Continuous Improvement Manager

Continuous Improvement Manager

Drive Operational Excellence in a High-Performance Manufacturing Environment

We are seeking an experienced Continuous Improvement Manager to lead operational excellence initiatives within a fast-paced manufacturing facility. This leadership role is responsible for driving sustainable improvements in productivity, quality, safety, equipment performance, and cost efficiency through the application of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a strong manufacturing background who thrives on the production floor, builds relationships across departments, and delivers measurable business results through process improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence & Strategy

·        Lead and execute the facility’s continuous improvement strategy aligned with business objectives.

·        Partner with plant leadership to identify and prioritize high-impact improvement opportunities.

·        Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

·        Support operational goals related to productivity, quality, safety, cost reduction, and customer service.

Process Improvement

·        Conduct value stream mapping and workflow analysis to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks.

·        Lead Kaizen events and improvement projects focused on:

o  Reducing scrap, waste, and defects

o  Improving equipment uptime and reliability

o  Streamlining changeovers and setup times

o  Enhancing labor utilization and production flow

·        Implement and sustain 5S, visual management, and standardized work practices.

·        Utilize root cause analysis tools to solve recurring operational challenges.

Equipment & Manufacturing Efficiency

·        Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering teams to support Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives.

·        Analyze downtime trends and implement corrective actions to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

·        Support automation and process improvement projects that increase productivity and reduce operational costs.

Training & Employee Development

·        Train supervisors, team leads, engineers, and operators on Lean and continuous improvement methodologies.

·        Coach and mentor employees on problem-solving techniques and process improvement tools.

·        Support development programs that strengthen continuous improvement capabilities across the organization.

Performance Measurement

·        Establish and track key performance indicators including:

o  OEE

o  Scrap and yield performance

o  Labor productivity

o  Throughput and cycle times

o  Safety metrics

o  Cost savings initiatives

·        Develop reports and dashboards to communicate project status and results to leadership.

Change Management

·        Lead change management efforts to ensure improvements are adopted and sustained.

·        Promote employee engagement and ownership of continuous improvement initiatives.

·        Foster a culture focused on accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

Required

·        Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Industrial Technology, or a related field.

·        5+ years of Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, or Manufacturing Leadership experience.

·        Demonstrated success implementing Lean initiatives within a manufacturing environment.

·        Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and problem-solving methodologies.

·        Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects with measurable results.

·        Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership skills.

·        Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making abilities.

Preferred

·        Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

·        Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

·        Experience with TPM, SMED, Kaizen facilitation, and Value Stream Mapping.

·        Familiarity with ERP and MES systems.

·        Advanced proficiency in Excel, Power BI, Minitab, or similar analytical tools.

·        PMP or change management certifications are a plus.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will drive measurable improvements such as:

·        Increased productivity and throughput

·        Reduced scrap, downtime, and quality defects

·        Improved equipment performance and operational efficiency

·        Shorter lead times and enhanced delivery performance

·        Strong employee engagement in continuous improvement activities

·        Development of Lean capabilities throughout the organization

If you are passionate about operational excellence and enjoy transforming manufacturing performance through people, processes, and data, we encourage you to apply.