Director of Continuous Improvement

R2 Global; Montreal; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established, fast-growing global organization is on the lookout for a Senior Director of Continuous Improvement to spearhead transformative operational initiatives. This leadership role will focus on reengineering business processes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will possess a strong engineering background and extensive experience in driving efficiency through data-driven strategies. Join a dynamic team committed to operational excellence and be part of a journey that impacts the organization's success on a global scale.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Development opportunities

Dynamic work environment

Global trajectory

Collaborative leadership team

Qualifications

• 10+ years in continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Strong background in matrix leadership and team development.
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute a strategy for optimizing people, processes, and technology.
• Champion continuous improvement methodologies across departments.
• Align initiatives with internal and external stakeholder needs.

Skills

Lean methodologies

Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt)

Agile project methodologies

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Advanced degree in Engineering

Tools

Smartsheet

Job description

An established, fast-growing global organization is seeking a Senior Director of Continuous Improvement to lead transformative operational initiatives across all business units. The ideal candidate will bring a strong engineering background, proven supervisory experience, and a passion for driving efficiency, collaboration, and sustainable performance through data-driven strategies and industry best practices.

Role Overview

This leadership position is responsible for reengineering business processes and implementing tools that foster a high-performing, cross-functional, customer-centric culture. The role will work closely with various departmental leaders, guiding project execution with a dotted-line supervisory relationship to multiple project managers.

The primary mandate is to optimize end-to-end business operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and embed a culture of continuous improvement aligned with the organization’s strategic direction.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Design and execute a company-wide strategy focused on the optimization of people, processes, and technology.
• Champion continuous improvement methodologies including Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile frameworks.
• Standardize and scale processes across departments to improve performance and efficiency.

Supervisory Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provide matrixed leadership to project managers and departmental leads.
• Cultivate a culture of accountability, innovation, and results-driven execution.
• Break down organizational silos by promoting cross-department collaboration and customer-focused solutions.
• Coach and mentor staff to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and best practices.

Project Execution & Customer-Centric Delivery

• Align continuous improvement initiatives with the needs of both internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish KPIs and performance metrics to evaluate process improvements.
• Conduct root cause analyses to identify and resolve operational bottlenecks.
• Lead implementation of automation tools and digital technologies to streamline operations.

Change Management & Internal Communication

• Develop structured change management strategies to support adoption of new processes and systems.
• Communicate project updates, roadblocks, and successes to senior leadership.
• Facilitate training sessions and workshops to build internal capabilities in continuous improvement methodologies.

Qualifications & Experience

Supervisory Scope

• Functional oversight of four direct or matrixed reports.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, or Process preferred); advanced degree is an asset.

Preferred Experience

• 10+ years in continuous improvement, operational excellence, or business process reengineering.
• Strong background in matrix leadership and team development.
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP) is highly desirable.

Key Skills

• Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), and Agile project methodologies.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional improvement initiatives and digital transformation.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Advanced communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency with project management platforms (e.g., Smartsheet) is a plus.

Other Requirements

• Travel may be required (approximately 5–10%).

Why Apply?

• Join a dynamic and growth-oriented organization on a global trajectory.
• Lead transformative efforts that directly impact operational success.
• Collaborate with a forward-thinking leadership team committed to excellence.
• Competitive compensation and development opportunities in a fast-evolving industry.