Continuous Improvement Engineer

Messina Talent Advisors; Lansing (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Messina Talent Advisors is seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist for a leading automotive coatings manufacturer. You will lead sustainable initiatives delivering measurable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) and collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities and implement effective solutions.

You will drive 5S, lead Kaizen events, apply Lean and Six Sigma, analyze data to identify trends, develop KPIs, and sustain results through documentation,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field, or equivalent working experience.
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience.
• Working knowledge of IATF16949 and/or ISO 9001 standards.
• Proven project management and leadership skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization's 5S initiative, promoting workplace organization, standardization, safety, and operational discipline.
• Lead cross-functional projects to analyze, design, and optimize sequences of operations, workflows, and business processes.
• Develop and implement plans and programs to improve operating methods, processes, and overall business performance.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Apply statistical data analysis techniques to evaluate operational and quality performance and identify cost improvement opportunities.
• Develop, monitor, and maintain KPIs aligned with goals and support corrective actions.

Skills

Continuous improvement

Project management

Leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Tools

SAP

ISO 9001 / IATF16949 knowledge

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist for a leading automotive coatings manufacturer.

This role will lead and drive sustainable continuous improvement initiatives, delivering measurable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC). The Continuous Improvement Specialist will partner closely with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, implement effective solutions, and sustain results, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the organization's 5S initiative, promoting workplace organization, standardization, safety, and operational discipline.
• Lead cross-functional projects to analyze, design, and optimize sequences of operations, workflows, and business processes, including operational studies focused on cost control, cost reduction, inventory management, and productivity.
• Develop and implement plans and programs to improve operating methods, processes, and overall business performance, partnering with cross-functional teams to identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions that enhance quality, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to identify root causes, solve complex problems, eliminate waste, and build sustainable capabilities.
• Apply statistical data analysis techniques to evaluate operational and quality performance, identify trends, assess process variation, determine root causes, and recommend opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, and cost effectiveness.
• Develop, monitor, and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with organizational and operational goals, preparing and distributing monthly KPI reports and collaborating with stakeholders to support corrective actions.
• Monitor, trend, and improve key areas of the quality management system, including change control, customer feedback and complaints, investigations, deviations, and on-time delivery.
• Identify and share best practices from affiliated companies, industry standards, and other relevant sources to strengthen continuous improvement practices.
• Document and measure before-and-after conditions for continuous improvement projects to demonstrate measurable impact and sustainability, maintaining accurate tracking logs, metrics, and status reports.
• Present project findings, statistical analysis, KPI results, and improvement recommendations to management and cross-functional teams to support informed decision-making.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field, or equivalent working experience.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of IATF16949 and/or ISO 9001 standards.
• Proven success in project management, with the ability to implement business process improvements affecting multiple departments.
• Successful leadership track record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Training and certification in process improvement techniques, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma.
• SAP experience.

Benefits

Designed to fit the ever-changing needs of their employees, our client is proud to offer one of the most comprehensive benefits packages in the industry.

• Employee and Dependent Life Insurance
• Health Care and Dependent Day Care
• Flexible Spending Account
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement and Savings Plans (401K with matching)
• Employ Assistance Program (EAP) STD, LTD and AD&D Insurance

Work/Life Support

Our Client provides a wide variety of programs to help employees grow both at work and at home.

• Employee Discount Program
• Employee Assistance Program

Educational Support

Our client encourages all its employees (and their families) to continue to learn and grow so they can reach their fullest potential. and provides tuition assistance.

Commitment To Their Employees

Our client commits themselves to inclusive diversity that helps guide them in how they do business. They value the unique backgrounds, skills and experiences of their employees. They understand that having a diverse work environment and a committed workforce is critical to local, regional and global success.