JOB TITLE: LEAN IMPROVEMENT LEAD (202 - PRODSUPPORT)
A SLICE OF THE ROLE
A Lean Improvement Specialist is a strategic driver of operational excellence who leads continuous improvement, product lifecycle governance, and commercialization initiatives across the organization. Acting as a change agent and trusted business partner, they optimize processes, strengthen data governance, enhance system capabilities, and improve cross-functional execution. Through Lean methodologies, D365 expertise, and data-driven decision-making, they deliver sustainable business improvements that support growth, efficiency, and speed-to market.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Operational Excellence
- Lean Continuous Improvement
- Strategic Problem Solving
- Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
- D365 F&O Leadership
ROLE COMPETENCIES
- Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
- New Product Introduction (NPI) & Commercialization
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O Leadership
- Product Master Data Governance
- Supply Chain & Manufacturing Operations
- ERP Process Design & Optimization
- Program & Project Management
- Change Management & User Adoption
- Data Analytics & Business Intelligence (Power BI)
- Strategic Planning & Executive Stakeholder Management
CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Job Duties:
Launch Timeline & Execution Management
- Lead and manage cross-functional launch timelines from concept to commercialization, ensuring alignment across PD, QA, Operations, Supply Chain, and Sales.
- Define critical paths, milestones, and dependencies, while maintaining optimized project schedules that provide clear visibility into progress and risks.
- Drive on-time execution by proactively managing risks, resolving bottlenecks, and coordinating stakeholders as the central point of contact.
- Deliver executive-level reporting and continuously improve launch processes to enhance efficiency, accountability, and overall performance.
Product Lifecycle & Governance
- Define and manage end-to-end PLM frameworks aligned with business and operational goals, ensuring structured processes from ideation through end-of-life.
- Establish and enforce governance within D365 covering product creation, changes, version control, and discontinuation, while standardizing data structures, naming conventions, and hierarchies to ensure consistency and integration.
- Implement workflows and approval processes for NPI and lifecycle changes, ensuring control, compliance, and audit readiness.
- Ensure product master data quality through validation, monitoring, and continuous improvement practices, while enabling visibility through reporting and dashboards to support portfolio and decision making.
- Continuously enhance lifecycle processes and governance by leveraging system capabilities and best practices to improve efficiency, compliance, and speed-to-market.
D365 Ownership (PLM & Master Data)
- Serve as the functional lead and SME for product-related modules in D365, ensuring effective configuration, governance, and alignment with business processes.
- Own and optimize key modules including PIM, BOMs, and inventory configurations, ensuring accurate product structures, data integrity, and support for manufacturing and supply chain execution.
- Drive system alignment and adoption across cross-functional teams, partnering with IT and vendors to ensure integration, EDI compatibility, and minimal customization.
- Continuously enhance D365 capabilities through process improvements, automation, and reporting to improve efficiency, visibility, and decision-making.
Product Data Management & Integrity
- Oversee product master data integrity across systems, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal and regulatory standards.
- Establish and enforce data governance policies, including ownership, validation processes, and standardized data structures (e.g., attributes, naming, classifications) to ensure consistency and usability.
- Collaborate with IT and cross-functional teams to enhance data management capabilities, including automation, validation, and system integration.
- Continuously improve data governance frameworks through audits, monitoring, and process enhancements to reduce risk and support scalable growth.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate with Commercialization
- Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with Commercialization, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and Product Development (PD) teams to ensure seamless execution of product lifecycle processes, from ideation through launch and ongoing management.
- Facilitate alignment on priorities, timelines, and deliverables across functions, proactively identifying gaps and ensuring all stakeholders are working toward common objectives.
Post-Launch Debrief Management
- Lead and standardize the post-launch debrief process, facilitating cross-functional reviews to assess performance against objectives, timelines, and metrics.
- Drive accountability for deliverables, conduct root cause analysis on variances, and ensure clear documentation of insights and action plans to support continuous improvement.
Reporting & Communication
- Develop clear post-launch reports, executive summaries, and dashboards to communicate performance, risks, and insights.
- Present findings and recommendations to leadership, enabling data driven decisions on portfolio optimization, investments, and process improvements.
Continuous Improvement
- Establish a closed-loop feedback process to incorporate post-launch learnings into future initiatives.
- Identify and drive process improvements across the commercialization lifecycle, while advancing standardized “launch excellence” frameworks to improve efficiency, consistency, and performance.
Other Duties
MUST HAVE INGREDIENTS
Education & Experience
- 7–10+ years of experience in Product Lifecycle Management, Product Data Management, or Supply Chain
- 3–5+ years of hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations • Experience in manufacturing, consumer goods, or regulated industries is highly preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in; Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field
Skills
- Strong expertise in D365 F&O modules:
- Product Information Management (PIM)
- Costing and inventory management
- Knowledge of: BOMs, routings, and product configurations
- Engineering Change Management processes
- Data governance and master data tools
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration
- Data-driven decision-making
- Process improvement mindset
- Supply chain management
EXTRA FLAVOUR
- Experience in Food, CPG, Foodservice, or Manufacturing
YOUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
The following traits are fundamental to an employee’s success at Chudleigh’s. These traits are non-negotiable because they are essential to create an environment where individuals will be successful in moving our Chudleigh’s Team forward.
Core Chudleigh’s Traits:
- Genuine – Show up authentically, take accountability
- Resourceful – Think ahead, anticipate needs, and solve problems creatively
- Enable Connections – Foster teamwork, communication, and community
LIFE AT THE BAKERY – WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Demands
This role is primarily performed in an office environment and requires regular use of a computer and other standard office equipment. The employee will frequently sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers to operate equipment, and communicate clearly. Regular lifting of objects up to 25lbs and occasional lifting of objects up to 50lbs may be required. Vision requirements include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work Environment
The work environment is typically quiet to moderate in noise level with minimal exposure to physical risk. The employee may occasionally be required to enter the production floor, where proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times. Will require travel by automobile, train or air.
