Continuous Improvement Manager

With over 100 years’ accumulated experience, ZIEHL-ABEGG is the world leading fan and motor manufacturer. We are the proven leader in the fan and ventilation market, providing innovative and energy efficient solutions to our business partners and customers.

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading and scaling enterprise-wide operational excellence initiatives across manufacturing and business functions. This role drives the design, implementation, and sustainability of Lean methodologies, process optimization, and performance management systems to improve productivity, quality, cost efficiency, and delivery performance. Building on established Continuous Improvement practices, this role elevates the function from project-based execution to a structured, data-driven operating system embedded across all departments.

Continuous Improvement Manager

Your main responsibilities will be:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the Continuous Improvement (CI) roadmap aligned with business objectives and operational strategy.
• Lead the expansion and maturity of the company’s Lean system (e.g., ZAP – Ziehl-Abegg Process System) across all functions.
• Partner with senior leadership to identify enterprise improvement priorities and value capture opportunities.

Operational Excellence & Lean Deployment

• Champion Lean manufacturing principles including 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, and waste elimination across the organization.
• Establish standard work, visual management systems, and KPI frameworks to drive accountability and transparency.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives that impact production flow, lead time, and cost optimization.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, coach, and develop the Continuous Improvement team; expand capability across departments through training and mentorship.
• Build a CI culture by identifying and developing site-level champions and functional leaders.
• Facilitate workshops, kaizen events, and problem-solving sessions at all organizational levels.

Process Optimization & Analytics

• Drive data-driven decision-making through analysis of production metrics, labor performance, and capacity utilization.
• Oversee time studies, line balancing, and workforce planning to optimize efficiency and throughput.
• Lead value stream mapping and end-to-end process redesign to improve material and information flow.

Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead change management initiatives to ensure adoption and sustainability of new processes.
• Collaborate with department leaders, engineering, supply chain, and leadership teams on transformation initiatives.
• Present performance insights, project results, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

Continuous Improvement Governance

• Establish CI governance, project prioritization frameworks, and benefit tracking mechanisms.
• Standardize documentation, reporting, and benchmarking practices across sites.
• Ensure alignment with corporate operational excellence standards and global initiatives

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or process improvement roles, including leadership experience. (Manager-level expectation based on role progression)
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Master Black Belt or similar methodologies.
• Experience leading large-scale improvement initiatives across multiple departments or sites.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a data-driven mindset.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive changes in a matrixed organization.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and advanced Microsoft Office tools.

We offer:

• Tuition Reimbursement Program- We encourage team members to continue their education to support their current or future work.
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including Health, Dental and Vision options.
• Company-paid Life insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability insurance, and Parental leave.
• 401(k) retirement account with a generous company match
• Phenomenal work life balance offering twenty (20) days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per calendar year.
• Holidays totaling eleven days (11) per calendar year including a floating holiday of employee’s choice.
• Career advancement and training opportunities
• We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
• EEO compliant employer