Continuous Improvement Leader

MW Components, Inc.; Addison (IL); Remote; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

MW Components, Inc. is seeking a Continuous Improvement Leader to drive operational excellence across multiple manufacturing sites in the United States. You will lead Lean initiatives, coach leaders, and partner with site leadership to identify opportunities, reduce waste, and improve productivity.

This travel-intensive role requires strong facilitation, analytics, and change-management skills; you will deploy 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, and Kaizen to deliver measurable gains.

Qualifications

• Degree required in engineering, business, or related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing, operations, Lean, or continuous improvement experience.
• Experience leading Lean transformation or operational excellence initiatives.
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events and process improvement projects.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, labor productivity, quality systems, and metrics.
• Ability to travel extensively to support multiple locations.
• Experience in multi-site manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting automation and KPI scorecards.
• Prior leadership or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Partner with GMs and site leaders to evaluate performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead Lean initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and engagement.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and value stream mapping exercises.
• Work with Automation Engineer to identify automation opportunities to boost productivity.
• Develop and execute site-specific improvement roadmaps.
• Drive standardization of best practices and processes across facilities.
• Analyze data and KPIs to identify trends and bottlenecks.
• Coach plant leadership on Lean principles and problem solving.
• Implement Lean systems including 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Kaizen.
• Establish measurable targets and track project results.
• Lead cross-functional teams to sustain gains and ensure accountability.
• Share progress with senior leadership.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Leadership

Analytical

Coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft Office

Data analysis tools

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $150,000 USD to $210,000 USD The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.
• Travel Required : Yes

Description

The Continuous Improvement Leader is responsible for driving operational excellence initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities through the deployment of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and performance management methodologies. This role partners closely with the Automation Engineer, General Managers, and site leadership teams to identify improvement opportunities, reduce waste, increase productivity, improve quality, and enhance overall operational performance. The Continuous Improvement Leader serves as a change agent, coaching leaders and employees in Lean principles while creating sustainable systems and processes that deliver measurable business results. This is a highly collaborative, travel-intensive role requiring strong facilitation, analytical, and leadership skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with General Managers and site leadership teams to evaluate operational performance and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping exercises, process improvement workshops, and problem-solving activities.
• Work alongside the Automation Engineer to identify opportunities where process improvements and automation solutions can improve productivity and reduce labor content.
• Support the development and execution of site-specific operational improvement roadmaps.
• Drive standardization of best practices, work methods, and operational processes across facilities.
• Analyze operational data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
• Coach and mentor plant leadership teams on Lean principles, problem-solving methodologies, and continuous improvement tools.
• Implement and sustain Lean systems including, 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Kaizen, etc.
• Establish measurable improvement targets and track project results.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute improvement projects and ensure sustainability of gains achieved.
• Promote a culture of accountability, employee engagement, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Support integration and replication of successful improvements across multiple locations.
• Ensure all improvement initiatives align with safety, quality, and operational objectives.
• Prepare and present progress updates, project results, and performance metrics to senior leadership.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field) or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of manufacturing, operations, Lean, or continuous improvement experience.
• Demonstrated success leading Lean transformation or operational excellence initiatives.
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events and process improvement projects.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, labor productivity, quality systems, and operational metrics.
• Ability to travel extensively to support multiple manufacturing locations.
• Experience in multi-site manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting automation
• Experience implementing operational management systems and KPI scorecards.
• Prior leadership or management experience.

Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities.

Proven ability to lead organizational change and influence without direct authority.

Ability to coach leaders and frontline teams through process and cultural transformation.

Experience developing and implementing sustainable operating systems.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Power BI, and data analysis tools.

Travel Required

Yes . Remote position, but extensive travel to sites across the United States

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.