Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager

Job Description:

• Champion Astemos Operational Excellence System (OES) by training coaching and implementing key fundamentals across all functions.
• Own the sites OES roadmap maturity progression audit readiness and improvement action plans.
• Develop and sustain a culture of continuous improvement through coaching employee engagement and leadership development.
• Drive measurable improvements in Safety Quality Delivery Cost and People (SQDCP) performance through structured improvement initiatives.
• Establish and maintain governance processes to ensure continuous improvement activities are aligned with site and organizational objectives.
• Lead the planning facilitation and execution of Kaizen events productivity workshops value stream mapping activities and other improvement initiatives.
• Identify prioritize and implement opportunities that improve productivity capacity quality efficiency and cost performance.
• Quantify track and report savings and business impact generated through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead the sites continuous improvement project pipeline and ensure timely execution of action plans.
• Oversee and manage the employee improvement suggestion system while promoting workforce engagement and participation.
• Support annual productivity planning and cost reduction objectives.
• Analyze operational processes performance data labor utilization and production metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead structured problem-solving activities utilizing 8D A3 DMAIC 5 Why Fishbone and other root-cause analysis methodologies.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams in identifying solutions implementing corrective actions and verifying effectiveness.
• Establish and audit standard work systems while supporting Operations and Engineering in maintaining accurate workstation documentation.
• Review and update standard cycle times and labor standards to reflect current operating conditions and customer requirements.
• Develop and sustain visual management systems daily management routines layered accountability processes and performance review systems.
• Ensure continuous monitoring and improvement of manufacturing processes through data-driven decision making.
• Drive waste elimination initiatives focused on reducing non-value-added activities cycle time inventory scrap rework and downtime.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations in new product launches equipment installations process design and productivity improvement projects.
• Lead coach and develop Continuous Improvement personnel and cross-functional teams to build organizational capability.
• Provide direction coaching and support to leaders and associates regarding continuous improvement principles and methodologies.
• Influence stakeholders across all functional areas to support continuous improvement objectives and cultural transformation.
• Facilitate training programs workshops and coaching sessions related to Lean Manufacturing OES problem-solving and operational excellence.
• Support compliance with all company customer safety quality and environmental requirements.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering Manufacturing Operations Business or a related field.
• Progressive experience in Continuous Improvement Manufacturing Engineering Operations Industrial Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading Kaizen events productivity workshops operational excellence initiatives and cross-functional improvement projects.
• Proven experience achieving measurable improvements in productivity quality cost safety inventory lead time or other key operational metrics.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing systems and Operational Excellence frameworks preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred.
• Demonstrated success generating measurable improvements in safety quality productivity cost inventory or lead time.

Skills

• Strong leadership coaching and mentoring abilities.
• Excellent written verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong facilitation skills with the ability to lead large groups and drive consensus.
• Demonstrated ability to influence associates and leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a data-driven mindset.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing tools including Value Stream Mapping Standard Work 5S Visual Management. Kanban SMED Root Cause Analysis and Kaizen Methodology.
• Knowledge of industrial engineering principles including Time Studies Line Balancing Labor Optimization Capacity Analysis and Productivity Measurement.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience utilizing data visualization and reporting tools such as Power BI preferred.
• Self-directed and results-oriented with the ability to work independently and drive initiatives to completion.

Communication Skills

Must possess strong verbal written presentation and interpersonal communication skills and be able to effectively communicate in Business English with associates customers suppliers and leadership teams.

Physical Requirements

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity disability protected veteran status and national origin.

At Astemo were challenging the status quo with the power of diversity inclusion and collaboration. Our goal is to build an inclusive work environment that celebrates the differences of our employees. We want to ensure that every employee feels valued respected and empowered. We dont just accept differencewe celebrate it we support it and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees our products and our community. Astemo is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job at Astemo please send the nature of the request and contact information to when applying for the position.