Continuous Improvement Leader

About the Opportunity

A manufacturing organization is seeking a hands-on Continuous Improvement Leader to identify operational opportunities, implement practical improvements, and establish sustainable processes. This position offers the opportunity to help build a continuous improvement function, work closely with plant and senior manufacturing leadership, and influence improvement practices across a multi-location organization.

Position Overview

The Continuous Improvement Leader will spend substantial time on the manufacturing floor, observing processes, identifying waste, determining root causes, and personally implementing improvements. This role requires a self-directed professional who can independently identify priorities, work effectively with production employees and supervisors, and ensure improvements become part of daily operations.

The position may initially operate as an individual contributor while the broader continuous improvement structure develops.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct gemba walks to observe manufacturing processes and identify improvement opportunities.
• Identify and reduce unnecessary walking, waiting, rework, and workflow inefficiencies.
• Investigate operational problems and determine root causes.
• Personally implement practical process improvements that increase efficiency and consistency.
• Develop and establish standard work to sustain improved processes.
• Work directly with production employees, supervisors, and plant leadership to make changes effective and sustainable.
• Independently identify, prioritize, and drive continuous improvement projects.
• Measure improvement results and verify that changes are sustained.
• Help develop the organization’s continuous improvement capability.

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on Lean or continuous improvement experience in manufacturing.
• Significant experience working directly on the manufacturing floor.
• Demonstrated ability to personally identify and implement process improvements with measurable results.
• Strong root-cause analysis and practical problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing and implementing standard work.
• Ability to initiate and drive projects independently.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build credibility with production employees, supervisors, and leadership.
• A practical, observant approach and willingness to challenge existing processes.

Preferred Experience

• Experience helping establish or mature a continuous improvement program.
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles, including gemba, waste elimination, root-cause analysis, and standard work.

Opportunity Highlights

• Help build and shape a developing continuous improvement function.
• Take ownership of improvements with immediate, visible impact on manufacturing operations.
• Work directly with the Plant Manager and closely with the Senior Vice President of Manufacturing.
• Potential to influence continuous improvement practices across multiple manufacturing locations.

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