Regional CI Manager

Ardagh Group; Bonn; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ardagh Group is seeking a Regional Continuous Improvement Manager (m/f/d) to deploy the AMPS program across the region. You will champion Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, drive productivity, and coordinate CI initiatives across multiple sites in Germany and beyond.

The role requires international collaboration, strong data analytics, and leadership to build regional CI capability and sustain improvements in operational and financial performance.

Qualifications

• University degree in engineering or related field.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Experience applying Lean and Six Sigma in project management.
• Proficiency in MS Office and data analysis.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing management systems.
• Fluent in German and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead AMPS strategy and implementation across the region.
• Align regional AMPS strategies with broader organizational goals.
• Provide oversight on AMPS initiatives for consistent deployment.
• Develop and standardize training and deployment materials.
• Perform AMPS audits and assessments to identify gaps.
• Facilitate Lean Kaizen events and on-site improvement activities.
• Mentor plant CI leaders and teams to build CI capability.
• Track performance metrics and connect AMPS efforts to financial outcomes.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Project management

Change management

Communication

Education

University Degree in Engineer

Six Sigma Black Belt

Tools

MS Office

Manufacturing Management Systems

CI tools

Job description

Regional Continuous Improvement Manager (m/f/d), Ardagh Metal Packaging Europe
in one of our Ardagh locations in either Bonn, Weißenthurm, Hassloch, Hermsdorf, or Oss (The Netherlands)
Role Description
The purpose of the Regional CI Manager role is to lead the deployment of the AMPS program across the region, driving measurable improvements in business performance and embedding best practices in operational excellence. This role is responsible for identifying and supporting performance improvement opportunities—such as ODM reduction, spoilage control, cost optimization, and productivity gains—through the practical application of AMPS tools and methodologies. The CI Regional Manager will facilitate Kaizen events and Lean activities aligned with global AMPS standards, while also conducting internal assessments and supporting sites in the development and execution of action plans to drive results. A key part of the role is to ensure consistent and practical application of AMPS tools and methodologies, acting as a regional expert and technical reference, promoting best practices, and supporting benchmarking efforts to identify and scale high-impact initiatives. Ultimately, the role aims to translate improvement activities into sustainable operational and financial outcomes, enhancing overall performance across the region.
Key Responsibilities

• AMPS Strategy & Implementation
• Partner with business and operations leaders to align regional AMPS strategies with broader or-ganizational goals.
• Provide oversight and guidance on AMPS initiatives across the region to ensure consistent de-ployment and impact.
• Support the development and standardization of training and deployment materials that enable successful AMPS implementation.
• Perform AMPS audits and assessments to evaluate maturity, identify gaps, and guide continuous improvement efforts.
• Operational Excellence
• Support plants in executing Lean initiatives, including the facilitation of Kaizen events and on-site improvement activities.
• Guide plants in identifying and delivering performance improvement opportunities—such as ODM reduction, spoilage control, cost optimization, and productivity gains—using structured methodol-ogies and data analytics.
• Assist in harmonizing CI practices and processes across the region to drive consistency and op-erational efficiency.
• Capability Building & Coaching
• Identify regional training needs related to AMPS and Continuous Improvement.
• Deliver CI training as needed, covering core Lean tools, Six Sigma principles, and AMPS meth-odologies.
• Support the creation of training programs and development of regional CI capability to ensure sustainability of CI practices.
• Mentor plant CI leaders and teams to build a strong continuous improvement mindset.
• Culture & Change Leadership
• Act as a change agent by promoting a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and Lean thinking throughout the region.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional CI and AMPS-driven initiatives, fostering collaboration and shared ownership.
• Support leadership in managing change, reinforcing AMPS principles, and embedding CI practic-es into daily operations.
• Collaboration & Influence
• Collaborate with Business Units, plant teams, and functional leaders to ensure alignment of AMPS deployment with operational needs.
• Support knowledge transfer and standardization of CI tools and practices across the region.
• Act as a moderator to foster engagement and alignment among cross-functional stakeholders on key CI initiatives.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting
• Track and report performance metrics tied to AMPS and CI initiatives, including cycle times, cost savings, and project impact.
• Connect AMPS efforts to financial and operational performance improvements.
• Support regional benchmarking by identifying, documenting, and sharing high-impact practices and success stories across sites.
• Contribute to the Ardagh Best Practices initiative, ensuring alignment and continuous learning across the organization.

Requirements

• University Degree in Engineer
• Certified in Six Sigma Black Belt
• Project Management applying both Lean and Six Sigma
• Proficient in MS Office tools
• Strong understanding of Manufacturing Management Systems
• Process and data driven mindset with strong, ability to understand the plant´s technologies & processes
• Proficient in data analysis and CI tools
• Strong knowledge and demonstrated application of Lean/Six Sigma methodologies
• Comfortable engaging with all levels of Management including Regional and Global leadership
• Ability to interact and network with all in- and external stakeholders, exceptional relation-building skills
• Clear and concise communicator able to build a compelling vision or direction
• Willingness to learn and teach new methodologies and tools
• Strong presentation, motivation and good listening skills
• Leader and team builder, effectively dealing with cross cultural business environment
• Good problem-solving, team-working and conflict management skills
• Able to deal with ambiguity and able to resolve problems in that environment
• Analtical thinking
• Flexible and resilient
• Change management
• Fluent in spoken and written German and English

What We Offer
You can expect a competitive compensation and benefit package in an international environment with challenging project work and a dynamic team. Additionally, you will be a part of our exciting and growing business.
About Ardagh Metal Packaging
Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) is a leading supplier of sustainable, infinitely recyclable metal beverage cans to brand owners globally. An operating business of sustainable packaging business Ardagh Group, AMP is a leading industry player across Europe and the Americas, with innovative production capabilities, 23 production facilities, more than 6,000 employees and recorded revenues of $4.8 billion in 2023.
AMP is 76%-owned by Ardagh Group and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker AMBP.
About Ardagh Group
Ardagh Group is a global supplier of infinitely recyclable metal and glass packaging solutions, producing packaging for brand owners around the world. We have grown to a team of approximately 20,000 people with revenues of more than $9 billion. Today we have a presence across the Americas, Europe and Africa.

• Ardagh produces many of the beverage cans and bottles that contain your favourite beverages.
• Our packaging is manufactured from metal and glass - permanent materials that can be infinitely recycled without any loss of quality.
• Ardagh produces more than 60 billion containers per year (more than 160 million containers per day).

The future we’re creating for Ardagh is built around our four Core Values of Inclusion, Trust, Teamwork and Excellence. We offer exciting and rewarding opportunities for talented and creative people. If you have ambition and want to make an impact with your career, come and join our team - you’ll enjoy the journey!