Continuous Improvement Engineer

Unilever · Hammond, IN

Level: Engineer
Team: Lean / CI
Base pay: $89k–$133k
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 3+ years
Certification: Black Belt preferred
Industry: Food & beverage
Posted: 2 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level continuous improvement role at Unilever (food & beverage) in Hammond, IN. You will lead initiatives that improve safety, quality, productivity, cost, and equipment reliability across one of Unilever's flagship manufacturing operations.

They ask for: 3+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Green Belt, TPM, OEE
Base pay: $89k–$133k
Day to day: some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

It asks for 3+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

Your game plan for this job

Most people just hit Apply. Do these first and you show up with someone on the inside.

1
Find 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at this site
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply most.
2
Send a short, curious note
Ask about the work, not for a referral. We write it for you.
3
Have a 15-minute chat
Good questions for this role:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
4
Apply, ideally with a referral
Ask if they'd refer you or introduce you to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link and tell them the day you apply.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

About the role

Required Qualifications

✓Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
✓3+ years of engineering, manufacturing, process, or packaging experience in a consumer products, food, personal care, chemical, or related manufacturing environment.
✓Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives using TPM, WCM, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
✓Proven ability to analyze manufacturing data, identify root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.
✓Experience leading end-to-end improvement projects focused on equipment performance, waste reduction, productivity, or quality improvement.
✓Experience in a union manufacturing environment is a plus.
✓Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred.

Pay: The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications,

qualifications

and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits : Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

✓-----------------------------------

At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do . We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com . Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal busines

Show full description ↓

Job Purpose

Are you passionate about solving complex manufacturing challenges and driving continuous improvement? As a Focused Improvement Engineer, you will lead initiatives that improve safety, quality, productivity, cost, and equipment reliability across one of Unilever's flagship manufacturing operations. In this highly visible role, you will partner with cross-functional teams to eliminate losses, optimize packaging processes, implement new technologies, and deliver sustainable business results. If you thrive on data-driven problem solving and enjoy turning opportunities into measurable improvements, we'd love to hear from you.

Core Deliverables

Lead Continuous Improvement

•Own and execute the site's focused improvement agenda within the Packaging operation.
•Identify, prioritize, and eliminate manufacturing losses impacting safety, quality, waste, cost, and productivity.
•Lead projects that improve equipment performance, process capability, and operational efficiency.
•Deliver savings initiatives that strengthen the site's cost structure and business performance.

Optimize Manufacturing Processes

•Establish and maintain process standards, centerlines, and operating conditions that ensure consistent product quality and performance.
•Analyze production data to identify root causes of downtime, waste, defects, and process variation.
•Develop sustainable corrective actions to prevent recurrence and improve reliability.

Partner Across Functions

•Collaborate with Operations, Quality, R&D, Engineering, Safety, and external equipment suppliers to improve manufacturing capability.
•Support equipment upgrades, new technology implementation, process trials, and capital improvement projects.
•Serve as a key resource for World Class Manufacturing (WCM) and Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) practices.

Develop Teams & Standards

•Create and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, and production standards.
•Train and coach operators on process control, loss elimination, and continuous improvement methodologies.
•Support Run-to-Standard activities and help build a culture of operational excellence.

Drive Digital & Future-Focused Solutions

•Co-lead DFOS implementation and become the site's subject matter expert for data collection and performance monitoring systems.
•Utilize manufacturing data and analytics to accelerate decision making and improve operational performance.

What Success Looks Like

•Improve line efficiency, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
•Reduce waste, losses, quality defects, and operational costs.
•Deliver measurable productivity and savings improvements.
•Build sustainable standards that help teams consistently achieve performance targets.
•Influence a culture of continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation.