Continuous Improvement Engineer II

A. O. Smith Corporation; Ashland City (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement savings plan

Disability programs

Tuition assistance

Job summary

A. O. Smith Corporation is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer II in Ashland City, TN. The role drives the development and execution of Continuous Improvement initiatives to optimize operations and promote a culture of sustained improvement.

Responsibilities include leading Kaizen events, analyzing data to cut waste, and implementing KPIs to measure impact, while collaborating with IT and process teams to adopt innovative solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field required.
• 3+ years of related work experience or training.
• Change Management – builds commitment and overcomes resistance; prepares and supports those affected by change.
• Business Acumen – understands business implications of decisions.
• Cost Consciousness – works within approved budget; develops and implements cost saving measures; conserves organizational resources.
• Strategic Thinking – develops strategies to achieve organizational goals.
• Adaptability – changes approach or method to fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Innovation – generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement projects, using CI tools to optimize workflows and productivity.
• Monitor and analyze production data to identify inefficiencies and opportunities; implement solutions to reduce waste and costs.
• Develop and maintain process maps; support standards like job instructions with frontline teams.
• Facilitate problem-solving sessions, Kaizen events, RCA, and Lean methods to eliminate waste and improve processes.
• Design and implement measurement systems including KPIs to track improvements.
• Train and mentor team members on CI tools and methodologies; foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Root Cause Analysis

Kaizen Events

Data Analysis

Project Management

Continuous Improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Date: Sep 12, 2026

Location(s):

Ashland City, TN, US, 37015

Company: A. O. Smith Corporation

Business Unit: NAWH

Workplace Setting: Onsite

Primary Function

The Continuous Improvement Engineer II is responsible for driving the development and execution of Continuous Improvement initiatives (AO Smith Operating Systems) aimed at optimizing business operations, and the advancement of a culture of continuous improvement by supporting the adoption and consistent application of AOSos throughout the organization. This role is key in identifying opportunities to enhance processes, improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost reduction, all in alignment with organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement projects, utilizing basic and advanced CI tools to optimize workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and enhance productivity across production processes.
• Monitor, collect and analyze production and process data to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities. Recommend and implement solutions to reduce time, waste, and costs while improving efficiency.
• Develop and maintain process maps. Support front line teams in their development and deployment of standards including job instructions.
• Facilitate problem-solving sessions, Kaizen events, and workshops to address operational challenges, applying root cause analysis (RCA) and Lean methodologies to eliminate waste and enhance processes.
• Design and implement measurement systems, including KPIs, to track and evaluate the effectiveness of process improvements and sustainability.
• Train and mentor team members on continuous improvement tools and methodologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and empowering staff in executing and leading improvement activities.
• Monitor and manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables, collaborating with teams to resolve issues, ensure effective communication, and meet project objectives.
• Prepare and present detailed reports on project outcomes, recommendations, and progress to stakeholders and site leadership.
• Maintain comprehensive records of improvement activities, ensuring transparency and facilitating knowledge sharing across the organization.
• Collaborate with IT and systems teams to support appropriate technology solutions to adopt innovation in business processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field
• 3+ years of related work experience or training
• Change Management - Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals.
• Adaptability - Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Innovation - Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Excellent understanding of Lean Manufacturing processes and concepts

We Offer

• Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.

ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status.

We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.

Nearest Major Market: Nashville

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