Continuous Improvement Manager acts as a change agent by utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and data-driven methodologies to eliminate waste, improve productivity, optimize processes, and support the achievement of company objectives. This role collaborates across multiple sites and departments to deliver operational excellence initiatives that create measurable business value.
Essential Functions:Strategic Leadership
- Partner with the Senior Vice President of Operations to develop and execute LION's Operational Excellence roadmap.
- Establish continuous improvement goals aligned with organizational strategic objectives.
- Identify enterprise-wide opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost management, and track improvements through Key KPI's, such as Cost Per Unit, OEE, Progress Trackers, Project Attainment, etc.
- Drive a culture of accountability, problem-solving, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on operational performance and process improvement opportunities.
- Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, standard work exercises, mentorship on projects, cycle time efficiency work, partner on facility layouts and visual mgmt. systems.
- Create/support Pilot projects to then be replicated across MFG sites; Promote Lean Best Practices, Coach Greenbelts and Yellowbelts, Train employees on 5S and 8 Wastes, and partner with Ops Leadership on driving successful Operational projects.
Lean Manufacturing and Operations Excellence
- Lead implementation and sustainment of Lean Manufacturing principles across all operations.
- Drive initiatives focused on:
- Waste reduction
- Labor efficiency
- Setup reduction
- Throughput improvement
- Inventory optimization
- Quality improvement
- Lead-time reduction
- Develop and maintain standard work, visual management systems, and process controls.
- Promote 5S, Kaizen, root cause analysis, and problem-solving disciplines throughout the organization.
Project Leadership
- Lead complex cross-functional improvement projects from concept through implementation and sustainment.
- Develop and mentor on project charters, timelines, milestones, and performance measures.
- Ensure projects deliver measurable operational and financial results.
- Present project updates and ROI analyses to leadership.
- Manage multiple continuous improvement initiatives simultaneously.
Data Analytics and Business Performance
- Analyze operational data to identify trends, opportunities, and performance gaps.
- Develop and maintain dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Utilize manufacturing and business systems to evaluate performance and drive decision-making.
- Support financial analysis of improvement opportunities and validate realized savings.
Culture and Capability Development
- Develop and deliver training on Lean, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement methodologies, while also providing Cost Savings Initiatives in partnership with OLT
- Coach supervisors, managers, and plant leadership teams in structured problem-solving techniques.
- Establish employee engagement and rewards/celebration programs that encourage participation in improvement activities.
- Build internal organizational capability to sustain and augment CI efforts.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, IT, Product Mgmt & Development, Human Resources, and Finance teams to improve business processes.
- Support facility modifications, automation projects, and operational transformations.
- Collaborate with site leadership to prioritize and execute improvement initiatives.
Safety and Compliance
- Ensure all improvement initiatives support LION's commitment to employee safety.
- Incorporate safety and ergonomic improvements into operational excellence activities.
- Maintain compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and company policies.
- Support continuous improvement efforts related to quality systems and customer requirements.
Additional Responsibilities:- Lead cross-functional teams and improvement initiatives across manufacturing sites.
- Provide coaching and mentorship to operational leaders and site management teams.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Education & Experience Qualifications:Required- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field required.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations, or continuous improvement.
- Minimum 3 years of leadership experience driving Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence initiatives.
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise-level process improvement projects with measurable business impact.
- Experience within a manufacturing environment required.
Preferred- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Certified Lean Practitioner
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar a plus.
Physical Requirements:- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout a manufacturing or warehouse environment for extended periods.
- Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 30 pounds.
- Ability to communicate effectively and safely in an operational environment.
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to travel between manufacturing locations as needed.
