Continuous Improvement Manager

Eatons ES AMER ESS division is currently seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager.

This role is based in Waukesha, WI. Relocation assistance will be provided.

The expected annual salary range for this role is $130000 - $190000 a year.

Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

What youll do:

This position is responsible for supporting plant leadership in achieving business and financial goals by leading continuous improvement /cost out initiatives across the plant. This role will be the champion for the site driving the EBS (Eaton Business System)/ECIS. Additional responsibility includes executing the organizations strategic plan consistent with federal, state, and local regulations, established industry standards, and customer requirements. The candidate needs to be able to think outside the box, passionate, people centric person/leader, encompassing lean principles, day in and day out, and be a hands-on working Manager.

In this role you will:

• Team Leadership: Manage CI Analysts and Technicians; foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and accountability.
• Lean & Operational Excellence: Lead enterprise-wide Lean initiatives (e.g., VSM, 5S, Standard Work, Kaizen); drive cost-out and process improvement projects.
• Problem Solving & Safety: Apply structured problem-solving and root cause analysis; identify and mitigate safety hazards; ensure compliance and training.
• Change & Strategy Execution: Lead change management using ADKAR; align operations with strategic goals; benchmark best practices to drive improvement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage with diverse teams across functions and cultures; share global best practices and optimize resources.
• Leadership Competencies: Demonstrate courage, deliver results, motivate teams, and build a compelling vision for operational success.

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates leadership courage by delivering direct, respectful feedback and making difficult decisions to meet organizational goals.
• Drives results by translating strategy into action, instilling urgency, and ensuring follow-through on commitments.
• Applies strategic insight by aligning assembly operations with business objectives and leveraging best practices to drive improvement.
• Leads change effectively by fostering continuous improvement, managing risk, motivating teams, and engaging in hands-on change activities.
• Inspires and empowers teams through collaboration, recognition, and a culture of ownership and development.
• Leverages a global mindset by managing diverse teams, utilizing international resources, and fostering strong cross-cultural relationships.

Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited institution is required.
• Five (5) years of experience applying continuous improvement initiatives (leading activities and efforts).
• Lean Certification or Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.
• Relocation assistance will be provided for candidates that live outside a 50-mile radius of Waukesha, WI.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with EBS/ECIS.
• Ten (10) years of manufacturing experience applying continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proficient in lean manufacturing and quality improvement tools
• Skilled in SAP, Microsoft Office, Minitab, and Power BI
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and customer-specific quality standards
• Experienced in diverse production environments and safety protocols

Additional Information:

Experience in key processes that would be useful:

• Assembly of large Components
• Manufacturing of 3ph Transformers, Regulators, Alternators, and/or Electric Motors
• Welding
• Fabrication processes: laser cutting and forming
• E-Coat Paint Process
• Automated Testing

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant''s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.

You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.

We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.