Continuous Improvement Engineer III

At GAF, we cover more than just buildings—we cover each other. Under this roof, you’ll have the tools and resources to grow in your career, experience our culture, and empower your teammates, customers, and community. This role drives the future of operational excellence while leading present-day improvements through deep expertise and innovation.

About the Role

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineer III is the strategic driver of operational excellence, orchestrating the integration of continuous improvement methodologies across one or multiple plant facilities. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager with a dotted line to the Director of the GAF Business System, this role holds accountability for maximizing efficiencies and optimizing the plant’s products, systems, operations, and processes. The successful candidate will champion high-impact projects, mentor cross-functional teams, and aggressively drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment of Lean manufacturing principles across a high-velocity production environment, driving measurable, data-backed gains in safety, quality, customer delivery, cost management, and employee engagement.
• Serve as an organizational change agent, orchestrating Kaizen events and achieving critical business objectives through advanced facilitation, coaching, and influence without direct supervisory authority.
• Champion a sustainable, facility-wide continuous improvement culture by engaging cross-functional personnel and developing site capabilities through hands-on project execution and targeted training.
• Analyze operational metrics to pinpoint optimization trends and opportunities, transparently reporting progress to business leaders while ensuring alignment with GAF Business System standards.
• Execute comprehensive operational gap assessments, driving strict site-wide conformance to GAF Business System standards and implementing robust countermeasures to bridge performance deficits.
• Spearhead the development and deployment of process optimization and quality enhancement programs, fostering a continuous improvement culture across the facility.
• Drive targeted Kaizen initiatives that yield sustainable operational gains, systematically packaging and deploying successful frameworks across the plant network.
• Mentor cross-functional teams in root-cause analysis and problem-solving frameworks, elevating organizational capability.
• Forge strategic partnerships with cross-organizational manufacturing leadership to secure buy-in for continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• 8+ years of experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in executing continuous improvement initiatives and systems.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or applied experience.
• Outstanding leadership, organizational, and accountability skills for steering initiatives from conception to sustained process.
• Advanced problem-solving and strategic planning capabilities with data-driven decision-making.
• Proven ability to drive operational excellence by influencing and coaching employees through Lean methodologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Ability to inspire, empower, and positively influence cross-functional teams to achieve business outcomes.
• Exceptional presentation skills, adaptable to all levels—from floor training to executive updates.
• Solid understanding of Statistical Process Control and advanced statistical tools.
• Self-motivated with strong project management acumen, adept at meeting deadlines by coordinating personnel outside direct reporting lines.

Physical Demands

• Stationary Position: Frequently
• Move/Traverse: Frequently
• Stationary Position/Seated: Occasionally
• Transport/Lifting: Frequently
• Transport/Carrying: Frequently
• Exerting Force/Pushing: Frequently
• Exerting Force/Pulling: Frequently
• Ascend/Descend: Frequently
• Balancing: Occasionally
• Position Self/Stooping: Frequently
• Position Self/Kneeling: Frequently
• Position Self/Crouching: Frequently
• Position Self/Crawling: Frequently
• Reaching: Occasionally
• Handling: Occasionally
• Grasping: Frequently
• Feeling: Rarely
• Communicate/Talking: Frequently
• Communicate/Hearing: Frequently
• Repetitive Motions: Frequently
• Coordination: Frequently

Working Conditions

• Extreme cold: Frequently
• Extreme heat: Frequently
• Humid: Frequently
• Wet: Frequently
• Noise: Frequently
• Hazards: Frequently
• Temperature Change: Frequently
• Vibration: Frequently

Travel Requirements: 20%

Pay

Base salary range: $72,000–$99,000. Individual compensation offers will be determined based on geographic location, relevant experience, skills, education, and qualifications.

Benefits

• A wide range of health insurance options, including medical, dental, and vision for you and your family.
• Family-building benefits supporting fertility and parenthood journeys.
• Robust 401K plan with employer match for pre-tax and/or Roth contributions.
• Wellness program, free financial coaching, referral program, and product rebates for your primary residence.
• Professional growth and development through internal training programs and a generous tuition reimbursement program.
• Employee Resource Groups focused on education and allyship for all employees.