Lean Transformation Manager

About the Role

This is a leadership position for a true Lean transformation agent. You will own the site-wide Lean strategy, drive measurable business impact, and embed continuous improvement into the culture—not just run events. The role reports directly to the Site Director and has full authority to shape priorities, influence leadership, and deliver sustained results across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Growth.

Responsibilities

• Build and drive a site-wide Lean roadmap aligned to business strategy using Hoshin Kanri.
• Partner directly with the Site Director to prioritize high-impact opportunities.
• Lead measurable gains in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Growth through targeted Kaizen events.
• Focus on high-volume, high-revenue value streams to ensure hard, tracked results—not theoretical improvements.
• Challenge leadership teams and embed Lean thinking into daily decisions, not just projects.
• Ensure sustainability through standard work, daily management, and accountability systems.
• Develop operators, supervisors, and leaders into capable problem solvers.
• Coach the organization on Lean thinking, not just tools, and create a pipeline of future Lean leaders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (industrial engineering strongly preferred).
• 3–5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with leadership in Kaizen and Continuous Improvement.
• Proven track record of driving measurable improvements (cost, throughput, lead time, etc.).
• Deep expertise in Value Stream Transformation, Flow & Pull Systems, Hoshin Kanri, SMED, TPM, Standard Work, and Daily Management & Visual Systems.
• Proficiency leading cost reduction and process flow improvement initiatives.
• Strong ability to facilitate Kaizen Events and identify future Lean-minded personnel.
• Proficiency with Kaizen tools such as 3P, TAKT Time, Standard Work Combination Sheets, Standard WIP, and Kaizen Newspaper.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to provide leadership and strategic direction as part of the site leadership team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Master certification on TPS or Danaher Business System.
• Project management experience with a proven track record of meeting timelines or proactively adjusting to achieve planned goals.
• Agile certification such as SCALE.
• Change management certification such as PROSCI.
• Strong analytical background: SPC, Hypothesis Testing, Regression, and Correlation Analysis.
• Advanced problem-solving skills: 5-Whys, 8D, Shainin, etc.

Skills

• Influence leaders who do not report to you and drive behavioral change, not just process improvements.
• Push for impact over activity and operate as a strategic partner, not a support function.