Continuous Improvement Lead

Viwinco Windows; Morgantown (PA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Viwinco Windows is seeking a Continuous Improvement Lead to drive on-floor process improvements, focusing on efficiency, productivity, quality, and safety.

You will guide hourly teams through Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, and Kaizen, lead daily improvement huddles and Kaizen events, perform root-cause analyses, develop SOPs, and collaborate with maintenance, production, and quality to sustain gains.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing/operational setting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to lead hourly teams and present to leadership.
• Experience with root cause analysis and solving operational challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects focused on reducing waste, increasing productivity, and improving quality in manufacturing or operational processes.
• Work directly with production floor employees to understand pain points, gather input, and develop practical solutions for process improvements.
• Provide training to employees on Lean principles, 5S, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement tools. Coach team members to encourage engagement and ownership of improvement initiatives.
• Lead daily improvement huddles, Kaizen events, and Gemba walks to identify opportunities and drive small, incremental changes on the production floor.
• Use problem-solving techniques, such as 5 Whys or Fishbone diagrams, to identify root causes of issues and work with teams to develop sustainable solutions.
• Ensure that improvements are successfully implemented and maintained, developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensuring best practices are followed.
• Ensure that all improvements are aligned with safety standards and quality requirements, and that team members are always working in compliance with company policies and industry regulations.
• Promote and develop a culture of continuous improvement among employees, ensuring they are actively engaged and empowered to contribute ideas and solutions.
• Work with other departments (e.g., maintenance, production, quality) to align improvement efforts and ensure successful implementation across teams.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership of hourly teams

Root cause analysis

Effective communication

Time management

Job description

Viwinco is searching for a Continuous Improvement Lead to lead and support process improvement initiatives on the production floor, focusing on enhancing efficiency, productivity, quality, and safety. This role will guide employees in implementing continuous improvement strategies using Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to optimize daily operations. The Continuous Improvement Lead will act as a key liaison between management and department team members, ensuring that improvement efforts are effectively communicated, implemented, and sustained.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and lead continuous improvement projects focused on reducing waste, increasing productivity, and improving quality in manufacturing or operational processes.
• Work directly with employees on the production floor to understand pain points, gather input, and develop practical solutions for process improvements.
• Provide training to employees on Lean principles, 5S, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement tools. Coach team members to encourage engagement and ownership of improvement initiatives.
• Lead daily improvement huddles, Kaizen events, and Gemba walks to identify opportunities and drive small, incremental changes on the production floor.
• Use problem-solving techniques, such as 5 Whys or Fishbone diagrams, to identify root causes of issues and work with teams to develop sustainable solutions.
• Ensure that improvements are successfully implemented and maintained, developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensuring best practices are followed.
• Ensure that all improvements are aligned with safety standards and quality requirements, and that team members are always working in compliance with company policies and industry regulations.
• Promote and develop a culture of continuous improvement among employees, ensuring they are actively engaged and empowered to contribute ideas and solutions.
• Work with other departments (e.g., maintenance, production, quality) to align improvement efforts and ensure successful implementation across teams.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Hands-on experience collaborating with employees in a manufacturing or operational setting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead and engage hourly teams, explain technical concepts in a clear and understandable way, and present results to leadership.
• Experience in root cause analysis and solving operational challenges in a collaborative, team-based environment.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams of hourly employees, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment in continuous improvement projects.
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.