Job Title: Manager - Continuous Improvement

Function: Physical Flows

Division: North America Fulfillment Services/Professional Products Division

Location: Streetsboro, OH

Reports To: Site Director - Streetsboro (SBO)

What You Will Do:

The Manager of Continuous Improvement will serve as the site leader for Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement while supporting strategic initiatives across the North America Fulfillment Services (NAFS) network.

This role is responsible for developing and deploying sustainable improvement methodologies that enhance safety, service, quality execution, productivity, inventory performance, automation utilization, and cost efficiency throughout distribution center operations. The position will lead the deployment of Lean, GEMBA, Six Sigma, problem-solving, and operational excellence tools while driving a culture of continuous improvement across Streetsboro and other network locations.

Beyond local site responsibilities, the Manager will partner closely with Network of Excellence leaders, site leadership teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and execute network-wide improvement initiatives. This role will act as a key change agent, ensuring best practices are standardized, replicated, and sustained across the NAFS distribution network.

Continuous Improvement Strategy & Deployment

• Develop and execute the site Continuous Improvement roadmap aligned with NAFS operational and strategic objectives.
• Lead the deployment of Lean, Six Sigma, Daily Management System (DMS), Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and Problem-Solving methodologies.
• Identify operational gaps and improvement opportunities through data analysis, process observation, and benchmarking.
• Build and implement sustainable mechanisms that drive productivity, efficiency, inventory accuracy, service, and cost improvements.
• Establish governance processes to ensure improvement initiatives are prioritized, resourced, and successfully executed.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the organization.

Network Operational Excellence Leadership

• Partner with NAFS Network of Excellence leaders to support enterprise-wide continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead or participate in multi-site projects focused on productivity, automation optimization, capacity utilization, labor efficiency, inventory flow, and customer service improvements.
• Support replication and standardization of best practices across NAFS distribution centers.
• Facilitate cross-site benchmarking activities and operational maturity assessments.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Lean systems, operational excellence methodologies, and change management practices.

Data Analytics & Performance Systems

• Develop KPI dashboards and performance management systems that provide actionable operational insights.
• Utilize Power BI, WMS, LMS, and other analytics platforms to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Establish leading and lagging indicators that enable proactive operational decision-making.
• Create mechanisms to monitor productivity, throughput, labor utilization, inventory flow, and process stability.
• Drive data-driven root cause analysis and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Lead Kaizen events, Rapid Improvement Events, and structured problem-solving workshops.
• Evaluate and implement process improvements that increase operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve customer experience.
• Support automation and technology projects, including warehouse automation, robotics, system enhancements, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Optimize warehouse layouts, material flow, storage strategies, and operational processes.
• Develop business cases, financial models, and ROI analyses supporting strategic investments.

Organizational Capability & Talent Development

• Develop site capabilities in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Coach and mentor leaders across all levels of the organization in problem-solving and operational excellence.
• Build continuous improvement capabilities within frontline leadership teams through training, certification, and structured development programs.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice deployment across the NAFS network.
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.

Project & Change Management

• Lead cross-functional projects from concept through implementation and sustainability.
• Create detailed project plans, timelines, milestones, risk mitigation strategies, and communication plans.
• Ensure projects deliver expected business outcomes related to service, productivity, cost, safety, and employee engagement.
• Manage stakeholder alignment across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, IT, and corporate teams.
• Drive adoption of new processes, technologies, and operational standards.

What We Are Looking For:

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or related field.

Experience

• 7+ years of experience leading Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Lean, Engineering, or Supply Chain initiatives.
• Demonstrated success delivering measurable productivity, cost, service, and operational improvements in distribution, logistics, manufacturing, or fulfillment environments.
• Experience leading large-scale cross-functional projects and change initiatives.
• Experience influencing leaders and stakeholders across multiple sites and organizational levels.

Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling capabilities.
• Advanced experience with Power BI, Excel, and data visualization tools.
• Experience with WMS, LMS, ERP, and warehouse technology platforms.
• Proven ability to translate complex operational data into actionable business insights.
• Authorization to work in the US is required. No visa sponsorship is offered for this role.
• The ability to be onsite 5 days a week, as this is an essential function of the position (required)

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 7+ years of experience in Distribution, Supply Chain, and/or Warehousing.
• Experience with Manhattan WMS/LMS
• Previous roles working with external partners or managing external communication
• Integrated Lean Six Sigma experience
• Data analytics skill set

• Ability to meet deadlines, have good organizational skills, work autonomously, and make decisions

• Must have strong communication skills & presentation skills, including but not limited to MS Power BI, and MS Excel
• Solid understanding of logistics and supply chain concepts and principles

The physical demands listed below are those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Work flexible hours/shifts, as needed
• Must be able to lift 35 lbs.
• Ability to travel 10% to 15% throughout the NAFS network.
• Must be able to handle multiple projects and prioritize daily work loads
• Employees are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety vest, steel-toed footwear, and gloves where applicable

Key Success Metrics

The Continuous Improvement Manager will be accountable for delivering measurable results in:

• Productivity Improvement
• Labor Cost Reduction
• Throughput Improvement
• Process Cycle Time Reduction
• Capacity Utilization
• Inventory Accuracy Improvement
• Service Level Enhancement
• Cost Savings / Cost Avoidance
• Automation Utilization
• Kaizen Event Delivery
• Project ROI Achievement
• Operational Excellence Maturity
• Employee Engagement and Capability Development
• Best Practice Replication Across Network Sites

Required Competencies:

• Innovator
  • Share best practices throughout local area and L'Oréal Global
  • Thrive within a changing organization and fast-paced work environment
• Strategist
  • Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
  • Create and provide an environment in which employees can work safely and thrive
• Integrator
  • Self-motivated and work independently and as a team member
  • Influence team and work well in a cross-functional team
• Entrepreneur
  • Manage the plant's assets to maximize our stockholders return
• People Developer
  • Selflessly develop others
  • Build positive work relationships with all levels of the company
• Implement and utilize the L'Oréal USA Manifesto, Behavior Charter and Competencies

What's In It For You:

• Competitive Benefit Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Hybrid Work Policy (3 Days in Office, 2 Days Work from Home)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L'Oréal's Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
• Learning & Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs

Don't meet every single requirement? At L'Oréal, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!