Continuous Improvement Manager

Responsibilities

• Accelerate operational performance by embedding a culture of disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and accountability within the plant.
• Lead the deployment and sustainment of the Reynolds Production System (RPS), ensuring consistent application of lean principles, standard work, and data-driven decision making.
• Translate business objectives into actionable CI strategies that deliver measurable performance improvement.
• Execute improvement initiatives that drive sustainable gains in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Productivity (SQDCP/P).
• Serve as a connector between operations, engineering, and technical teams to accelerate adoption of new technologies and process improvements.
• Own and manage the CI project pipeline, ensuring initiatives are scoped appropriately, executed effectively, and deliver targeted financial and operational results.
• Establish and maintain a robust auditing and governance process to reinforce RPS standards and drive accountability across all levels of the organization.
• Facilitate regular performance reviews with plant leadership to assess capability maturity, identify gaps, and adjust improvement plans accordingly.
• Champion lean methodologies including Kaizen, Daily Management Systems, Standard Work, 6S, Layered Process Audits, and structured problem-solving.
• Build organizational capability by coaching and developing leaders at all levels to lead and sustain improvement efforts independently.
• Design and deliver training programs to strengthen technical and leadership competencies aligned with RPS expectations.
• Partner cross-functionally with business unit CI leadership to share best practices, replicate successes, and ensure consistency across sites.
• Develop and track key performance indicators, ensuring clear linkage between CI activities and financial impact (cost savings, productivity, efficiency).
• Lead change management efforts to ensure adoption, engagement, and long-term sustainability of process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field required.
• 5+ years of experience driving continuous improvement in a complex manufacturing environment; dedicated CI or operational excellence experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar operational excellence frameworks in a plant setting.
• Prominent ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence without direct authority.
• Strong financial and analytical acumen with the ability to translate operational improvements into measurable business results.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
• Experience with manufacturing systems and tools (e.g., SAP, automation technologies, data systems) preferred.
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience is a plus.