SUMMARY:
The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence initiatives for the manufacturing facility through the deployment of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and performance management methodologies. This role partners closely with the General Manager, and site leadership to identify improvement opportunities, reduce waste, increase productivity, improve quality, and enhance overall operational performance. The Continuous Improvement Manager serves as a change agent, coaching leaders and employees in Lean principles while creating sustainable systems and processes that deliver measurable business results. This is a highly collaborative role requiring strong facilitation, analytical, and leadership skills. Some travel may be required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Partner with General Manager and site leadership teams to evaluate operational performance and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
- Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping exercises, process improvement workshops, and problem-solving activities.
- Work alongside the work engineers to identify opportunities where process improvements and automation solutions can improve productivity and reduce labor content.
- Support the development and execution of site-specific operational improvement roadmaps.
- Drive standardization of best practices and work methods.
- Analyze operational data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
- Coach and mentor plant leadership teams on Lean principles, problem-solving methodologies, and continuous improvement tools.
- Implement and sustain Lean systems including, 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Kaizen, etc.
- Establish measurable improvement targets and track project results.
- Lead cross-functional teams to execute improvement projects and ensure sustainability of gains achieved.
- Promote a culture of accountability, employee engagement, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
- Ensure all improvement initiatives align with safety, quality, and operational objectives.
- Prepare and present progress updates, project results, and performance metrics to senior leadership.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:
- Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
- Excellent facilitation and workshop leadership skills.
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
- Proven ability to lead organizational change and influence without direct authority.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to connect operational improvements to financial results.
- Effective project management and prioritization skills.
- Ability to coach leaders and frontline teams through process and cultural transformation.
- Experience developing and implementing sustainable operating systems.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Power BI, and data analysis tools.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field) or equivalent experience.
- 7+ years of manufacturing, operations, Lean, or continuous improvement experience.
- Demonstrated success leading Lean transformation or operational excellence initiatives.
- Experience facilitating Kaizen events and process improvement projects.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, labor productivity, quality systems, and operational metrics.
- Experience working directly with plant leadership and cross-functional teams.
- Light travel may be required.
Desired
- Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred).
- Experience in multi-site manufacturing environments.
- Experience supporting automation
- Experience implementing operational management systems and KPI scorecards.
- Prior leadership or management experience.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands/arms; lift and/or lower; push and/or pull; and use hands to finger, handle, feel and/or finely manipulate objects. The employee must frequently lift/move and/or push/pull up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift/move and/or push/pull up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Use of vision correction is acceptable, if necessary; however, any vision correction apparatus must meet all safety guidelines for the area of activity.