Continuous Improvement Manager
The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading, teaching, and implementing operational excellence systems to improve safety, quality, throughput, productivity, cost, and delivery performance. This role serves as the plant's subject matter expert in Lean and continuous improvement methodologies.
Key Responsibilities:
Lean & Continuous Improvement Leadership
- Serve as the plant's Lean expert and coach at all levels.
- Standardize and sustain core Lean systems such as Daily Management, A3 Thinking, Value Stream Mapping, and Kaizen.
- Drive structured problem-solving using 8D, 5 Whys, and DMAIC.
- Lead targeted improvement events to enhance flow, reduce waste, and improve process stability across operations.
Change Leadership & Coaching
- Act as a catalyst for cultural transformation through engagement and capability-building.
- Mentor leaders, supervisors, and frontline employees in Lean principles.
- Develop internal CI champions and support team-based problem-solving.
Project Management
- Lead cross-functional projects focused on improving productivity, reducing variation, and increasing throughput.
- Ensure improvement initiatives deliver measurable, sustainable business impact.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum 7 years of experience in a Continuous Improvement role.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership experience.
- Strong understanding of Lean systems such as Toyota Production System or equivalent.
- Demonstrated success teaching, coaching, and leading major change initiatives.
- Experience with Hoshin planning, TPM/OEE, 5S, Kaizen, visual management, work design, and A3 thinking.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Must be able to work with export-controlled materials.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Supply Chain.
- Experience in complex manufacturing environments (e.g., precision, heavy industrial, automotive).
- Familiarity with industry quality standards.
- Hands-on leadership style with strong shop‑floor presence.
- Proven ability to facilitate impactful CI activities.
- Strong communication skills-written, verbal, and presentation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Power BI experience preferred.
- Ability to perform SQL data exports and convert data into actionable insights.
- Passion for teaching, coaching, and developing others.
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