Continuous Improvement Suggestion Program

The Continuous Improvement Suggestion Program (CISP) provides every employee — from machine operators to senior leadership — with a formal, transparent channel to submit ideas for safety improvements, quality enhancements, waste reduction, cost savings, and process standardization. Each submission is logged in a central digital registry, triaged by the Continuous Improvement Coordinator, and reviewed by a cross-functional committee within 14 business days. Approved ideas are assigned an implementation lead, a target completion date, and a post-implementation audit. The program is governed by a quarterly KPI review that tracks submission volume, adoption rate, average cycle time, and estimated annualized savings. All data is retained for a minimum of three years for audit and trend analysis.

This program applies to all full-time, part-time, and contract personnel working within manufacturing, warehouse, maintenance, quality, logistics, and administrative departments. All suggestions must be work-related and pertain to processes, equipment, materials, safety, layout, energy use, or documentation. Suggestions that address personal grievances, contractual disputes, or HR matters are explicitly out of scope and must be directed to the appropriate HR channel. The program covers both physical plant locations and remote operational sites. Third-party vendors and temporary staff are encouraged to participate but must submit through a sponsoring full-time employee.

• DIREvery suggestion must be submitted using the official CISP form (digital or paper) and include: the current condition, the proposed change, the expected benefit, and any supporting data or photos. Anonymous submissions are not accepted; the submitter must be identifiable for feedback and recognition.
• DIRThe Continuous Improvement Coordinator shall log each submission within 24 hours, assign a unique CISP-ID, and forward it to the department manager for initial review. The manager must provide a preliminary response (accept, reject, or request more information) within 10 business days.
• DIRAll suggestions that are not rejected at the department level must be escalated to the cross-functional Continuous Improvement Committee, which meets biweekly. The committee evaluates each idea against four criteria: feasibility, impact (safety/quality/cost), scalability, and alignment with strategic objectives.
• DIRApproved suggestions receive a project owner, a target completion date, and a post-implementation review (PIR) scheduled 90 days after deployment. The PIR must document actual results vs. projected benefits and close out the CISP-ID.
• REQRecognition: Submitters of adopted ideas receive a formal thank-you letter, a $50 gift card (or equivalent), and are entered into a quarterly draw for a $500 prize. The program also publishes a "Top Ideas" board in the breakroom and on the intranet each month.

• Submitters (All Employees): Identify improvement opportunities, complete the suggestion form with sufficient detail, and participate in follow-up discussions if requested.
• Continuous Improvement Coordinator: Owns the central CISP log, assigns CISP-IDs, tracks all deadlines, prepares monthly dashboards, and manages the recognition program. This role ensures no suggestion falls through the cracks.
• Department Managers: Provide initial review and approval/rejection within 10 business days. Rejections must include a written rationale. Managers also nominate ideas for escalation to the committee.
• Continuous Improvement Committee (CIC): Cross-functional team (Ops, Quality, Safety, Maintenance, Finance) that meets biweekly to evaluate escalated suggestions, set priorities, assign project owners, and approve funding up to $5,000 per idea. Oversees the quarterly KPI review.
• Implementation Project Owner: Responsible for executing the approved change, managing the timeline, and conducting the post-implementation review at 90 days.