Continuous Improvement Leader

Colgate-Palmolive; San José Iturbide; On-site; MXN 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive is seeking a Continuous Improvement Leader to drive structured systems that optimize plant performance and FP&R compliance. You will lead DMAIC-driven projects and champion Smart Factory initiatives across the site.

You will mentor teams in 5S, Kaizen, and Lean Six Sigma, develop measurable processes, and collaborate with maintenance and operations to secure productivity gains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Plastics, or Electromechanical Engineering.
• 2+ years of experience in plastics processes (injection, blow molding, PET, molds).
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and tools.
• Experience leading teams.
• Intermediate to advanced English (written and spoken).
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or Green Belt certification.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage structured systems that drive productivity and FP&R savings.
• Lead improvement projects using DMAIC and Lean tools to reduce downtime and material loss.
• Coordinate a 5-year Smart Factory roadmap and digital transformation initiatives.
• Audit and sustain 5S & Visual Workplace standards and visible KPIs on the shop floor.
• Support Safety and Quality standards within plant focus areas.
• Coach in root cause analysis and Lean Six Sigma tools.

Skills

Continuous improvement methodologies

Team leadership

English proficiency

Lean Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt

DMAIC/Kaizen/SMED

Data analytics tools (Compass)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Mechanical/Electromechanical Engineering

Tools

DMAIC

Kaizen

SMED

Lean Six Sigma

Compass

Job description

Established in 1806 as a small soap and candle business in New York City, Colgate-Palmolive is now a truly global company with products sold in over 200 countries and territories under such internationally recognised brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom's of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, Haci Sakir, Suavitel, PCA SKIN, EltaMD, Filorga and Hello as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet.

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading consumer products company that serves hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide with brands and products across four core businesses – Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. We are committed to offering products that make lives healthier and more enjoyable, and programmes that enrich communities around the world.

Every day millions of people trust our products to care for themselves and the ones they love. Our goal is to use our technology to create products that will continue to improve the quality of life for our consumers wherever they live.

A career at Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

Job Title: Continuous Improvement Leader

Travel Required?: Travel - up to 10% of time

Posting Start Date: 04/11/2026

On-site

No Relocation Assistance Offered Job Number#177159 - San Jose Iturbide, Guanajuato, Mexico

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specialising in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

Role Summary

As our Continuous Improvement Lead, you will be the strategic driver behind the implementation of structured systems that optimize plant performance, leading the adoption of Smart Factory technologies and ensuring compliance with Factory Performance & Reliability (FP&R) standards. You will have the unique opportunity to shape the continuous improvement culture and ensure our people, processes, and equipment work together seamlessly to achieve extraordinary results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Continuous Improvement Strategy: Design and manage structured systems that drive productivity, overseeing the site’s Project Hopper and prioritizing initiatives based on their impact on EHS, Quality, Productivity, and Funding the Growth (FTG) savings.
• Execute High-Impact Projects: Lead improvement projects utilizing the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology alongside advanced tools such as Kaizen, SMED, and Lean Six Sigma to reduce critical metrics, including Unplanned Downtime (UPDT) and Absolute Material Loss (AML).
• Drive Digital Transformation: Coordinate the 5-year Smart Factory roadmap, integrating data digitization to eliminate paper-based processes and leveraging descriptive and predictive analytics through tools such as Compass to enhance decision-making.
• Sustain FP&R Standards: Ensure compliance with and auditing of 5S & Visual Workplace standards, guaranteeing that dynamic operational KPIs are clearly visible and that abnormal conditions on the shop floor are quickly identified.
• Sustain Safety and Quality Standards: Ensure compliance and execution of Safety and Quality standards as assigned within the plant focus areas.
• Capability Building & Smart Maintenance: Collaborate in the transition toward Smart Maintenance by leveraging smart sensors and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for predictive maintenance.
• People Development: Train personnel in root cause analysis tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, Pareto) as well as advanced tools such as Kaizen, SMED, and Lean Six Sigma.
• Governance and Results Sustainability: Establish processes to track the long‑term sustainability of project outcomes, conducting frequent line productivity reviews and verifying data integrity across systems such as SFR/Opera.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Plastics, or Electromechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in plastics in injection, blow molding, pet and molds processes.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and tools.
• Experience leading teams.
• Intermediate to advanced English proficiency (written and spoken).
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or Green Belt certification.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

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