Continuous Improvement Manager - Industrial

Description

Ashley Sling, a division of American Equipment Holdings, is one of the leading rigging and below-the-hook service providers in the United States. Over the years, our ability to grow and set ourselves apart from the competition is the result of a tried and true philosophy – take care of our customers and take care of our people. 

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and hands-on Continuous Improvement Manager to lead operational excellence initiatives across both office and manufacturing environments. This role combines the analytical mindset of a Process Engineer with the leadership and change-management capabilities of a Continuous Improvement professional.

The ideal candidate is deeply experienced in Lean Manufacturing principles, including Kaizen, Gemba Walks, 5S, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, and Waste Elimination. They possess a natural curiosity for observing how work is performed, identifying inefficiencies, and collaborating with teams to design practical, sustainable improvements that increase productivity, quality, safety, and employee engagement.

This individual will spend significant time both on the production floor and within administrative functions, partnering with employees at all levels to improve processes, reduce waste, and create a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Continuous Improvement Leadership

• Lead and facilitate Lean transformation initiatives across manufacturing, operations, logistics, and office functions.
• Conduct regular Gemba Walks to observe processes firsthand, identify opportunities, and engage employees in problem-solving.
• Plan, facilitate, and sustain Kaizen events focused on improving productivity, quality, safety, and workflow efficiency.
• Develop and maintain Continuous Improvement roadmaps aligned with organizational objectives.
• Drive a culture where continuous improvement becomes part of everyday operations.

Process Analysis & Engineering

• Observe work activities and analyze workflows to identify bottlenecks, non-value-added activities, and waste.
• Design and implement process improvements that simplify operations and increase throughput.
• Develop process maps, value stream maps, work instructions, and standard operating procedures.
• Utilize industrial engineering and process engineering principles to improve labor utilization, equipment effectiveness, and workflow design.
• Apply time studies, motion studies, and workload analysis to optimize performance.

Lean Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

Lead implementation and sustainment of: 

• 5S
• Standard Work
• Visual Management
• Kanban Systems
• Value Stream Mapping
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• Root Cause Analysis
• A3 Problem Solving
• PDCA Methodology
• Waste Reduction Initiatives
• Establish metrics and reporting systems to monitor improvement initiatives and measure results.
• Support operational teams in achieving productivity, quality, cost, delivery, and safety objectives.

Employee Engagement & Coaching

• Coach supervisors, managers, and frontline employees in Lean methodologies and problem-solving techniques.
• Facilitate cross-functional improvement teams.
• Encourage employee-generated improvement ideas and support implementation efforts.
• Provide training on Lean tools, continuous improvement principles, and operational best practices.

Data & Performance Management

• Collect and analyze operational data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Develop KPIs and dashboards to track improvement activities.
• Present findings, recommendations, and project outcomes to leadership.
• Quantify financial and operational impacts of improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Operational Excellence, or related roles.
• Demonstrated experience leading Kaizen events and Lean transformation initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of: Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Gemba Walks, 5S, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, Six Sigma methodologies
• Experience working directly within manufacturing and production environments.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and leadership skills.

Preferred

• Lean Certification or Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt
• Experience with ERP and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Industrial Engineering or Process Engineering background.
• Experience supporting both production and administrative process improvements.

Core Competencies

• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Process Observation & Analysis
• Lean Manufacturing Expertise
• Change Management
• Problem Solving
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Employee Development & Coaching
• Project Management
• Strategic Thinking with Hands-On Execution

Success Measures

Within the first 12 months, the Continuous Improvement Manager will be expected to:

• Increase operational efficiency through measurable process improvements.
• Reduce waste and non-value-added activities.
• Improve labor productivity and process flow.
• Establish sustainable 5S and visual management systems.
• Conduct regular Gemba Walks and Kaizen events.
• Develop a culture where employees actively participate in continuous improvement efforts.
• Deliver measurable improvements in quality, throughput, safety, and cost performance.

Ideal Candidate Profile

This role is ideal for someone who genuinely enjoys being where the work happens. They are comfortable spending time on the production floor observing operators, asking questions, studying workflows, and working side-by-side with teams to develop better ways of operating. They combine the technical rigor of a Process Engineer with the leadership and culture-building skills of a Continuous Improvement Manager, balancing operational efficiency with practical solutions that employees can embrace and sustain.

This is a full-time remote position; 8-hour days, Monday through Friday, with frequent travel This role consists of approximately 60% travel and 40% work from the home base location. Flexibility with travel and potential relocation is strongly preferred and will be considered a plus. to our Ashley Sling and corporate locations. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  

American Equipment Holdings is an organization of leading overhead crane and hoist, industrial weighing, and below-the-hook service providers in the United States. Together, our companies provide comprehensive solutions for everything related to customers’ overhead crane and hoist, rigging, and weighing and measurement needs, including OSHA mandated inspections, preventative maintenance and repair field services, parts, engineering, ISO certified fabrication, new and replacement equipment, automated systems, system modernizations and training. American Equipment Holdings is one the largest and fastest growing companies in our space with more than 800 dedicated team members that serve thousands of customers throughout the United States.
 

Proof of right to lawfully work in the United States required.
 

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.