CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER

Job Overview

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for establishing and leading the site's Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence journey for a new manufacturing plant. This role drives the implementation of the TEOA framework, develops and executes the annual Lean roadmap, and leads continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity performance. As the site's Lean subject matter expert, the Continuous Improvement Manager partners with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to foster a culture of continuous improvement, deliver productivity gains, optimize operational processes, and achieve TEOA Star Level maturity.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing framework for the new manufacturing plant, ensuring strong foundations are built from the start-up phase.
• Drive the deployment and sustainability of the TEOA business system, supporting the site's roadmap toward achieving TEOA Star Level maturity.
• Partner with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to embed a culture of operational excellence, continuous improvement, and accountability across the organization.
• Lead Lean initiatives, including Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and process improvement projects to enhance safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity performance.
• Identify and execute productivity and cost optimization opportunities to support efficient plant ramp-up, operational stability, and long-term growth.
• Develop Lean capabilities throughout the organization by providing coaching, training, and mentoring on Lean principles, problem-solving methodologies, and CI tools.
• Monitor key performance indicators and drive improvement projects to ensure achievement of site objectives and business targets.
• Act as the site's Lean and Continuous Improvement subject matter expert, providing strategic guidance and support to plant leadership.
• Collaborate with regional and global Lean teams to share best practices, leverage organizational knowledge, and support enterprise-wide improvement initiatives.

What your background should look like

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or continuous improvement.
• At least 3 years of experience in a Continuous Improvement Manager or similar leadership role.
• Proven experience leading Lean transformation and operational excellence initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and problem-solving methodologies.
• Strong passion for Continuous Improvement and driving operational excellence.
• Demonstrated leadership, project management, and change management capabilities.Excellent communication, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on, results-oriented approach.Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, start-up or high-growth environment.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is required.

Competencies

SET : Strategy, Execution, Talent (for managers)