Process Improvement Specialist Jobs

Are you looking to catapult your career by driving high-impact transformation with household brands? Do you crave an entrepreneurial, fast paced, and engaging growth assignment working with incredible people from across the globe?

At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, we are excited to start a new chapter of accelerated growth as part of Froneri – a global pure-play ice cream leader. Come help us transform DGIC into the #1 ice cream brand! With nearly 100 years of winning experience in the U.S, a robust portfolio of powerhouse brands that consumers know and love such as Häagen-Dazs, Drumstick, Dreyer’s & Edy’s, and the backing and coaching of European-based ice cream experts, we know we have the winning recipe.

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, the Bay Area’s hub for up-and-coming food trends, our teams across our offices and factories are raising the bar on all things ice cream. We are investing in significant capital expansions to grow our Operations and Supply chain and are transforming how we work at every level to become agile, accelerate growth and elevate our quality. With a renewed focus on frozen treats, our tight-knit team of ambitious innovators are fully immersed in the business and encouraged to flex and make decisions quickly. We are committed to pursuing every great idea and delivering the best ice cream experience for our consumers, when and where they want it.

Unleash your potential at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream and discover what a sweet career we have in store for you.

Purpose of the job:

The Process Improvement Manager is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives across the factory to enhance safety, quality, productivity, cost efficiency, and operational performance. This role will lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence programs while partnering with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to optimize processes and eliminate waste.

Role and Activity

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, and cost savings.
• Identify process bottlenecks and develop solutions to improve manufacturing efficiency and throughput.
• Analyze production data, downtime trends, labor utilization, yields, and equipment performance to identify improvement opportunities.
• Facilitate Lean Manufacturing tools including Kaizen events, 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for operational issues, quality defects, downtime, and customer complaints.
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) related to OEE, labor productivity, yield, waste, uptime, and cost.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement sustainable process improvements.
• Support capital projects, equipment installations, automation initiatives, and plant modernization efforts.
• Lead employee training programs related to continuous improvement methodologies and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with food safety requirements, GMPs, HACCP, SQF/BRC standards, and company policies.
• Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, and savings trackers for improvement projects.
• Benchmark industry best practices and implement innovative manufacturing solutions.
• Promote a culture of operational excellence and employee engagement throughout the facility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
• Experience in high-speed food or dairy manufacturing.
• Knowledge of frozen dessert processing, packaging, and cold-chain operations.
• Experience implementing OEE improvement programs and TPM (Total Productive Maintenance).
• Strong communication skills. Will need to be able to work alongside Supervisors and Production Admins to ensure our systems are in order.

SELL MORE

• Meet daily production targets by operating efficiently
• Follow production plans and instructions to support overall business goals
• Help reduce downtime by reporting issues quickly and keeping the line running smoothly
• Use materials responsibly to support cost, waste, and output goals

BUY BETTER AND TAKE COST OUT

• Maintain an organized and efficient workstation to support smooth operations
• Use raw materials, packaging, and supplies correctly to avoid waste
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and increase efficiency
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent, efficient results

END TO END QUALITY

• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) quality checks, testing, and documentation requirements
• Stop and escalate if product quality is not correct
• Ensure products meet safety, quality, and environmental standards at every stage
• Follow food safety and hygiene rules, including proper sanitation and allergen controls
• Participate in audits, inspections, and quality improvement efforts

THRIVING PEOPLE

• Follow all safety rules and help maintain a safe work environment for yourself and your team
• Support team members, communicate clearly, and work together to hit daily goals
• Participate in required training and development to build skills and grow in the role
• Take responsibility for attendance, punctuality, and teamwork expectations
• Report hazards, near misses, or unsafe behaviors to help strengthen the safety culture

DO GOOD BUSINESS

• Follow all company policies, including safety, quality, and GMP requirements
• Comply with regulatory, environmental, and food safety standards each shift
• Operate equipment responsibly to avoid damage or unnecessary maintenance
• Support sustainability efforts by minimizing waste, recycling where required, and using resources efficiently
• Participate responsibly in company programs and initiatives

Behaviors And Core Values:

We Take Ownership

• Stay committed to responsibilities from start to finish

• Make sound decisions and get into the right level of detail

• Apply resources to initiatives that add growth, improve efficiencies, or reduce waste

We Do What Is Right

• Choose transparency over convenience, even if it means difficult conversations

• Set clear roles and responsibilities, enabling everyone to exercise appropriate initiative and judgment

• Speak up when you see something that does not align to our values and policies

We Seek to Improve

• Strive to continuously improve and innovate to exceed expectations

• Value feedback from others and encourage open dialogue to understand how we can improve

• Learn from both successes and failures

We Are Better Together

• Ensure decisions are based on what’s best for the whole business

• Practice inclusion by seeking diverse perspectives

• Treat everyone with fairness and respect

Work Environment:

In this position, the employee will regularly work with and around others; in a wet and/or humid environment; in areas of high noise level; and around mechanical, electrical, and pressurized equipment. The work is fast paced.

• Cold Temperatures: Parts of the facility, such as storage and production areas, may be kept at low temperatures.
• • Requires use of cold-protective PPE.
  • May involve standing, lifting, and walking in refrigerated zones for extended periods.
• Fast-Paced: Workers often operate under strict timelines to meet production quotas.
• • High-speed manufacturing floor with frequent movement, line assignment changes, and tight production timelines.
• Standing for Long Hours: Many roles require prolonged standing and repetitive tasks.
• • Repetitive hand and arm movements required.
  • Must be able to stand for hours with frequent bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Food Safety Regulations: Employees must follow hygiene and safety guidelines, including wearing protective gear (gloves, hairnets, etc.).
• Team-Oriented: Workers collaborate to ensure smooth production and packaging.

The position involves frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens.

The pay scale for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The pay range for prospective employees in this role is between $120,000 and $130,000, with opportunities for overtime, shift differential, cold premium pay and annual bonuses (variable depending on company performance).

We offer a comprehensive group benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, 401K plan with employer match and annual contribution available.

Visa sponsorship not available. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future. The company does not provide visa sponsorship or any immigration support (including STEM OPT training plan and H-1B lottery registration) for this position.

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.