply basic Lean and Six Sigma tools (e.g., 5S, root cause analysis, value stream mapping) to support process improvement efforts.

* Training & Engagement: Help facilitate training sessions and workshops to promote continuous improvement practices among frontline staff and cross-functional teams.

* Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate records of improvement activities, project outcomes, and performance metrics.

* Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with operations, quality, and maintenance teams to ensure alignment and successful execution of improvement initiatives.

* Compliance & Safety: Ensure all improvement activities align with food safety regulations and internal quality standards.

Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Food Science, or a related field.

* 1-4 years of experience in a manufacturing or continuous improvement role; experience in food and beverage preferred.

* Familiarity with Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles; certification (e.g., Yellow Belt or Green Belt) is a plus.

* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

* Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

* Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

* Basic understanding of food safety regulations and quality systems is a plus.

Hours, Location and Pay:

We offer a competitive base pay rate and comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees. This role works standard business hours Monday - Friday at our Little Chute, WI or Neenah, WI manufacturing facility. Occasional off-shift or weekend hours may be required to support business needs.

Physical and Mental Demands:

* While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, hear, use hands to type data, use a personal computer and telephone. This employee may occasionally have to operate business machines and lift and/move up to 50 pounds.

* Specific vision abilities required in this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

* Mental demands include multi-tasking, decision making, problem solving, comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, and synthesizing data.

* Potential for exposure to chemicals, heights, loud noises, mechanical equipment, wet environments, and other potential hazards exists.

Safety Statement:

At Trilliant and Horseshoe, safety is every employee's first responsibility. We expect all employees to adhere to all safety practices, have the moral courage to stop other individuals from performing unsafe acts, and immediately report unsafe conditions.

Disclosures:

* The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

* Responsible for following food safety/regulatory policies and procedures, executing responsibilities as identified in standard operating procedures, and reporting food safety/regulatory concerns to the Production or Quality Manager.

* Trilliant Food & Nutrition and Horseshoe Beverage Company are Drug Free Workplaces. All applicants are subject to a drug screen and background check as a condition of employment.

* Trilliant Food and Nutrition and Horseshoe Beverage participate in the E-Verify process.

* EEO/AA including Vets and Disabled

* If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at HR@trilliantfood.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

* Trilliant Food and Nutrition and Horseshoe Beverage are Equal Opportunity Employers.

* The principles of the OECD and UN have been taken into consideration and used as guidance in our human rights practices and procedures.