CI Lean Leader: Drive Manufacturing Excellence

Associated Materials Innovations; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AMI's Continuous Improvement Manager will drive operational excellence across the Cedar Rapids manufacturing network, applying Lean, Six Sigma, and standardized work to reduce waste, improve equipment performance, and boost safety and quality.

The role collaborates with Plant Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and HR to ensure processes are stable, repeatable, and continuously improved, translating Lean tools into practical frontline solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, industrial technology, manufacturing, or related field.
• 5–10 years of CI, Lean, or operations experience in manufacturing.
• Proven success leading plant-level Lean/CI initiatives with measurable results.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt; Black Belt strongly preferred.
• TPM, SMED, Kaizen facilitation training is a plus.
• Certifications in change management or project management are a plus.
• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing principles.
• Statistical analysis & root-cause problem solving.
• ERP and MES systems experience.
• Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools.
• Strong shop-floor leadership and communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead CI strategy and deployment across the manufacturing plant.
• Align CI initiatives with KPIs including OEE, scrap, throughput, and labor utilization.
• Serve as Lean/Operational Excellence champion and mentor belt projects.
• Partner with Plant Manager to prioritize high-impact CI projects.
• Conduct value stream mapping to identify bottlenecks and opportunities.
• Lead Kaizen events to reduce scrap, downtime, and changeover time.
• Improve equipment reliability with Maintenance/Engineering; support TPM programs.
• Train operators and supervisors in Lean tools; mentor Green/Yellow Belt project leaders.
• Integrate CI thinking into onboarding and supervisor development.
• Define, measure, and report CI results; maintain CI portfolio and scorecard.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Problem solving

Leadership presence

Data analysis

Excel

Power BI

Minitab

Communication

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

ERP systems

MES systems

Excel

Power BI

Minitab

Job description

AMI's Continuous Improvement Manager will drive operational excellence across the Cedar Rapids manufacturing network, applying Lean, Six Sigma, and standardized work to reduce waste, improve equipment performance, and boost safety and quality.

The role collaborates with Plant Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and HR to ensure processes are stable, repeatable, and continuously improved, translating Lean tools into practical frontline solutions.