Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader

Location: Cleveland, OH 44102
Duration: 12 months plus extensions 

We are seeking an experienced Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader to drive operational excellence initiatives across the organization. This role will lead process improvement efforts using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies to improve quality, increase productivity, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate is a strategic problem-solver with a passion for data-driven decision-making and organizational change.

Location

Location to be confirmed

Employment Type

Employment type to be confirmed

Position Overview

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader will partner with cross-functional teams to identify, prioritize, and execute process improvement initiatives that deliver measurable business results. This individual will serve as a change agent, promoting a culture of operational excellence while coaching teams on continuous improvement principles and methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement projects utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other improvement methodologies.
• Analyze operational performance and identify opportunities to improve quality, productivity, safety, and efficiency.
• Conduct value stream mapping exercises and leverage performance metrics to drive decision-making.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, workshops, problem-solving sessions, and process improvement initiatives.
• Coach and mentor employees on Lean principles, continuous improvement tools, and best practices.
• Develop, implement, and sustain standardized processes to ensure long-term success of improvements.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to track project success and business impact.
• Perform root cause analysis using methodologies such as:
  • 5 Why Analysis
  • Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram
  • Pareto Analysis
  • Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Collaborate with department leaders to prioritize improvement opportunities and align initiatives with business objectives.
• Support change management efforts and encourage employee engagement in continuous improvement activities.
• Prepare executive-level reports and presentations showcasing project progress, savings, and operational impact.
• Champion a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5-10 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Process Excellence, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related environment.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional process improvement projects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience working with ERP systems and business intelligence tools.
• Knowledge of quality management systems such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or similar standards.

Key Skills

• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Kaizen
• Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
• DMAIC Methodology
• Root Cause Analysis
• Process Mapping
• Statistical Analysis
• Change Management
• Project Management
• Data Analysis
• Team Leadership
• Stakeholder Management
• Continuous Improvement Strategy

Success Metrics

The successful candidate will contribute to measurable improvements in:

• Cost savings achieved through process improvement initiatives
• Reduction in process cycle times
• Improvement in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), where applicable
• Reduction in defects, rework, and waste
• Increased productivity and operational throughput
• Employee engagement in continuous improvement programs
• On-time completion of improvement projects
• Enhanced customer satisfaction and service performance 

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