Black Belt - Continuous Improvement Leader

Interested in joining Canada’s largest poultry processor? At Maple Lodge Farms, we’re not only passionate about our chickens, but our people, too. We operate to the latest in technological, health and safety, and quality standards. With rapid expansion over the years, and continued innovation and investment in growth, we’re looking for committed, team players to join the Maple Lodge family. As a proudly family-owned Canadian company, we’re passionate about what we do. If you’re a committed team player, we would love to have you as part of our team.

About the Role:

The Black Belt works with cross functional stakeholders to deliver the Organization’s Mission and Vision to make the business more effective and efficient, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. The Black Belt will act as change agent, coach and mentor working interdepartmentally across the Strategic Pillars to implement and sustain process Improvements contributing to the bottom-line of the company.
This is an existing position in the company.

What's in it for you?

• Health benefits and pension plan
• Weekly pay
• Onsite Cafeteria
• Discount at our Chicken Shop
• Opportunities for career advancement
• A culture that values humility, a respect for family and hard work

What you will be doing:

• As a Senior Leader your primary purpose is to ensure the company's performance improvement targets are accomplished.
• Manage multiple projects defining the project scope and goals, selecting the appropriate methods and tools, managing the project resources and risks, and ensuring the project delivers the expected benefits.
• Oversee key steps in the process improvement effort including the collection and analysis of data, the development of solutions, and the deployment of plans.
• Conduct regular meetings with VP’s and Executive Team to review project dashboard, financial impact and ideation of future projects.
• Facilitate various meetings & workshops with all levels of the Organization, including discussing problem statements, vision and scope, current and future state processes.
• Recommend fact-based improvements which increase efficiency and effectiveness, while understanding and balancing requirements of multiple stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively across HoldCo group of companies, standardizing CI practices and projects, sharing lessons learned and creating a uniform Continuous Improvement Culture.
• Conduct change management and communication activities including the assessment of process change impacts and risks to employees. Develop a plan to mitigate the risks.
• Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and/or other metrics to describe the improvements and work with process owners to ensure the impact of change is effectively measured and sustained.
• Produce and oversee the development of documentation to update and inform stakeholders, including the Leadership team, on the status of improvement.
• Utilize a diverse Six Sigma toolkit to analyze data and come to a decision in a fact-based way.
• Coach employees on strategic functional departmental projects and assist them in removing obstacles preventing the successful implementation of projects. Coacher CI tools and methodologies to various stakeholders across the business.
• Build trust with colleagues and business partners by demonstrating personal consistency in communications and actions. Demonstrate a willingness to collaborate and find win-win solutions.
• Prioritize work of team members and key subject matter resources, to deliver results.
• Collaborate with all subject matter experts in cross functional teams to quantify process baselines metrics.
• Apply imaginative and innovative approaches to resolving complex problems.
• Research current trends and technical advances in relevant industries and apply learnings to create new opportunities.
• Demonstrate team leadership, understand team dynamics, and assign team member roles and responsibilities.

What you will bring:

• An undergraduate degree, preferably in Business or Technical discipline, required.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification required.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) designation is an asset
• Minimum five years of project management experience
• Strong understanding of process improvement and Project Management Methodologies
• Practitioner in change management models (e.g., ADKAR, Kotter, etc)
• Experience in leading projects that require initiative and the ability to influence change in a positive way.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and tactfully, as well as work on a cross functional team project.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
• Critical thinker able to develop, communicate and deliver clear strategy and action plans.
• Technical skills balanced with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Ability to step out of comfort zone and readily accept unique challenges.
• Willingness to continuously learn, be introspective and embrace constructive criticism as a building block to personal growth.
• An agile perspective that supports the businesses’ short-term needs as well as the company’s long-term strategic goals
• Ability to work / excel in a fast-paced environment where attention to detail and effective multi-tasking is essential
• Advanced computer skills (e.g., MS 365) and statistical analysis skills.

Maple Lodge Farms was established in 1955. We are the largest chicken processor in Canada, and we remain family owned. The principles that guided us from our humble beginnings, when Lawrence May sold eggs door-to-door, are the same principles that guide us today: hard work, agricultural wisdom and family values. We are creating a sustainable future by providing healthy, wholesome, best quality chicken products with a focus on the humane treatment of animals, the responsible use of resources and the positive development of our employees and the communities in which we operate.

Please note that any offer of employment will be conditional upon background and reference checks, including a criminal record check.

In accordance with Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 2003, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants are required to make their needs known in advance.
Our recruitment process may involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in reviewing applications. These tools help identify candidates whose qualifications closely align with the job requirements. Please note, these AI tools are not used to disqualify applicants but to support our efforts in efficiently screening large volumes of applications.

We thank all applicants for applying, however, only those chosen will be contacted by our Talent Acquisition Team.