Continuous Improvement Manager

Continuous Improvement Manager

Job Summary

The Continuous Improvement Manager is a self‑starting, data‑driven leader responsible for advancing PEM’s operational excellence through Lean Six Sigma methodologies. This role identifies, prioritizes, and executes improvement initiatives that enhance quality, efficiency, and customer value. The Manager proactively seeks opportunities for improvement, without waiting for direction, while coaching teams, standardizing processes, and ensuring new procedures are documented, controlled, and aligned with best‑in‑class practices. This role also develops and delivers Lean Six Sigma training across the company and helps embed Continuous Improvement methodologies into the organization’s culture.

Responsibilities and Duties

Continuous Improvement

·         Practice relentless follow-through

·         Serve as the primary leader and mentor for process engineering, setting priorities and projects that align with PEM’s strategic improvement roadmap.

·         Proactively identify waste, inefficiencies, and cost‑reduction opportunities using Lean Six Sigma tools (DMAIC, SPC, VSM, 5S, Kaizen, root‑cause analysis, etc.). Lead and coach approved improvement projects from conception through sustainment.

·         Lead key improvement projects directly while also coaching, advising, and supporting other project owners in applying Lean Six Sigma methodologies to achieve sustainable process excellence.

·         Partner with department leaders to formalize, maintain, revise, and improve business processes.

·         Identify processes lacking adequate control and implement effective control plans to ensure consistency and quality.

·         Lead product and process analysis using data‑driven methods; implement improvements to enhance quality, throughput, and reliability.

·         Develop and deploy standardized work, companywide standards, and process documentation.

·         Drive the creation, implementation, and continuous refinement of company and departmental KPIs and dashboards. Analyze trends, generate insights, and present data‑driven recommendations to management.

·         Review Quality Management System procedures and lead improvements to enhance compliance and performance.

·         Develop and deliver Lean Six Sigma training at all levels—including Executive overviews, introductory sessions, and Yellow Belt level programs.

·         Educate the organization on the need, use, and benefits of Lean Six Sigma and lead the rollout strategy to embed Continuous Improvement into the company culture.

·         Perform other duties as assigned.

Initiative Implementation

·         Help manage capital project implementation, including process development, training, documentation updates, and cross‑functional alignment.

·         Manage the rollout of new and optimized processes, ensuring successful adoption and performance.

·         Drive approved companywide improvement initiatives, ensuring timely and successful execution.

Other Roles

·         Support and mentor all departments and teammates on identifying improvement opportunities, applying Lean Six Sigma tools, and executing improvement.

·         Lead departmental and cross-functional Kaizen events across the company.

·         Support and progressively strengthen the Safety Committee by providing input, incident and trend analysis, and practical improvement recommendations aligned with safety standards.

·         Integrate safety considerations into continuous improvement initiatives, including process changes, kaizen events, and operational redesigns, ensuring safety is treated as a core element of operational excellence—not an afterthought.

·         Identify, evaluate, and help mitigate workplace safety risks through structured process evaluation, root cause analysis, and data-driven improvement actions across manufacturing, warehousing, and office environments.

Qualifications and Skills

·         Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred.

·         Shop Floor and Warehouse Management experience

·         High attention to detail and commitment to excellence.

·         3–5 years of leadership experience with measurable success in Continuous Improvement.

·         Formal Lean Six Sigma training required; Green Belt certification or higher strongly preferred.

·         CPIM certification preferred.

·         Proven results in continuous improvement projects through the use of Lean Six Sigma methodologies.

·         Strong experience building consensus, facilitating cross‑functional project teams, and influencing without authority.

·         Excellent communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and presentation skills.

·         Proven ability in process analysis, process improvement, and process development.

·         Experience aligning KPI’s across departments

·         Strong analytical ability with experience using data, metrics, and statistical tools to drive decisions.

·         Results‑oriented, proactive, able to maintain adherence to schedules, and able to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.

·         Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to continuous learning.

·         Microsoft PowerBI dashboard development experience preferred

·         Must work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others and comply with all safety rules and guidelines.

·         Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and quality management systems.

·         Consistently adhere to assigned work schedule, ensuring punctuality and reliability