The Continuous Improvement Manager (CIM) will lead strategic and hands-on initiatives that drive efficiency, cost reduction, and process optimization across Daniels Health’s U.S. operations, including plants and transfer stations.
Based remotely, this role travels to partner closely with regional and local operations leadership, as well as local and national Maintenance and Engineering teams, to identify and execute practical, sustainable improvements that enhance operational performance.
The CIM focuses on the practical application of Lean, continuous improvement, and industrial engineering principles, delivering measurable results in productivity, safety, quality, and cost efficiency while fostering a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and accountability.
What You'll Do:
- Apply Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and other structured problem-solving methodologies to eliminate waste, and drive measurable cost savings
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance across processing plants and transfer stations
- Teach, lead, and develop capabilities within cross-functional teams on loss elimination tools and methodology
- Influence and engage individuals at all organizational levels — from frontline team members to senior leaders — to participate in ideation, active problem-solving, prioritization, solution development, testing, and full-scale deployment.
- Coach and train site teams on Lean principles, structured problem-solving, and root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., PDCA, DMAIC, AMD, Loss Analysis, 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone)
- Develop internal CI champions and sustainment mechanisms to ensure long-term success of initiatives
- Support process design improvements, automation projects, and infrastructure optimization initiatives that reduce costs and increase throughput
- Partner with regional and site leadership to drive initiatives that lower operational expenses through improved process efficiency, waste minimization, and resource optimization
- Reinforce data-driven decision-making and evidence-based validation as standard practice for solution development and deployment
- Develop and standardize best practices that improve reliability, reduce variability, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
- Work with regional operations leadership to prioritize and execute improvement initiatives that align with regional and national objectives
- Collaborate with local and national Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve equipment performance, reduce downtime, and enhance asset utilization
- Travel approximately 50% of the time to different business units
Must-Have Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering OR equivalent experience with a strong background in quality and/or production within food & beverage or CPG environments
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in continuous improvement, process engineering, or operational excellence roles in manufacturing, logistics, or industrial environments
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
- Background in a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
- Proven experience applying structured problem-solving approaches such as PDCA, DMAIC, DFSS, or 8D within a manufacturing or distribution setting
- Demonstrated success in implementing structured loss elimination projects that delivered measurable cost savings
- Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to influence at all organizational levels
- Proven ability to lead change across multi-site or regional operations
- Comfortable with hands-on work in plant and transfer station environments
- Experience collaborating with engineering and maintenance teams on process optimization projects
Nice-To-Have Qualifications:
- Experience in healthcare, environmental services, food & beverage, or other regulated industries
- Familiarity with ERP systems and analytics tools (e.g., SAP, Power BI, Tableau)
Why Daniels:
- Industry Leader: Over 20 years of excellence in medical waste management with top-tier NPS and delivery-reliability scores
- 401K Matching: 50% employer match on up to 6% contribution (up to 3% employer contribution), with match starting Day 1, 5-year vesting schedule
- Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage effective Day 1; paid short-term disability; company-sponsored life insurance; and more
- Job Stability: As an essential healthcare service provider, we’re recession-proof and non-seasonal
- Empowering, visionary culture: We think differently, act boldly, and value authenticity, creativity, and trust. Our team thrives on innovation, agility, and purpose-driven work, where every unique talent contributes to meaningful impact in healthcare
Ready to Apply?
We’d love to hear from you! Click “Apply” to start your journey with Daniels Health. Our hiring process includes a brief video screen, Predictive Index Assessment, and two rounds of virtual interviews. We’re excited to meet candidates who are passionate about service and eager to grow.
Daniels Health & Sharpsmart is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Daniels Health & Sharpsmart prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Daniels Health & Sharpsmart conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations management, business administration, or equivalent experience
- Minimum 5 years in continuous improvement, process engineering, or operational excellence in manufacturing, logistics, or industrial environments
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
- Proven experience applying structured problem-solving (PDCA, DMAIC, DFSS, 8D) in manufacturing or distribution
- Demonstrated success implementing loss elimination projects with measurable cost savings
- Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills with ability to influence at all levels
- Proven ability to lead change across multi-site or regional operations
- Comfortable performing hands-on work in plant and transfer station environments
- Experience collaborating with engineering and maintenance teams on process optimization
- Willingness/ability to travel approximately 50% of the time
- Background in TPM or equivalent frameworks
- Experience in regulated industries (healthcare, environmental services, food & beverage)
- Familiarity with ERP and analytics tools (SAP, Power BI, Tableau)
Daniels Health Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Daniels Health and has not been reviewed or approved by Daniels Health.
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials indicate medical, dental, and vision coverage are available on day one. Early eligibility is cited as a contributor to overall compensation value in some roles.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO and sick time are advertised as starting on the first day. Predictable schedules in certain teams are highlighted as supporting the practical use of time off.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Sales and account roles highlight base pay plus uncapped commission and mileage reimbursement. These structures are portrayed as making total compensation competitive for those positions.
Daniels Health Insights
What We Do
MAKING HEALTHCARE SAFER The philosophy that guides Daniels - striving to make a safer environment for everyone involved in healthcare. Daniels has operations in Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Europe and South Africa and is widely regarded as a leader of innovation in the medical waste space. Daniels' flagship product - the Sharpsmart collector, was launched in 1999 and is now used in thousands of healthcare facilities around the globe. It has been peer reviewed in numerous medical journals with findings that indisputably assert it as the safest sharps collector in the world. Through education, innovation and service, we are committed to make the healthcare industry safer for the people who work in it and continually drive the development of ecologically sustainable solutions to reduce the environmental impact of medical waste.
