Continuous Improvement Lead

nVent; Anoka (MN); On-site; USD 76,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Employee stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

nVent in Anoka, MN is seeking a Continuous Improvement Lead to advance Lean practices on the production floor. You will partner with operations, logistics, and materials teams to optimize material flow, inventory movement, and work methods through hands-on facilitation and coaching.

You will lead Kaizen events, map value streams, develop standard work, and train operators and supervisors to sustain improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2+ years of experience leading Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives in manufacturing, warehouse, logistics, distribution, or production.
• Practical application of Lean tools such as Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Standard Work, material and information flow, takt time analysis, and root cause problem solving.
• Experience with PFEP (Plan for Every Part), material flow design, inventory replenishment systems, Kanban, or internal logistics improvement initiatives preferred.
• Ability to quantify and communicate improvement results, including cost savings, productivity gains, or waste reduction.
• Proven ability to coach others, influence across functions, and work effectively with frontline teams and supervisors.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with proficiency in Microsoft products including Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.

Responsibilities

• Lead Kaizen events and drive Lean improvements from scoping through sustainment.
• Deliver measurable results like cost reduction, inventory accuracy, productivity gains, and throughput improvements.
• Observe gemba to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements with teams.
• Develop and reinforce standard work, visual management, and daily management practices.
• Coach operators, supervisors, and cross‑functional partners on Lean principles and tools.

Skills

Kaizen

5S

Value Stream Mapping

Standard Work

Takt Time

Root cause analysis

Lean coaching

Material flow

Inventory management

Excel

PowerPoint

Visio

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Visio

PFEP

Job description

We’re looking for people who put their innovation to work to advance our success - and their own. Join an organization that ensures a more secure world through connecting and protecting our customers with inventive electrical solutions. We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Lead to facilitate the advancement of Lean practices at our Anoka, MN manufacturing facility. You will partner with operations, logistics, and/or materials teams to improve material flow, inventory movement, and/or improve how work is completed on the production floor. In this role, you will drive measurable improvements through hands-on facilitation, coaching, and collaboration, helping teams find opportunities, solve problems, and sustain new ways of working.

WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE IN THIS POSITION:

• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events, partnering closely with operations and/or supply chain teams and applying Lean methodologies to identify waste, improve flow, and implement sustainable process improvements from initial scoping through implementation and sustainment.
• Drive improvement initiatives that deliver measurable results such as cost reduction, inventory accuracy improvements, productivity gains, cycle time reduction, and throughput improvements, while also communicating progress and impact to site leadership.
• Spend time at the gemba observing production, warehouse, receiving, inspection, and/or material flow processes, identifying inefficiencies and working hands-on with teams to develop and implement improvements.
• Develop and reinforce standard work, visual management, and daily management practices to sustain improvements and drive accountability in operations.
• Train, coach, and support operators, supervisors, and cross-functional partners on Lean principles and tools to build capability and ownership across the site.

YOU HAVE:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2+ years of experience leading Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing, warehouse, logistics, distribution, or production environment, with direct facilitation responsibility using Lean methodologies.
• Practical application of Lean tools such as Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Standard Work, material and information flow, takt time analysis, and root cause problem solving.
• Experience with PFEP (Plan for Every Part), material flow design, inventory replenishment systems, Kanban, or internal logistics improvement initiatives preferred.
• Ability to quantify and communicate improvement results, including cost savings, productivity gains, or waste reduction.
• Proven ability to coach others, influence across functions, and work effectively with frontline teams and supervisors.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with proficiency in Microsoft products including Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.

Pay Transparency nVent's pay scale is based on the expected range of base pay for this job and the employee’s work location. Employee pay within this range will be based on a combination of factors including knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, education, and performance. Where federal, state, or local minimum wage requirements exist, employee pay will comply. Compensation Range: $76,000.00 - $141,100.00 Depending on the position offered, employee may be eligible for other forms of compensation, such as annual or long‑term incentives.

WE HAVE:

• A dynamic global reach with diverse operations around the world that will stretch your abilities, provide plentiful career opportunities, and allow you to make an impact every day nVent is a leading global provider of electrical connection and protection solutions.
• We believe our inventive electrical solutions enable safer systems and ensure a more secure world.
• We design, manufacture, market, install and service high performance products and solutions that connect and protect some of the world's most sensitive equipment, buildings and critical processes.
• We offer a comprehensive range of systems protection and electrical connections solutions across industry-leading brands that are recognized globally for quality, reliability and innovation.
• Our principal office is in London and our management office in the United States is in Minneapolis.
• Our robust portfolio of leading electrical product brands dates back more than 100 years and includes nVent CADDY, ERICO, HOFFMAN, ILSCO, SCHROFF and TRACHTE.
• Learn more at www.nvent.com.
• Commitment to strengthen communities where our employees live and work We encourage and support the philanthropic activities of our employees worldwide Through our nVent in Action matching program, we provide funds to nonprofit and educational organizations where our employees volunteer or donate money
• Core values that shape our culture and drive us to deliver the best for our employees and our customers.
• We’re known for being: Innovative & adaptable Dedicated to absolute integrity Focused on the customer first Respectful and team oriented Optimistic and energizing Accountable for performance

Benefits to support the lives of our employees

Benefit Overview At nVent, we value our people and their health and well-being. We provide a broad benefits package with meaningful programs for eligible full-time employees that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans along with flexible spending accounts, short-term and long-term disability benefits, critical illness, accident insurance and life insurance.
• A 401(k) retirement plan and an employee stock purchase plan - both include a company match.
• Other supplemental benefits may include tuition reimbursement, caregiver, personal and parental leave, back-up care services, paid time off including volunteer time, a well‑being program, and/or legal & identity theft protection.

Inclusion and diversity means that we celebrate and encourage each other's authenticity because we understand that uniqueness sparks growth.

At nVent, we are committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national, federal, state or local law.