Continuous Improvement Manager
Continuous Improvement Specialist
Department: Operations / Manufacturing
Reports To: Director of Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Summary
We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead and facilitate initiatives that drive operational excellence, increase efficiency, and improve overall facility performance. This individual will play a key role in identifying opportunities for improvement, reducing waste, enhancing product quality, and supporting sustainable business growth through data-driven decision making and structured problem solving.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a passion for developing people and processes. This position will work closely with cross-functional teams to implement continuous improvement strategies and foster a culture focused on accountability, engagement, and operational excellence.
A critical element of this role is leading and coaching both Performance Improvement Teams (PITs) and Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) teams, which bring together employees with deep operational knowledge to solve targeted business challenges. The Continuous Improvement Specialist will oversee multiple improvement initiatives simultaneously across a variety of operational focus areas.
Key Responsibilities
Continuous Improvement Leadership
- Serve as the primary onsite leader for continuous improvement efforts.
- Ensure CI activities align with operational objectives and financial performance goals.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
Strategic Execution
- Develop, implement, and sustain improvement initiatives that increase operational efficiency and support long-term business success.
- Utilize data, experience, and sound judgment to make effective decisions and prioritize improvement opportunities.
- Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Finance, and other functional teams to identify, prioritize, and execute improvement projects.
- Foster collaboration and alignment among stakeholders to achieve measurable results.
- Evaluate financial impacts and support data-driven decision-making processes.
- Coach and mentor frontline employees, supervisors, and managers in continuous improvement methodologies and tools.
- Build organizational capability and support employee engagement in improvement activities.
- Lead, facilitate, and support multiple Performance Improvement Teams focused on solving specific operational challenges and driving measurable improvements.
- Lead, facilitate, and support Plan-Do-Check-Act teams focused on structured problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Manage improvement projects from initial concept through implementation and sustainment.
- Ensure projects are completed on schedule and deliver measurable business results.
- Utilize root cause analysis, process mapping, and other continuous improvement tools to identify issues and implement sustainable solutions.
- Develop, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and impact of improvement initiatives.
Qualifications
Experience
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, process improvement, or a related environment.
- Food, beverage, dairy, consumer goods, or other manufacturing industry experience is preferred.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related discipline preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
FAQs
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