Operational Excellent/CI Leader

About the role

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager will lead initiatives to drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline across all manufacturing and support processes. This role partners with cross-functional teams leading strategic process improvement initiatives that enhance Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and execute the continuous improvement strategy in alignment with business objectives, working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Ensure strategies are aligned with operational and regional objectives.
• Identify, prioritize, and manage continuous improvement projects that deliver measurable results in operational impact to safety, quality, delivery, and cost while removing barriers to improve process flow.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, root cause analyses, and other structured improvement activities to achieve targeted outcomes.
• Partner with all departments including Operations, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Sales and Finance to analyze processes, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Monitor and improve key operational metrics that are linked to business goal results.
• Develop dashboards and performance tracking mechanisms to monitor site improvement progress and provide status updates on CI initiatives and activities.
• Lead training sessions and workshops to build site-wide capability in Lean and Six Sigma principles, driving engagement and accountability for continuous improvement at all levels.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects from concept through implementation and sustainment.
• Develop project charters, timelines, and measurable success criteria.
• Partner with Regional Operational Excellence leaders to deploy standardized tools, systems, and best practices.
• Conduct regular reviews and recommend updates and revisions to standard operating procedures, work instructions, and training materials to reflect process improvements.
• Support digital transformation and process automation initiatives where applicable.
• Ensure compliance with all quality regulations, standards and corporate policies including but not limited to ISO 9001:2015 and AAR M-1003 for assigned department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).

5+ years of manufacturing experience with demonstrated continuous improvement leadership.

Experience with project management tools and performance tracking systems.

Experience with Microsoft Office and Project required.

Qualifications

Demonstrated success implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills with the ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop actionable solutions.

Prowledge in influencing without authority and leading cross-functional teams to deliver results in a matrixed manufacturing environment.

Ability to manage multiple changing priorities, set clear objectives, and drive accountability to meet deadlines and deliver measurable improvements while maintaining a strategic perspective.

Excellent facilitation, coaching and communication skills with the ability to engage and motivate teams at all levels of the organization and external partners.

Knowledge and experience with leading Lean Process Improvements.

Licenses and Certifications: Lean certification (Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent) preferred.

Skills

Passionate about transforming processes, optimizing operations, and using data-driven insights to deliver measurable results.

Hands-on work ethic with results focus is required.

Benefits

401(k) savings plan with employer contributions.

Medical, dental and vision insurance.

Wellness programs.

Health savings account, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.

Company paid short-term disability and long-term disability.

Company paid employee basic life and AD&D insurance.

Supplemental employee and dependent life insurance.

Optional accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance.

Adoption, surrogacy, and fertility benefits and assistance.

Commuter benefits.

Paid time off, including 10 paid holidays per calendar year.

Paid vacation days beginning at 120 hours annually.

40 paid sick leave hours annually or as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws.

Tuition assistance is available.

Business travel services.

Employee discounts.

An employee assistance program that includes company paid counseling sessions and legal services.

Attention Applicants: If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please let us know. Likewise, if you are limited in the ability to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, we will determine an alternate way for you to apply. Please contact opwaccommodations@acmecryo.com for assistance with an accommodation.