Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager

About the role

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager leads kaizens, rapid improvements, and problem-solving on real processes, sets the "how we improve" standard through visible role-model behavior, coaches and develops people daily, owns the site CI execution, drives strategy to execution, delivers measurable business impact, runs CI governance per playbook, benchmarks and spreads best practices, and leads the CI steering committee.

Responsibilities

• Lead by doing personally lead kaizens, rapid improvements, and problem-solving on real processes; set the “how we improve” standard through visible role-model behavior.
• Coach and develop people daily: train and coach hourly and salaried teams in real time to build confidence and capability in CI basics and disciplined execution.
• Owes the site CI execution: Uses One Watts Performance System (OWPS) tools, routines (daily management, standard work, visual management, tiered accountability) and ensure sustainment.
• Drive strategy to execution: facilitate strategy/goal deployment and translate priorities into an active, cross-functional improvement funnel and roadmap.
• Deliver measurable business impact: identify and prioritize opportunities; track, validate, and multilevel communications and balanced-scorecard results (AOP and beyond).
• Run CI governance per playbook: lead the CI steering committee, remove barriers, and ensure cross-functional alignment with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Benchmark and spread best practices: identify internal/external best practices and help replicate what works across the site and Watts.

Requirements

• Operations-minded leader with 7+ years in manufacturing/operations and a track record of hands-on improvement delivery (not just facilitation).
• Bachelor’s degree (Engineering, Operations, Business, or related) or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coach teams on the floor, influence across functions, and build engagement with hourly and salaried workforces.
• Proven results improving productivity; SQDC, with the ability to translate CI work into measurable financial/operational impact.
• Strong capability in practical Lean methods (e.g., VSM, daily management, standard work, visual management, 5S, SMED, TPM, material flow/layout, structured problem solving).
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and organizational skills; comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced plant environment.
• Proficiency in Excel/PowerPoint/Word; strong data sense and the ability to communicate clearly to all levels.

Qualifications

• Lean transformation or Six Sigma Black Belt strongly preferred.
• Operations supervision or production management preferred.
• SAP experience preferred.

Skills

• Operations supervision or production management preferred.
• SAP experience preferred.

Benefits

Competitive compensation based on your skills, qualifications and experience
Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits
Family building benefits, including paid maternity/paternity leave
10 paid holidays and Paid Time Off
Continued professional development opportunities and educational reimbursement
Additional perks such as fitness reimbursements and employee discount programs
Learn more about our benefit offerings here: https://tapintowattsbenefits.com/