Specialist, Continuous Improvement Senior

CHS Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States that provides grain, food and energy resources to businesses and consumers around the world. We serve agriculture customers and consumers across the United States and around the world. Most of our employees are in the United States, but today we have employees in 19 countries. At CHS, we are creating connections to empower agriculture.

Summary

CHS, Inc has an exciting opportunity on our Continuous Improvement team. The Sr. Continuous Improvement Specialist will collaborate with operational and business leaders across our Ag and Energy divisions to identify improvement opportunities, optimize end to end (E2E) processes, and deliver best in class performance that supports CHS's long term growth and efficiency goal. This role partners closely with business leaders to identify, analyze, and solve complex process challenges with data driven problem solving skills to deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, cost, and productivity. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in operations or manufacturing, excels at breaking down problems into actionable solutions, and can influence change through collaboration and practical execution.

This role is preferred to be based in Inver Grove Heights, MN. For highly qualified candidates, a remote arrangement may be considered. This role requires 25-50% travel to operational sites and corporate office based on business needs.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operations and business leaders to discuss challenges and recommend best practices that improve performance.

• Optimize enterprise performance by partnering with leaders across the company to define direction, implement improvements and drive best in class operational results.

• Co-Lead efforts to identify cross functional opportunities and savings opportunities across locations and value streams.

• Apply Lean methodologies to solve scalable problems that have a broad impact on operations, ensuring solutions are sustainable and aligned with enterprise goals.

• Support the design and implementation of scalable strategies for organizational improvement and help sustain change through coaching, standardization, and continuous learning.

• Partner with Learning and Development and apply Lean training among front-line operations and encourage proactive problem solving.

• Lead and co facilitate CI and operational improvement projects with varying levels of risk and complexity, developing clear execution strategies that align with business priorities.

• Collaborate with leaders and stakeholders across Ag, Energy, and corporate functions to ensure alignment, remove barriers, and deliver measurable project outcomes.

• Integrate change management practices into project execution, including leadership alignment, communication, stakeholder engagement, role mapping, and training to support adoption and sustainability.

• Serve as an active coach and trusted partner to project sponsors and leaders, using influence and facilitation skills to drive accountability and commitment to results.

• Monitor project progress and performance, identify resistance or gaps, and lead corrective actions to keep projects on track and ensure sustainable improvement.

• Use Lean and problem solving tools (5 Whys, A3s, process mapping, value stream analysis) to structure work and deliver data driven, high impact results.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (required)

• High School diploma or GED

• 4+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Program Management, or related experience.

Additional Qualifications

• Six Sigma or Lean certification.

• Bachelor's or advanced degree preferred in business, engineering, finance or related field.

• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize projects and deliverables, and interact effectively with cross-functional teams Self-motivated, innovative, and ability to initiate and lead change.

• Creative and change-oriented continuous improvement process skills.

• Experience collaborating and driving consensus with other stakeholders to achieve tasks (IT, Finance, Business Units, etc.).

• Strong understanding of process and process design, including leveraging technology to achieve.

• Experience working in the agriculture industry.

• Multi-lingual is desirable, but not required.

• Pre-employment screening is based on the job requirements and industry guidelines and may or may not be required for the position. If required, selected candidates must pass pre-employment screenings to include all or a combination of drug, criminal, motor vehicle check, physical requirements and FMSCA Clearinghouse.

CHS offers a competitive total rewards package. Compensation includes base wage and, depending upon position, may include other earnings such as bonus, incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary based on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, experience, education, training, specialized skills and certifications, minimum wage/salary requirements under local law.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, wellness programs, life insurance, health and dependent care spending accounts, paid time off, 401(k), pension, profit sharing, short- and long-term disability, tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance, subject to the eligibility requirements for each benefit plan.

CHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability.

Please note that any communication from a CHS recruiter would be sent using a chsinc.com email address. In addition, a CHS recruiter will not ask for confidential information over the phone or in an email, or request money from a candidate involved in an offer process. If you have questions regarding an employment opportunity, please reach out to [email protected] ; to verify that the communication is from CHS.