Continuous Improvement Director

Job Title: Continuous Improvement Director

Location: Tyler, TX, Valley, AL, or Gainesville, GA

Department: Operations

Reports To: Head of Operations

Direct Reports: Continuous Improvement Coordinator, Industrial Engineers

Normal Work Schedule: The typical working hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, with a 30-minute lunch break.

Travel: Overnight travel may be needed based on business needs, up to 50% of the time

Work Schedule Requirements: Working irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, when necessary, is expected.

Overview Of Company

Soules Foods is a thriving family-owned food company that has made a positive difference for its customers and consumers for nearly 50 years. Our purpose and promise of Great Food, Made Simple® drives us. Based in Tyler, Texas, the company is a leading national producer of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook chicken and beef products and is the number one producer of chicken and beef fajitas in the USA. We proudly serve a broad portfolio of great-tasting, high-quality products sold throughout the US via retail, food service distributors, and restaurants. Our wide array of national customers includes prominent organizations such as Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Sysco, and HEB. The company was established in 1975 by John Soules Sr., and the business is now in the second generation of family leadership. The organization has expanded dramatically over the past decade and, with its continued growth, now has annual sales of approximately $1 billion. The company employs over 2,000 individuals and has three manufacturing facilities in Gainesville, Georgia; Valley, Alabama; and its headquarters in Tyler, Texas.

Job Summary

The Director of Continuous Improvement is a hands-on transformation leader responsible for driving measurable performance gains across multiple manufacturing sites, thereby significantly impacting the company's success.

This role is ideal for a high-performing leader eager to expand their influence, gain greater ownership and visibility, and pursue professional growth opportunities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

• 10 years of experience in Food manufacturing, with strong experience in high-speed, complex production environments
• Proven success driving measurable improvements in cost, yield, throughput, and efficiency
• Hands-on experience implementing Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, or similar systems
• Experience leading multi-site initiatives or large-scale projects
• Prior leadership experience managing teams, including cross-functional and remote

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a protein processing facility.
• Experience in the deployment and sustainment of Redzone manufacturing software
• Project Management Certification & Experience
• Bilingual in other languages is a plus.

Equivalent combinations of education, experience, and demonstrated leadership may be considered.

Driving Requirements: A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Key Responsibilities

NOTE: This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may perform other related duties to meet the organization's ongoing needs; these duties are considered marginal.

Enterprise Performance Leadership

• Own and drive performance improvement across multiple sites with clear accountability for results.
• Partner with plant leadership to identify gaps, prioritize initiatives, and execute with urgency.
• Establish and reinforce operating rhythms that drive accountability and performance discipline.

Operational Excellence & Turnaround Execution

• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, or equivalent systems with a focus on practical applications, not theory.
• Use “red zone” as a tool to make better decisions, lead efforts to stabilize and improve performance.
• Standardize best practices while maintaining flexibility to meet site-specific needs.

Transformation & Systems Rollout

• Lead high-impact initiatives, including:
• Technology implementation (MES, automation, digital tools)
• Line optimization and capacity improvements
• New equipment integration and process redesign
• Ensure adoption through strong change leadership and follow-through.
  

Data & Digital Integration

• Drive a shift toward real-time, data-driven decision-making across operations.
• Replace manual processes with scalable digital solutions.
• Build simple, effective dashboards that drive action at all levels.

Leadership & Capability Building

• Build and lead a strong CI capability across the organization.
• Coach plant leaders and teams on structured problem-solving and performance ownership.
• Develop talent and elevate leadership capability within operations.

Cross-Functional Influence

• Partner across Engineering, FSQ, Supply Chain, HR, and Finance to deliver results.
• Influence without authority in a multi-site, fast-paced environment.
• Act as a trusted partner to senior leadership on operational priorities.

Other

• Project work & Other duties as assigned.

Measurement of Success

• You’ve delivered results and impacted the bottom line, not just supported or deployed initiatives
• You know how to move from analysis to execution quickly
• You’re comfortable stepping into underperforming areas and driving change
• You influence front-line operators and executives with equal effectiveness
• You’re looking for a role with more ownership and less bureaucracy

Work Environment

This job is carried out in a professional office setting and involves using standard office equipment, such as laptops, desk phones, and smartphones. Regular visits to production facilities may also be required. During those visits, the employee is occasionally exposed to cold and/or humid conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, cold temperatures, and risks of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Physical Demands

Employees must be able to stand, walk, or sit; use their hands for tasks; reach with their arms; and communicate verbally. Occasional lifting or moving of objects is necessary, along with close, distance, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following:

• Incentive Pay:This position is eligible for the Company’s bonus plan, with amounts varying based on program terms.
• Vacation / Sick days
• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
• Telemedicine
• Onsite Clinic
• Free annual health screening
• 401 (k) with company match
• STD and LTD
• Life insurance & other voluntary benefits
• Career Development:We support professional growth through continuous learning and development opportunities.

Soules Foods is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Applicants with disabilities needing accommodation during the application process can contact Human Resources at the relevant location.

Soules Foods will not discriminate against applicants who discuss their compensation. We also participate in the E-Verify program where required by law.

Unsolicited Assistance: Soules Foods does not accept unsolicited support from external recruitment vendors for U.S. positions. Resumes or candidate profiles submitted without a valid written request and search agreement from HR will be considered the property of Soules Foods. No fees will be paid for candidates hired through unsolicited referrals.