The Continuous Improvement Leader is responsible for driving operational excellence initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities through the deployment of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and performance management methodologies. This role partners closely with the Automation Engineer, General Managers, and site leadership teams to identify improvement opportunities, reduce waste, increase productivity, improve quality, and enhance overall operational performance. The Continuous Improvement Leader serves as a change agent, coaching leaders and employees in Lean principles while creating sustainable systems and processes that deliver measurable business results. This is a highly collaborative, travel-intensive role requiring strong facilitation, analytical, and leadership skills.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:- Partner with General Managers and site leadership teams to evaluate operational performance and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
- Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping exercises, process improvement workshops, and problem-solving activities.
- Work alongside the Automation Engineer to identify opportunities where process improvements and automation solutions can improve productivity and reduce labor content.
- Support the development and execution of site-specific operational improvement roadmaps.
- Drive standardization of best practices, work methods, and operational processes across facilities.
- Analyze operational data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
- Coach and mentor plant leadership teams on Lean principles, problem-solving methodologies, and continuous improvement tools.
- Implement and sustain Lean systems including, 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Kaizen, etc.
- Establish measurable improvement targets and track project results.
- Lead cross-functional teams to execute improvement projects and ensure sustainability of gains achieved.
- Promote a culture of accountability, employee engagement, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
- Support integration and replication of successful improvements across multiple locations.
- Ensure all improvement initiatives align with safety, quality, and operational objectives.
- Prepare and present progress updates, project results, and performance metrics to senior leadership.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCERequired- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field) or equivalent experience.
- 7+ years of manufacturing, operations, Lean, or continuous improvement experience.
- Demonstrated success leading Lean transformation or operational excellence initiatives.
- Experience facilitating Kaizen events and process improvement projects.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, labor productivity, quality systems, and operational metrics.
- Ability to travel extensively to support multiple manufacturing locations.
- Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred).
- Experience in multi-site manufacturing environments.
- Experience supporting automation
- Experience implementing operational management systems and KPI scorecards.
- Prior leadership or management experience.
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
- Proven ability to lead organizational change and influence without direct authority.
- Ability to coach leaders and frontline teams through process and cultural transformation.
- Experience developing and implementing sustainable operating systems.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Power BI, and data analysis tools.
