Manufacturing Continuous Improvement Manager

About the role

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage continuous improvement initiatives aligned with operational goals.
• Identify production bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Lead Kaizen events, process improvement workshops, and root cause investigations.
• Apply Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Analyze operational data and use findings to implement sustainable process improvements.
• Partner with manufacturing and operations leaders to improve workflows, labor efficiency, and production performance.
• Train, coach, and mentor employees on continuous improvement tools and best practices.
• Work hands-on with production teams to implement and sustain process changes.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure results.
• Present project progress, performance data, and recommendations to plant leadership and senior management.
• Develop communication strategies that encourage employee involvement and adoption of improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for workflow redesign and strategic capital investments.
• Support multiple shifts as needed to ensure improvements are implemented effectively.
• Ensure all initiatives support safety, product quality, and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• At least 5 years of experience leading or implementing continuous improvement programs in manufacturing.
• Proven ability to lead improvement projects and achieve measurable operational results.
• Strong knowledge of Lean principles, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, Kaizen facilitation, and change management.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret operational data to guide decisions and action plans.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to influence teams across departments and organizational levels.
• Excellent communication, presentation, training, and facilitation skills.
• Strong project management, organization, and time management abilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Commitment to workplace safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Experience in engineer-to-order manufacturing, metal fabrication, or industrial operations.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or another continuous improvement certification.
• Work in both office and manufacturing settings.
• Regularly walk the production floor and collaborate with manufacturing teams.
• Stand, bend, and move throughout production areas during assessments and improvement projects.
• Occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Work flexible hours and support multiple shifts when needed.