Continuous Improvement Specialist

Coborn's is hiring a Continuous Improvement Specialist to join our growing team! In this role, you will play a critical role in driving operational excellence across stores and field locations. You will lead the implementation and sustainment of Lean initiatives-including 5S and other continuous improvement programs-while reinforcing labor, scheduling, and operational standards through training, coaching, and audits.

You will also partner closely with location leadership to strengthen execution consistency, sustain improvements, and identify new opportunities that enhance productivity and team performance. With a strong ownership mindset, your role will actively contribute to building a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and shared success across the organization.

Additional Responsibilities Include:

• Lead and support implementation of Lean initiatives, including 5S, across stores and operational locations
• Train and coach field leaders on labor, scheduling, standard work, and continuous improvement practices
• Reinforce adoption of productivity tools, operational systems, and workplace organization standards
• Conduct operational, labor, and Lean audits; identify gaps and support corrective actions
• Monitor and ensure sustainment of improvements and adherence to operational standards
• Identify inefficiencies, document trends and root causes, and recommend continuous improvement opportunities
• Support implementation of CI initiatives and development of standard operating procedures
• Assist with labor and CI systems, including reporting, data validation, and system enhancements
• Analyze data to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement
• Provide day-to-day user support and coordinate issue resolution with cross-functional partners
• Promote adoption of best practices and contribute to a culture of operational excellence and employee ownership.

What's in it for Me?

Our remarkable employees are at the heart of everything we do. At Coborn's, we're committed to creating a supportive and rewarding workplace-one that offers a vibrant, team-oriented environment, ongoing career growth, and meaningful benefits. As an employee-owned company, we believe in investing in our people and their futures.

We're proud to offer a variety of benefits to both our full-time and part-time employees, including:

• Medical Insurance with Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) plan options - we also match up to 20% of the first 5% contributed
• Participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) - yes, we're employee-owned! Our team members benefit from the success of the company through this company-sponsored benefit!
• Education benefits, including tuition discounts and scholarship programs
• 10% employee discount on grocery items, with additional franchise-specific discounts available at company-owned Ace Hardware, Caribou Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert's, and Pet Supplies Plus locations.
• Paid Time Off (PTO/Vacation)
• Paid Military Leave
• Employee recognition programs with monetary rewards, including in-store vouchers, years of service, and employee of the month
• Employee Health & Wellness Programs, Challenges and Resources - to assist our team members in living a life of wellbeing!
• Get Paid Daily with DailyPay - for employees who would like access to their pay before payday, we offer this great benefit!
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - unlimited phone access to legal, financial, and work-life services and up to five free in-person counseling sessions, per situation/issue, per year
• Access to a national discount marketplace for travel, electronics, auto/home insurance, entertainment and more!
• Tools, resources, and opportunities for career growth and development

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field preferred

• 3-6 years of experience in retail, grocery, manufacturing, supply chain, or multi-unit operations

• Experience improving processes, labor efficiency, or operational performance

• Ability to partner with field or operational leaders to implement change

• Familiarity with Lean, continuous improvement, or operational excellence practices preferred

• Experience with operational systems (e.g., inventory, scheduling, workflow tools) preferred

We believe that building a team of people with different backgrounds, beliefs, experiences and perspectives inspires fresh thinking and opens us up to new possibilities. We are an EEO/AA Employer - All qualified individuals, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Are you friendly, dependable, and passionate about working with people? At Coborn's, Inc., we love serving our guests, supporting our communities, and helping our team members grow their careers. If you're looking for a place where you can build a future while making a positive impact every day, we'd love to talk to you about joining our team!

Coborn's, Inc. is a fast-growing, employee-owned grocery retailer proudly serving communities across the Midwest. Our family of grocery stores includes Coborn's, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods, Hornbacher's, Tadych's Marketplace Foods, Sullivan's Foods, and Kessler's. We offer our guests an elevated shopping experience-both in-store and online-focused on freshness, value, and convenience. Guided by our company vision to inspire happiness, healthy living, and simplicity, this principle has fueled our growth for more than 100 years and is at the heart of everything we do.

Coborn's, Inc. also owns and operates liquor stores under the Coborn's Liquor, Cash Wise Liquor, Andy's Liquor, and Captain Jack's brands. In addition, we operate fuel kiosks and convenience store locations under the Little Dukes and Coborn's Express names. Many of our grocery stores also feature full-service pharmacies to support the health and wellness of our guests. We manage a variety of other retail businesses in markets where the fit is right, including Ace Hardware, Country Floral Gifts & Greenhouse, Caribou Coffee, Dunn Brothers Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert's, Godfather's Pizza, and Pet Supplies Plus. To support our diverse retail operations, we operate our own central bakery, fresh foods commissary, and grocery warehouse and distribution center.