VP, Continuous Improvement
Job Summary
The Vice President of Continuous Improvement (VP CI) will lead Southwire's enterprise-wide CI strategy, embedding a culture of operational excellence, continuous improvement execution, and sustainable performance improvement. This role aligns CI initiatives with Southwire's strategic goals to drive measurable impact across safety, quality, customer service, and cost efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute a comprehensive CI strategy aligned with Southwire's strategic goals, cascading through all levels of organization.
Select high-impact projects, prioritize resources, and ensure alignment between improvement efforts and business outcomes.
Tailor materials to fit organizational context and ensure that CI learning translates into measurable improvements.
Validate financial benefits and ensure compliance with methodology standards. Serve as custodian of quality within the improvement framework.
Define and track KPIs to measure the effectiveness of CI initiatives. Drive accountability for results and ensure alignment with Southwire’s strategic pillars.
Provide technical guidance, review project progress, and help practitioners apply the right tools for the right problems. Goal is to develop future leaders in process excellence.
Play a key role in building a culture of continuous improvement - promoting collaboration, problem solving, and data-driven decision making at every level.
Partner with Business, Functional, and Operations leaders to integrate CI into all business processes and leadership behaviors.
Serve as a catalyst for change, helping teams navigate transformation with clarity, consistency, and purpose. Support the evolution of supervisory roles to align with modern leadership expectations.
Establish and maintain a robust external benchmarking program to identify best-in-class practices across industries. Translate insights into actionable strategies that elevate Southwire’s performance and competitiveness.
Required Education & Experience
Bachelor's Degree
Years of Experience: 15+ Years
Field(s) of Expertise: Wire and Cable, Heavy Industrial with continuous processes, Electrical Industry
Preferred Education & Experience
Master's Degree
Certificates/Licenses: Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Certification, Continuous Improvement Methodologies or similar
Spans of Control
Does this role manage Southwire Team Members: Yes
Number of Direct Reports: 2-5
Travel
Domestic - up to 50% of time
Physical Requirements
Carrying/Lifting - 5% of time (Weight 45)
Climbing - 5% of time
Crawling - 5% of time
Kneeling/Stooping - 5% of time
Driving - 5% of time
Moving - 5% of time
Sitting - 50% of time
Standing - 5% of time
Walking - 10% of time
Pushing/Pulling - 5% of time (Weight 45)
Working Conditions
Office
Plant/Warehouse Floor
Variety of Shifts
Overtime, Weekends, Holidays
Extreme Heat/Cold
Heights/Elevated Platforms
Equipment
Computer/Keyboard
Safety Glasses
Safety Shoes
Benefits We Offer
401k with Matching
Family and Individual Insurance Packages (Health, Life, Dental, and Vision)
Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
Long & Short-Term Disability
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Referral Program
Tuition Reimbursement Programs
Advancement & Professional Growth opportunities
Parental Leave
& More