Continuous Improvement Manager

METTLER TOLEDO is a global leader in precision instruments and services, renowned for innovation and quality across laboratory, process analytics, industrial, product inspection, and retailing applications. Products are sold in more than 140 countries with a direct presence in approximately 40 countries.

About the role

The Masstron Producing Organization (MTMS) designs, develops, and produces products within the METTLER TOLEDO Vehicle and Heavy Capacity product families, supporting the Vehicle Scale Strategic Business Unit. This Continuous Improvement Manager leads CI projects using Lean methodology to drive production area improvements plant-wide. The role applies Lean tools including 5S, Kaizen, 8 Wastes, Value Stream Mapping, Visual Management, Standard Work, and Root Cause Analysis to improve quality, delivery, and cost performance, while fostering a CI culture across all departments and shifts. Responsibilities include coaching Kaizen event champions, building a site-level CI network, and aligning CI priorities with plant leadership. This single-facility role reports to the Head of Operations with a dotted line to the Head of North America and to SternDrive, the enterprise CI program.

Responsibilities

• Build working relationships with plant management and production teams; serve as an action-oriented leader mentoring and motivating team members to positively impact facility performance
• Lead by example using the "I Do, We Do, You Do" philosophy to drive sustainable CI results
• Act as a communications hub disseminating timely information related to improvement efforts
• Support and reinforce the facility's safety culture, partnering with the Safety team to sustain safe work practices on the production floor
• Continuously review culture for growth and alignment with CI/5S objectives and provide feedback to management
• Seek out opportunities to improve team member knowledge base
• Be hands-on with the team to ensure initiatives are completed on time; help sustain program gains and move them forward by helping others work through obstacles to 5S
• Record and promote documentation of production indicators and abnormalities on Hour-by-Hour boards, SQDC boards, and daily Gemba walks
• Manage projects directly linked to improvement of primary KPI goals
• Lead the production team in 5S and Visual Management initiatives in accordance with company goals
• Work with the supervisory group to monitor production consistency and effectiveness of implementations to sustain CI/5S standards
• Develop and execute implementation of internal and external Kanban to drive efficiencies in material movement and productivity
• Drive end-to-end Value Stream Mapping to identify kaizen bursts and deliver on the Future State VSM
• Drive CI-Lean self-assessments to identify opportunities and develop a Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) to demonstrate progress
• Act as a Change Agent: provide support for SQDC, 5S, lead small production team improvement initiatives, support CI leaders' project implementations, and support any other lean project related to manufacturing
• Manage and lead SternDrive initiatives to drive Shop Floor Productivity, Material Cost Reductions, Back Office Productivity, and other foundational program areas
• Assist the Operations Manager in developing and executing the Operations plan to support SternDrive and growth in MTPA (Mettler Toledo Plant Assessment) criteria
• Represent MTMS in best-practice sharing across manufacturing during Regional Experience Sharing conferences

Requirements

• 5+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing, including roles leading others in a production environment
• Formal or informal leadership experience with a proven record of taking initiative and driving change
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, with excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, clear communicator, and demonstrated relationship-building skills
• Ability to function through influence in the absence of positional authority; able to form and motivate a team without official authority to accomplish self-directed goals
• Organizationally sensitive, able to engage and influence without creating conflict
• Track record of building buy-in and working effectively across cross-functional teams
• Experience with Continuous Improvement implementation and project management, with a results-oriented approach
• Knowledge of Continuous Improvement methodologies and tools
• Experience leading teams in root cause analysis and Kaizen events
• Ability to identify waste and resolve disturbances across the entire process
• Ability to execute Value Stream Mapping on current and future states
• Creativity in developing new ways of working and new methodologies
• Good analytical skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; degree in Engineering (e.g., Welding, Mechanical, Industrial) preferred
• Advanced degree/MBA preferred
• Practical experience in heavy manufacturing strongly preferred
• Experience working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision care coverage and a 401(k) savings plan with company matching – all starting on date of hire
• Tuition reimbursement, employee wellness programs, plus other perks and discounts
• Parental and caregiver leave policies
• Paid time off, flexible spending, short- and long-term disability, basic life insurance, business travel insurance, Employee Assistance Program, and domestic partner benefits
• Global market strength and worldwide leadership in weighing
• Brand name identified worldwide with precision, quality, and innovation
• Thousands of patents, design and innovation awards
• Commitment to extraordinary service on state-of-the-art equipment