Director, Continuous Improvement

Job DescriptionDirector of Continuous ImprovementJob SummaryThe Director of Continuous Improvement will partner across operations and site leadership to design deploy and oversee the organizations overall operational excellence and continuous improvement strategies. These strategies will strengthen operational performance reduce waste improve process reliability and enhance customer satisfaction. This individual will act as an enterprise-wide change agent challenging the status quo and introducing structured methodologies to optimize workflows maximize financial outcomes and elevate customer satisfaction helping to sustain measurable performance gains. The role bridges strategic corporate vision with hands-on frontline ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Cultural TransformationDefine the CI Roadmap: Author and execute a multi-year continuous improvement strategy aligned with overarching business a Kaizen Culture: Promote an enterprise-wide mindset of process excellence accountability and Alignment: Collaborate with executive leadership to prioritize pipeline projects and manage operational Optimization & ExecutionDeploy Lean/Six Sigma: Apply advanced tools (e.g. Value Stream Mapping 5S Root Cause Analysis Kaizen events) to eliminate & Metric Linkage: Connect operational wins (e.g. cycle times capacity quality) directly to bottom-line financial Cross-Functional Projects: Spearhead high-impact complex projects that span multiple business units or manufacturing & Team DevelopmentBuild Organizational Capability: Design and launch training programs to educate and certify internal Lean/Six Sigma Talent: Coach site-level CI leaders plant managers and frontline teams in structured & Metrics ManagementEstablish KPIs: Build robust performance dashboards to track the measurable impact of improvement -Cause Analysis: Use statistical tools to identify performance gaps and synthesize recommendations through clear Metrics (KPIs)A successful Director of CI will be evaluated on:Cost savings and avoidance (ROI) from executed efficiency gains (e.g. reduction in lead times defect rates or waste).Training and adoption rates (number of employees certified or engaged in CI activities).Requirements & QualificationsEducation & ExperienceDegree: Bachelors degree in Engineering Supply Chain Business Administration or a related field (Masters or MBA preferred).Experience: 710 years of progressive experience in operations manufacturing supply chain or corporate process : Minimum 35 years in a dedicated management or directorial capacity driving change without always having direct hierarchical (Preferred)Six Sigma Master Black Belt or Black Belt certification from an accredited body is highly Certification (e.g. SME AME or equivalent institutional certification).Core Competencies & SkillsMethodological Expertise: Proficient in Lean Six Sigma Total Quality Management (TQM) or Agile Fluency: Advanced skills in data analysis tools (e.g. Minitab Excel Power BI) and process mapping tools (e.g. Visio Lucidchart).Soft Skills: Exceptional interpersonal negotiation conflict resolution and storytelling skills to influence cross-functional of observation analysis and communication skills to support improvement a shared responsibility for both process improvement as well as operational performance with plant and functional tasks primarily in an office environment with regular visits to manufacturing to noise temperature variations and proximity to industrial equipment during site use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when in production areas; adherence to all safety policies and to additional facilities or vendor locations which may include overnight to manage multiple priorities solve problems and make decisions in a fast-paced standing and walking during site visits in manufacturing to lift up to 20 lbs. occasionally for job-related activities.