Continuous Improvement Manager

Strongward is a long-term disaster recovery organization. We exist to transform disaster from tragedy to strength, equipping hardest-hit homeowners and communities with the capacity to emerge stronger than before. Our services are currently offered across eight states in the South, with active rebuilding sites in New Orleans and communities across Florida.

About the role

This role integrates Toyota Production System (TPS) and Lean principles into Strongward’s disaster recovery, housing construction, and client service operations to improve quality, reduce waste, and shrink the time between disaster and recovery. The Continuous Improvement Manager drives operational efficiency, leads improvement initiatives, partners with cross-functional teams, and coaches staff on practical problem-solving methods that support organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Assess workflows, identify operational gaps, and design strategies to streamline and standardize work, reduce waste, improve quality, and strengthen service delivery. Implements approved Lean/TPS practices in partnership with functional leaders and escalates decisions involving major policy changes, staffing impacts, or organization-wide operational shifts to the Chief Operating Officer.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Gemba walks, and problem-solving workshops with staff and managers to ensure solutions are adopted and sustained. Provides project leadership, facilitation, coaching, and technical guidance to cross-functional teams; may direct project activities and assign improvement-related tasks but does not have direct people-management responsibility unless assigned.
• Establish KPIs, evaluate process improvements, and report progress, risks, barriers, recommendations, and measurable outcomes to leadership. Partners with department leaders to ensure improvements are adopted, sustained, and aligned with Strongward’s mission, operational priorities, and compliance expectations.
• Coach and support staff at all levels on Lean tools, practical problem solving, standardized work, and continuous improvement practices. Influences without direct authority and supports managers and teams in applying new practices consistently across daily work.
• Work across operations divisions and departments to identify challenges, implement scalable solutions, and support faster, more consistent recovery for disaster-impacted communities. Identifies cost-saving opportunities, supports resource planning, recommends investments that improve efficiency, quality, safety, or service delivery, and monitors project-related expenses and resource use within approved parameters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in operations, construction management, business, or a related field required.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in process optimization, Lean manufacturing, business operations, or continuous improvement; experience driving Lean/TPS transformations in nonprofit, construction, or humanitarian settings preferred.
• Strong practical understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, KPI development, change management, and operational performance improvement.
• Strong analytical approach, communication, facilitation, and change leadership skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority and translate complex Lean concepts into clear, practical instructions for staff and volunteer teams.
• Deep passion for disaster resilience, social impact, and optimizing limited resources to serve vulnerable communities faster.
• Must meet applicable legal work authorization requirements and successfully complete required background checks, including criminal history, National Sex Offender Registry, state, and FBI checks.

Pay

Salary range: $92,000 - $125,000