Continuous Improvement Leader

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with General Managers 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 Automation Engineer 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, work methods, and operational processes across facilities.
• 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.
• Support integration and replication of successful improvements across multiple locations.
• 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.
• Ability to travel extensively to support multiple manufacturing locations.

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.