Sr. Continuous Improvement Specialist

Summary

CHS, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist to join our Continuous Improvement Team supporting primarily the Agriculture Division and international business operations. Based in Barcelona, Spain, this role will partner with teams across CHS’s global network to improve business processes, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and deliver measurable results aligned with product line and regional strategies.

In this role, you will co-facilitate and co-lead continuous improvement initiatives across international teams, helping standardize processes, improve operational effectiveness, and enable scalable ways of working across countries and functions. The position requires a strong blend of facilitation, project management, change management, and technical problem-solving skills — including the ability to use data analytics and visual management tools to improve performance, increase transparency, and sustain results.

This role is based at CHS in Barcelona, Spain, and requires approximately 25–50% travel to operational and business sites across Europe and other international locations based on business needs.

Responsibilities

Collaboration & Facilitation

• Co-facilitate and co-lead large-scale continuous improvement projects in partnership with CI team members, business leaders, and functional teams across international locations.
• Partner with Product Line, regional, and functional leaders to identify improvement opportunities and ensure alignment with product line strategies, regional priorities, and global business objectives.
• Lead value stream mapping sessions, Kaizen events, problem-solving workshops, and stakeholder discussions across diverse teams and geographies to drive engagement and adoption of improved ways of working.
• Build strong relationships with international stakeholders and support collaboration across cultures, languages, time zones, and business functions.

Process Optimization

• Lead end-to-end process improvement efforts focused on simplifying work, eliminating waste, improving flow, increasing operational effectiveness, and supporting consistency across international operations.
• Apply Lean methodologies, including standard work, root cause analysis, visual management, continuous flow, and problem-solving tools, to improve process performance and scalability.
• Collaborate with IT, digital, and business teams to design and implement practical technology-enabled solutions that improve processes, reduce manual work, and enhance visibility across locations.
• Deploy process changes, standardization, and low-code or digital workflow solutions to streamline work, improve scalability, and support long-term sustainability.
• Ensure improvements are embedded into daily operations through standard work, documentation, training, governance routines, and leadership engagement.

Change Management & Project Management

• Lead the planning, execution, and governance of high-priority continuous improvement projects, ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes, timelines, and business value. Develop project charters, action plans, stakeholder maps, communication plans, and progress tracking tools that drive accountability and visibility.
• Support change management strategies, including communication, training, stakeholder readiness, adoption planning, and leadership alignment.
• Serve as a coach and mentor to leaders and employees, helping build a culture of problem-solving, continuous learning, and operational excellence across international teams. Promote adoption and sustainment of CI tools, methodologies, and standardized processes across functions, regions, and business units.

Performance Insights & Visual Management

• Use operational and business data to identify performance gaps, prioritize improvement opportunities, and measure the impact of process changes.
• Build and maintain visual management tools, including dashboards, scorecards, digital boards, and project tracking systems, to monitor progress and sustain improvements.
• Translate operational performance information into clear, actionable insights for leaders, project teams, and front-line employees. 
• Support consistent reporting and performance visibility across international operations to enable better decision-making and accountability.

Minimum Qualifications (required)

• Bachelors Degree in relevent field of study
• 4+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Process Improvement, Data Analytics, Program Management, Project Management, or related fields.
• Fluency in English and, Spanish is required. 

Additional Qualifications

• Lean or Six Sigma certification, such as Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent.
• Strong background in data analytics, process measurement, and building visual management systems.
• Proven ability to co-lead complex, cross-functional initiatives across multiple teams or locations.
• Strong facilitation, communication, project management, stakeholder management, and change management skills.
• Experience using data to support process improvement, performance tracking, and visual management.
• Experience working in a multinational, matrixed, or international business environment.
• Agriculture, agribusiness, commodities, supply chain, trading, or food production industry experience is a plus.
• Fluency in Porteguese and Romanian preferred.