CI Specialist

Metrie; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

RRSP and DPSP programs

Job summary

Metrie in Toronto is seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead practical, data‑driven improvements across manufacturing and quality control, strengthening the plant's Operational Excellence Program.

You will partner with Production, Quality and Finance to deliver savings, reduce variation, and boost safety, quality and productivity while coaching teams on Lean tools and standard work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5–7 years of experience in manufacturing, continuous improvement, operational excellence, process engineering, or business transformation.
• Strong working knowledge of Lean tools, including Kaizen, 5S, standard work, visual management, VSM, TPM, SMED, PDCA, root cause analysis, and DMAIC.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred; Black Belt, Green Belt, or equivalent practical experience is an asset.
• Proven ability to lead Kaizen events and improvement projects that deliver measurable operational or financial results.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using manufacturing KPIs such as OEE, downtime, throughput, quality, falldown, inventory, cost, and delivery performance.
• Experience with manufacturing quality control processes, inspection routines, defect management, corrective actions, quality data analysis, and process control methods that reduce defects and strengthen process capability.
• Effective coach and facilitator with strong change management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Experience managing portfolios with multiple projects, tasks, and competing priorities while maintaining focus on organizational goals and measurable results.
• Hands‑on, shop‑floor oriented, and able to understand processes deeply before implementing solutions.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills; Power BI, SharePoint, Power Apps, ERP, CMMS, or manufacturing systems experience is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead CI and Lean initiatives that improve Toronto plant priorities, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, OEE, falldown/scrap/rework, throughput, inventory, and labour efficiency.
• Turn plant priorities and Lean assessment findings into a focused CI roadmap with clear owners, timelines, benefits, and sustainment plans.
• Own, coordinate, and sustain the plant Operational Excellence Program, including governance, routines, assessments, action tracking, and progress reporting.
• Analyze Toronto KPI trends, downtime, defects, falldown/scrap/rework, labour productivity, changeover losses, and process variation to identify root causes and prioritize improvement work.
• Manage and improve Toronto quality control processes by strengthening inspection standards, defect capture, quality data accuracy, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and process controls to reduce variation and improve product quality.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, rapid improvement activities, and structured problem‑solving using Lean and Six Sigma tools.
• Strengthen daily management, tier boards, KPI visibility, escalation routines, action tracking, quality review cadence, and cross‑shift communication.
• Maintain a visible CI project pipeline with clear business cases, validated hard and soft savings, Finance alignment, action plans, progress reporting, and benefit sustainment.
• Link CI priorities to Toronto margin improvement opportunities, cost absorption performance, labour productivity, waste reduction, and measurable plant financial impact.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Finance, Planning, Safety, and People & Culture to align improvements with business goals.
• Coach supervisors, lead hands, operators, and support teams on Lean thinking, standard work, 5S, TPM, and practical problem‑solving.
• Improve standards, work instructions, visual controls, training aids, and best‑practice documentation to reduce variation across shifts.
• Share learnings and best practices across plants as required; travel up to 10%.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

5S

Standard Work

PDCA

Root Cause Analysis

Change Management

Data Analysis

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Operations Management or related field

Tools

Power BI

SharePoint

Power Apps

ERP

CMMS

Manufacturing systems

Job description

Who We Are

North America’s largest manufacturer and distributor of interior millwork producing and selling interior finishings. We have been steadily growing our footprint and industry leadership for nearly 100 years. Established in 1926, still owned by the founding family, we continue to have the same focus on product excellence and a superior customer experience. We help people transform houses into homes. You’ve probably seen our products in the media featured on tv shows and magazines such as HGTV, Style At Home and House & Home, or by one of our Instagram influencers.

Who We Are

North America’s largest manufacturer and distributor of interior millwork producing and selling interior finishings. We have been steadily growing our footprint and industry leadership for nearly 100 years. Established in 1926, still owned by the founding family, we continue to have the same focus on product excellence and a superior customer experience. We help people transform houses into homes. You’ve probably seen our products in the media featured on tv shows and magazines such as HGTV, Style At Home and House & Home, or by one of our Instagram influencers.

Why should you work for Metrie? With us, you’re more than just a number. We work hard to create a home for our Metrie family where you are empowered to be your best every day. Your contributions matter to us! We take pride in our culture of learning, ownership, and one team, and are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

What You Will Do

The Continuous Improvement Specialist will support the Toronto plant by leading practical, data‑driven improvements across manufacturing and quality control processes while coordinating and sustaining the plant Operational Excellence Program. This hands‑on role will strengthen Lean capability, improve inspection and defect management practices, reduce process variation, and improve key plant KPIs tied to safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and financial performance.

The role reports to the Business Improvement Manager and partners closely with the Toronto Production Manager, site leadership team, Quality, Finance, and support functions to deliver measurable improvements aligned with plant priorities, margin improvement, cost absorption, labour productivity, waste reduction, and validated CI savings.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead CI and Lean initiatives that improve Toronto plant priorities, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, OEE, falldown/scrap/rework, throughput, inventory, and labour efficiency.
• Turn plant priorities and Lean assessment findings into a focused CI roadmap with clear owners, timelines, benefits, and sustainment plans. Own, coordinate, and sustain the plant Operational Excellence Program, including governance, routines, assessments, action tracking, and progress reporting.
• Analyze Toronto KPI trends, downtime, defects, falldown/scrap/rework, labour productivity, changeover losses, and process variation to identify root causes and prioritize improvement work.
• Manage and improve Toronto quality control processes by strengthening inspection standards, defect capture, quality data accuracy, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and process controls to reduce variation and improve product quality.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, rapid improvement activities, and structured problem‑solving using Lean and Six Sigma tools.
• Strengthen daily management, tier boards, KPI visibility, escalation routines, action tracking, quality review cadence, and cross‑shift communication.
• Maintain a visible CI project pipeline with clear business cases, validated hard and soft savings, Finance alignment, action plans, progress reporting, and benefit sustainment.
• Link CI priorities to Toronto margin improvement opportunities, cost absorption performance, labour productivity, waste reduction, and measurable plant financial impact.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Finance, Planning, Safety, and People & Culture to align improvements with business goals.
• Coach supervisors, lead hands, operators, and support teams on Lean thinking, standard work, 5S, TPM, and practical problem‑solving.
• Improve standards, work instructions, visual controls, training aids, and best‑practice documentation to reduce variation across shifts.
• Share learnings and best practices across plants as required; travel up to 10%.

Professional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field preferred; equivalent manufacturing CI experience will be considered.
• 5–7 years of experience in manufacturing, continuous improvement, operational excellence, process engineering, or business transformation.
• Strong working knowledge of Lean tools, including Kaizen, 5S, standard work, visual management, VSM, TPM, SMED, PDCA, root cause analysis, and DMAIC.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred; Black Belt, Green Belt, or equivalent practical experience is an asset.
• Proven ability to lead Kaizen events and improvement projects that deliver measurable operational or financial results.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using manufacturing KPIs such as OEE, downtime, throughput, quality, falldown, inventory, cost, and delivery performance.
• Experience with manufacturing quality control processes, inspection routines, defect management, corrective actions, quality data analysis, and process control methods that reduce defects and strengthen process capability.
• Effective coach and facilitator with strong change management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Experience managing portfolios with multiple projects, tasks, and competing priorities while maintaining focus on organizational goals and measurable results.
• Hands‑on, shop‑floor oriented, and able to understand processes deeply before implementing solutions.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills; Power BI, SharePoint, Power Apps, ERP, CMMS, or manufacturing systems experience is an asset.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on, shop‑floor oriented CI leader who combines data analysis with strong people engagement. They can lead and sustain the plant Operational Excellence Program, ask good questions, understand processes before acting, coach teams effectively, and follow through to sustain results.

What you’ll enjoy

• Competitive pay range
• Working for a well‑established leader in the industry
• Benefits: health, dental and vision
• RRSP and DPSP programs

In adherence to the principle of pay transparency, we are pleased to disclose the base pay for this full‑time position at Metrie. The base pay range for this role is set at 110,000−115,000. It is important to note that this position may also qualify for discretionary bonuses or commission payments. The specific base pay within the range will be contingent upon an individual's skills, qualifications, experience, and geographical location. Furthermore, it is essential to highlight that our remuneration ranges are established based on the role, level, and location.

Metrie embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and customers belong. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome all qualified applicants. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process, please contact our Human Resources team.

Metrie conducts pre‑employment screening including but not limited to background checks and drug testing for all final candidates. All applications will be independently reviewed. We are an E-Verify employer.