Wenger Corporation is a privately held, leading manufacturer of high-quality music education, performing arts and athletic products. As an innovator, Wenger Corporation knows that great ideas can come from the fresh perspective of a new employee. So we embrace the unique skills and expertise you bring to the table. We skip the micro-management and bureaucracy found in many organizations, and we create an environment of trust and autonomy that gives you the freedom to make decisions, use your talents and make your mark. A company that lets you do what you do best and gives you the freedom to get even better. That is Wenger Corporation.
Our team in Owatonna, MN is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead Lean Office and Business Process Optimization across Wenger Corporation. This position owns and drives the enterprise operating cadence through the Work Excellence methodology, establishing the routines and measures needed to translate priorities into sustained results. This position will partner with Operations to apply and sustain Corporate CI methodology standards and ensure a unified, enterprise-wide improvement system building internal capability so process improvements are owned, documented, and sustained by the business—and felt by the customer through faster, more accurate, and more consistent experiences.
At a minimum you'll need:
- Bachelor of Science or equivalent work experience
- Five to seven (5-7) years relevant leadership experience
- Three (3) years of successful implementation / execution in continuous improvement systems and tools to achieve results
- Willingness to travel up to 25% to other facilities and job sites
- Demonstrated leadership in a direct line function successfully achieving performance with CI tools
- Proven strong project and program management experience
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills including developing and leading adult training sessions
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of products
It'd be great if you also have:
- Certifications in Lean Leadership and associated tools (A3, Kaizen, VSM, TPM, six sigma, etc.)
- Experience with analysis and identification of improvement areas and approaches through lean methods, statistical analysis, or Six Sigma techniques
- Change management experience leading and planning the various stages of transformational and transitional change
As the Continuous Improvement Manager a typical day might include:
- Owning and facilitating the enterprise operating cadence through the Work Excellence methodology, establishing standard review routines and connecting business priorities, performance measures, and action plans across functions.
- Leading Lean Office and cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives in partnership with functional leaders, aligning efforts to Corporate CI goals, business outcomes, and the customer experience.
- Analyzing and improving workflows using process mapping, SIPOC, value stream mapping, standard work, error-proofing, root cause analysis, A3 thinking, kaizen events, and rapid improvement workshops.
- Serving as the Corporate CI representative within Operations improvement initiatives, aligning work to enterprise standards and translating applicable methods and lessons learned between manufacturing and office environments.
- Maintaining the Corporate CI toolkit, enterprise playbook, and knowledge base, ensuring process maps, project charters, A3 forms, Work Excellence worksheets, standard work, and other methodology outputs are documented and accessible.
- Establishing project baselines, measure before-and-after performance, and monitor sustained results at 30-, 60-, and 90-day intervals to confirm gains and identify areas requiring additional support.
- Building organizational capability by delivering CI and Lean Office training, coaching cross-functional team members on practical application, and facilitating onboarding on Corporate CI standards and tools.
Benefit offerings include:
- Paid Time Off
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Generous Profit Sharing
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Spending Accounts HSA, FSA, DCFSA
- Company Paid Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance
- 401k Retirement Plan with Company Match
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent work experience
- Five to seven years of relevant leadership experience
- Three years of successful implementation or execution of continuous improvement systems and tools
- Willingness to travel up to 25% to other facilities and job sites
- Demonstrated leadership in a direct line function achieving performance with continuous improvement tools
- Strong project and program management experience
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience developing and leading adult training sessions
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Certifications in Lean Leadership and related tools such as A3, Kaizen, VSM, TPM, or Six Sigma
- Experience identifying improvement areas and approaches through Lean methods, statistical analysis, or Six Sigma techniques
- Change management experience leading transformational and transitional change
What We Do
Wenger Corporation designs, manufactures and supplies equipment and solutions for music education, performing arts and athletic programs worldwide. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Owatonna, MN, Wenger offers acoustical shells, staging, risers, seating, sound-isolating practice rooms, storage and related furniture through brands including Wenger, J.R. Clancy, GearBoss, Creative Conners and Lutefish.
