Location: Chicago, IL (HQ)
Hybrid: 3 days/week in office, 2 days remote
Travel: 35%
Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role, Continuous Improvement Manager.
Overview:
We’re actively looking for a hands-on Continuous Improvement Manager to support plant operations in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing and repair environment. You will lead strategic process improvement initiatives that enhance Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost performance across our operations. This role plays a key part in establishing and sustaining daily visual management systems, leading audits, facilitating daily standups, and partnering closely with shop-level teams and maintenance laborers to implement sustainable improvements.
Responsibilities:
- Lead Kaizen events, blitz activities, and 5S initiatives to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost
- Conduct monthly and bi-monthly audits and ensure compliance with CI standards
- Drive cross-functional collaboration and coach teams to adopt a CI mindset
- Develop, implement, and sustain daily visual management boards and tiered accountability processes
- Facilitate daily standups and coach teams on interpreting visual performance indicators (SQDC, throughput, WIP, downtime, and constraints)
- Use visual management to escalate issues, track countermeasures, and ensure timely problem resolution
- Support strategic projects and capital initiatives
- Mentor and empower teams to lead their own improvement events
- Utilize tools like Power BI, Excel, MMS, Salesforce, ETQ (experience preferred but not required)
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment
- Experience working in low-volume, high-mix environments strongly preferred
- Strong leadership and coaching ability (no direct reports, but must influence and mentor effectively)
- Lean or Continuous Improvement certification is a plus (not required)
- Familiarity with CI systems and data-driven decision-making
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
SE#510781496
