Consultant - Continuous Improvement

Location: Cleveland, OH 44102
Duration: 12 months plus extensions

About the Role

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader will partner with cross-functional teams to identify, prioritize, and execute process improvement initiatives that deliver measurable business results. This individual will serve as a change agent, promoting a culture of operational excellence while coaching teams on continuous improvement principles and methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement projects utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other improvement methodologies.
• Analyze operational performance and identify opportunities to improve quality, productivity, safety, and efficiency.
• Conduct value stream mapping exercises and leverage performance metrics to drive decision-making.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, workshops, problem-solving sessions, and process improvement initiatives.
• Coach and mentor employees on Lean principles, continuous improvement tools, and best practices.
• Develop, implement, and sustain standardized processes to ensure long-term success of improvements.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to track project success and business impact.
• Perform root cause analysis using methodologies such as:
  • 5 Why Analysis
  • Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram
  • Pareto Analysis
  • Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Collaborate with department leaders to prioritize improvement opportunities and align initiatives with business objectives.
• Support change management efforts and encourage employee engagement in continuous improvement activities.
• Prepare executive-level reports and presentations showcasing project progress, savings, and operational impact.
• Champion a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5-10 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Process Excellence, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related environment.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional process improvement projects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience working with ERP systems and business intelligence tools.
• Knowledge of quality management systems such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or similar standards.

Skills

• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Kaizen
• Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
• DMAIC Methodology
• Root Cause Analysis
• Process Mapping
• Statistical Analysis
• Change Management
• Project Management
• Data Analysis
• Team Leadership
• Stakeholder Management
• Continuous Improvement Strategy

Success Metrics

• Cost savings achieved through process improvement initiatives
• Reduction in process cycle times
• Improvement in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), where applicable
• Reduction in defects, rework, and waste
• Increased productivity and operational throughput
• Employee engagement in continuous improvement programs
• On-time completion of improvement projects
• Enhanced customer satisfaction and service performance