Continuous Improvement Manager

About the role

Lead and support the execution of the Site Continuous Improvement Roadmap, aligning initiatives with business objectives, KPIs, and customer requirements.

Facilitate improvement events and projects (Kaizen, 5S, TPM, Standard Work, SMED, VSM, and RCA) to drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Coach, mentor, and train employees and leaders at all levels to develop problem-solving capability and strengthen ownership of CI principles.

Partner with the Plant Manager and regional CI leadership to ensure alignment of improvement efforts with strategic business priorities.

Embed a culture of continuous improvement by modeling CI behaviors, developing leader standard work, and integrating CI practices into daily management systems.

Implement and sustain visual management and performance systems that enable transparency, accountability, and proactive problem-solving.

Support cultural transformation by engaging employees in daily improvement discussions, team huddles, and cross-functional collaboration.

Identify bottlenecks, waste, and variation processes, using structured problem-solving tools (PDCA, A3, DMAIC, Fishbone, Pareto) to develop sustainable countermeasures.

Facilitate data-driven decision-making by tracking site-level CI metrics, analyzing trends, and communicating results to leadership.

Collaborate with functional departments (EHS, Quality, Operations, Maintenance, Supply Chain) to improve flow, reduce rework, and strengthen process stability.

Support and maintain 5S and workplace organization standards, ensuring safety, efficiency, and visual control throughout the facility.

Celebrate and communicate success stories that reinforce positive change and recognize team contributions.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the site’s CI Steering Committee and provide updates to the Plant Manager and Regional CI Manager.

Serve as the primary CI resource for plant-level improvement initiatives.

Coordinate and sustain improvement actions through standard work and regular follow-up.

Support the integration of continuous improvement practices into Daily Management Systems (DMS), production meetings, and Tiered Huddles.

Drive engagement and ownership of CI at the operator and supervisor level.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of relevant manufacturing or operations experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Demonstrated success in applying Continuous Improvement methodologies (Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, TPM, SMED, Standard Work, DMAIC).

Proven ability to lead and facilitate improvement events that deliver measurable results.

Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to influence and engage across all levels of the organization.

Skilled in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Visio) and capable of using digital CI tracking tools.

Skilled in facilitating and coaching, with the ability to train others and build capability.

Willingness to travel domestically up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional certification(s) in Continuous Improvement (e.g., Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, Lean Practitioner, TPM Certification).

Experience leading cultural change or implementing a CI culture transformation.

Knowledge of manufacturing operations, standard work systems, and performance management.

Success Profile

Passionate advocate for employee engagement and cultural transformation.

Strategic problem-solver who drives improvement through coaching and collaboration.

Hands-on leader who models discipline, respect, and continuous learning.

Leader who develops others by demonstrating and taking the lead to ensure process excellence is foundational to the learning process.

Results-oriented coach who drives others to achieve measurable performance improvements and sustain outcomes.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a factory setting, with most of the time being spent moving around different areas of manufacturing and shipping areas.

The incumbent is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time, as well as talk and listen on the phone and in personal conversations or meetings.

This position will be exposed to all hazards located at manufacturing sites including noise, fumes, excessive heat/cold, dust, welding arc, all chemicals associated with the manufacturing areas, fire, smoke, unstable debris and confined spaces.

Environment is fast-paced and demanding most of the time.

This position will require long days to support the Lean initiative for a multi-site, four shift, seven day a week operation.

The employee is frequently required to use hands to fingers, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms while working in the office with various files and forms and while working on the computer.

Incumbent must utilize proper ergonomic safeguards such as monitor height and positions, keyboard location and height and proper wrist rests.

The incumbent must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds in working with large files, binders, computer equipment and shop equipment.

Benefits

Valmont offers employees and their families a comprehensive Total Wellbeing benefit package to ensure their individual and family’s overall wellness needs are met.

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more

Equal Opportunity Employer

Valmont does not discriminate against any employee or applicant in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.