Job Summary

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Director provides enterprise or multi-site leadership for establishing, deploying, and sustaining a comprehensive continuous improvement system across manufacturing operations. This role is accountable for driving measurable performance improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity while building internal capability and embedding a culture of operational excellence across the enterprise.

This role leads the governance, standards, and execution of CI methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, problem solving) and partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance and other business leaders to ensure improvement work is aligned with business strategy and delivers sustained results. The role focuses on making continuous improvement a repeatable operating discipline.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and deploy a structured CI strategy aligned with manufacturing and business objectives.
Establish CI standards, operating rhythms, and governance models.
Lead cross-functional initiatives targeting safety, COPQ, scrap, productivity, cost, service metrics such as OTIF, order to cash, as well as transactional improvements.
Build CI capability through coaching, mentoring, and structured training within manufacturing and distribution sites along with other organizational functions.
Embed CI into daily management systems and leader standard work.
Standardize and deploy best practices across manufacturing and distributions sites.
Partner cross-functionally to align improvement priorities with strategy.
Masters CI methodology to influence organizational strategy and drive the adoption of CI principles across all functions and business areas.
Modifies complex CI strategies to fit the unique needs of the organization, continuously refining processes and methodologies to maximize business impact.

Required Education & Experience

Master's Degree

Specialized Degree: Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or related field

12-14 Years Experience

Field(s) of Expertise: Manufacturing or operations experience

Preferred Education & Experience

15+ Years of Experience

Field(s) of Expertise: Manufacturing or operations experience. Demonstrated success leading large-scale improvement initiatives.

Certificates/Licenses:

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification

Spans of Control

Does this role manage Southwire team members: No

Travel

Domestic - Up to 25% of time

Physical Requirements

Moving - 25% of time

Standing - 25% of time

Sitting - 50% of time

Working Conditions

Office

Plant/Warehouse Floor

Various Shifts

Equipment

Computer/Keyboard

Safety Glasses

Safety Shoes

Safety Vest

Competencies

Action Oriented
Balances Stakeholders
Collaborates
Customer Focus
Nimble Learning
Plans and Aligns

Skills

Continuous Improvement Process
Critical Thinking
Financial Acumen
Influencing Skills
Kaizen Methodology
Lean Six Sigma
Product Quality (QA/QC)
Quality Control
Strategic Planning
Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)