Position Summary The Lean Manager is a senior continuous improvement professional responsible for leading complex Lean initiatives, targeted performance improvement efforts, and Parker Lean System deployment across assigned sites, value streams, or business-critical processes. This role serves as a senior Lean resource and primary point of contact for assigned site or multisite improvement initiatives.
The Lean Manager applies expert knowledge of Parker Lean System methodologies, advanced problem solving, data analysis, change leadership, and business process improvement to drive measurable performance improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, and customer experience. This role leads large kaizen events, supports site performance recovery, coaches leaders and teams, and ensures that improvement activities are aligned with business strategy and sustained through disciplined management systems.
The role exercises broad discretion and independent judgment in assessing business needs, determining improvement strategies, prioritizing initiatives, influencing leadership decisions, deploying Lean tools, and ensuring benefit realization.
The role interacts with site, division, and functional leadership, as well as Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, Quality, EHS, Human Resources, and other business partners.
Responsibilities Parker Lean System Deployment, Ownership and Governance- Serve as a senior subject matter expert in Parker Lean System methodologies and tools within assigned site, multisite, or division-supported initiatives.
- Lead development, documentation, deployment, and sustainment of PLS fundamentals, including standard work, 5S/6S, visual management, tiered daily management, leader standard work, strategy deployment, and daily accountability processes.
- Partner with and coach site leadership to drive strategy deployment activities, including data analysis, prioritization, goal alignment, project selection, portfolio tracking, kaizen chartering, and preparation.
- Ensure best practices are identified, standardized, scaled, and sustained across assigned value streams, sites, or business processes.
- Drive sustainment checks, countermeasure follow-up, escalation routines, and governance mechanisms to ensure improvement results are maintained.
- Support assigned sites or business units in achieving top-quartile performance through disciplined Lean deployment and execution.
Event and Project Execution- Lead large, complex kaizen events and business-critical improvement workshops from planning through execution, report-out, sustainment, and benefits validation.
- Determine appropriate improvement strategies, Lean tools, project structures, and analytical approaches based on business needs, operational complexity, and performance gaps.
- Apply expert Lean methods, including value stream mapping, flow/pull systems, standard work, SMED, TPM, visual management, kanban, error proofing, layout optimization, process redesign, and daily management systems.
- Drive value stream, site, or multisite continuous improvement projects to completion within agreed timelines, scope, and business objectives.
- Manage complex stakeholder groups, risks, barriers, resources, and action plans.
- Lead targeted improvement initiatives related to performance metric improvement, site performance recovery, operational turnaround support, customer-impacting issues, or other major business priorities.
- Ensure project benefits are validated, documented, and sustained in partnership with Operations, Finance, and site leadership.
Problem Solving and Analytics- Serve as an expert coach to leaders, practitioners, and cross-functional teams on structured problem-solving methods, including 5-Why, 10-step problem solving, PDCA, A3, root cause analysis, and DMAIC concepts.
- Analyze complex operational and business data to identify root causes, prioritize improvement opportunities, and recommend solutions.
- Evaluate data accuracy, trends, process capability, performance gaps, and improvement impact.
- Establish and oversee CI dashboards, KPI tracking, project portfolio metrics, and benefit realization methods.
- Use analytical insight to influence leadership decisions regarding project prioritization, resource allocation, and improvement strategy.
- Ensure control plans, sustainment plans, standard work updates, visual controls, and management routines are deployed and followed across assigned areas.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Participate in, support, and coach High Performance Teams across assigned areas or sites.
- Build strong working relationships with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Finance, EHS, HR, and leadership teams to drive process improvement and business results.
- Provide senior-level Lean guidance and functional leadership to project teams to ensure correct application of PLS tools and practices.
- Influence leaders and teams across functions, levels, and sites to align around improvement priorities and sustainment expectations.
- Coach Lean Practitioner I, Lean Practitioner II, supervisors, managers, and site leaders in Lean behaviors, systems, and tools.
- Liaise with suppliers or customers on CI-related issues or improvement initiatives as assigned and aligned with business objectives.
Communication and Change Leadership- Provide clear and effective communication on project status, performance gaps, risks, countermeasures, benefits, and escalation needs.
- Lead executive-level or site leadership report-outs, project reviews, kaizen readouts, and improvement governance discussions.
- Lead training and coaching on PLS fundamentals and advanced Lean topics for operators, team leaders, supervisors, managers, and site leadership.
- Drive change adoption by aligning stakeholders, addressing resistance, reinforcing standard work, and embedding daily improvement behaviors.
- Promote a culture of accountability, employee engagement, disciplined problem solving, and continuous improvement.
The essential functions have been provided as example of the type of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. The company reserves the right to modify the work assignments and/or to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions. The job description is not intended to be an inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. It is intended to describe the general nature of the position.
Qualifications Education and Experience- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related field required; equivalent relevant experience may be considered where appropriate.
- Minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, continuous improvement, Lean, quality, supply chain, engineering, or a related environment.
- Experience in a plant environment within Supply Chain, Operations, Lean, Quality, Engineering, or a closely related function preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex Lean initiatives, kaizen events, value stream improvements, site-level performance improvement projects, or business-critical continuous improvement initiatives required.
- Experience supporting multiple sites, targeted performance recovery efforts, or high-impact cross-functional initiatives preferred.
- International experience preferred but not required.
Knowledge and Skills- Expert knowledge of Parker Lean System principles, Lean enterprise methods, and continuous improvement systems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional improvement initiatives with measurable business impact.
- Advanced problem-solving capability using A3, PDCA, root cause analysis, 10-step problem solving, DMAIC concepts, and practical countermeasure implementation.
- Strong knowledge of strategy deployment, daily management, leader standard work, value stream mapping, standard work, SMED, TPM, 5S/6S, visual management, flow/pull, kanban, error proofing, and sustainment systems.
- Ability to coach leaders and teams at multiple organizational levels.
- Strong business acumen, including the ability to connect Lean activity to SQDCI performance, financial impact, customer outcomes, and operational strategy.
- Ability to influence without direct authority and lead through ambiguity in complex business environments.
- Strong collaboration, communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365, data analysis tools, and business reporting systems.
- Familiarity with ERP, MES, production reporting, or business intelligence systems preferred.
Benefits- Comprehensive coverage for medical, prescription drugs, dental, vision, voluntary optional life, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance and critical illness insurance with competitive premium cost.
- 401(k) Plan with company matching contributions at 100% of the first 5% of pay.
- Company provided defined-contribution retirement plan with annual contribution equal to 3% of pay.
- Career development and tuition reimbursement.
- Other benefits including paid parental leave, short and long-term disability programs, adoption assistance, a Care.com membership and financial planning assistance are provided at no cost to you.
- Supplemental benefit programs including identity protection, legal protection, and pet wellness are available at competitive rates.
Paid Time Off and Company-Paid Holidays.
