SUMMARY
Continuous Improvement Manager - Lead the Lean initiative and help sustain a Lean transformation by administering continuous improvement activities and providing hands-on technical support. Serve as a facilitator of Kaizen activities and other tools that will drive Lean methodology throughout the organization. Drive cultural change that supports the technical implementation of Lean. Trains suppliers in Lean manufacturing techniques and leads factory Kaizen events to eliminate waste from the supplier's manufacturing processes, resulting in lower product costs for AutoZone. Assesses current and potential suppliers, through intense review of their manufacturing and quality systems, with the goal of improving and enhancing the AutoZone supply base. Improves product quality and reduces warranty costs by identifying warranty drivers, performing teardown analyses to determine root causes of failures, and working with suppliers to identify and implement corrective actions that address root causes of failures. Acts as manufacturing and quality consultant for Merchandising department and assists in competitive benchmarking activities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Trains suppliers in Lean manufacturing techniques and leads factory Kaizen events to eliminate waste from the supplier's manufacturing processes, resulting in lower product costs for AutoZone.
- Participate in and/or lead improvement activities with customers, vendors, and suppliers.
- Assist with corporate-wide, best practices, and standards and assist management to determine financial impact of improvement activities.
- Handles day to day issues, such as product recalls and store testing issues. Supports line review process by reporting on quality and cost improvment activities.
- Assesses current and potential suppliers, through on-site audits of their manufacturing and quality systems, with the goal of improving the AutoZone supply base.
- Create, formalize, document, and administer continuous improvement activities that will drive Lean methodology throughout the organization.
- Develops value stream maps, establish goals and objectives, and establishes processes and procedures.
- Coordinate with outside consultants on Lean initiatives and projects, when needed.
REQUIREMENTS
- Level of Formal Education: A Master's degree (MA, MS, MBA) or equivalent.
- Area of Study: Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Quality Engineering
- Years of Experience: More than seven years.
- Type of Experience: Automotive component manufacturing
- Special Certifications or Technical Skills: Strong Lean manufacturing implementation exeperience and proven ability to lead Kaizen improvement activities, with emphasis on the following techniques: value stream mapping, cellular manufacturing, 5S, TQM, QS9/ISO9 assessment experience, training in APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning), Knowledge of Six Sigma methodology, Product launch experience, Kaizen blitz experience, Project management experience, strong written and oral communication skills, strong computer skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project, and Visio.
- Other/Preferred: CQE (Certified Quality Engineer), CME (Certified Manufacturing Engineer), PE (professional engineer), Six Sigma Black Belt
- Competitive pay
- Unrivaled company culture
- Medical, dental and vision plans
- Exclusive discounts and perks, including an AutoZone in-store discount
- 401(k) with company match and Stock Purchase Plan
- AutoZoners Living Well Program for free mental health support
- Opportunities for career growth
- Paid time off
- Life, and short- and long-term disability insurance options
- Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts with wellness rewards
- Tuition reimbursement
Skills Required
- Master's degree (MA, MS, MBA) or equivalent
- Degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Quality Engineering
- More than seven years of experience
- Automotive component manufacturing experience
- Lean manufacturing implementation experience and ability to lead Kaizen events
- Value stream mapping
- Cellular manufacturing
- 5S
- TQM
- QS9/ISO9 assessment experience
- Training in APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning)
- Knowledge of Six Sigma methodology
- Product launch experience
- Kaizen blitz experience
- Project management experience
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Strong computer skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project, and Visio
- CQE (Certified Quality Engineer)
- CME (Certified Manufacturing Engineer)
- PE (Professional Engineer)
- Six Sigma Black Belt
AutoZone Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AutoZone and has not been reviewed or approved by AutoZone.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) savings plan is offered, with employer matching contributions made per pay period noted in company materials. This creates a structured long‑term savings path for eligible employees.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An employee stock purchase plan enables buying company stock at a discounted price. This provides an additional wealth‑building avenue beyond base wages.
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Healthcare Strength — Core medical, dental, vision, prescription, life, disability, and EAP coverage are available as part of standard packages. These offerings establish a comprehensive baseline of health and protection benefits for eligible employees.
AutoZone Insights
What We Do
AutoZone is the nation's leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories with more than 7,000 stores in the US, Mexico, Brazil and Puerto Rico. Each store carries an extensive line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured hard parts, maintenance items and accessories. AutoZone, headquartered in Memphis, TN, is a growing Fortune 300 company with a deep commitment to serving our customers, communities and fellow AutoZoners. We have vast opportunities in our stores, distribution centers, field offices, specialty business units and Store Support Center and embrace diverse experiences, backgrounds, knowledge and ideas to strengthen our teams and business. Our team is connected by a deep commitment to our Pledge and Values, principles established more than thirty years ago that reinforce our priorities and team culture. In addition, we constantly innovate and aspire to best serve our customers, creating new and better tools, training and outreach to serve both DIY and the professional installer customers. From in-store tools to E-Commerce, training and development to recognition, our team has the tools to help you grow your career at AutoZone. See where your drive can take you!
