Continuous Improvement/LEAN Leader

Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Neenah (WI); On-site; USD 128,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Target bonus

401(k) and Profit Sharing plan

Job summary

Kimberly-Clark is seeking a Continuous Improvement/LEAN Leader to drive operational transformation across NA Manufacturing sites. The role focuses on Six Sigma problem solving and LEAN tools to close gaps, develop improvement plans, and execute solutions that boost MFG performance, capability, and culture.

You will mentor teams and help deploy Power Up standards across North America. The position requires 10+ years in manufacturing with CI/Lean, Black Belt certification, and strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in manufacturing, CI, Lean, and reliability with exposure to multiple mills.
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma, OPEX, and enterprise operating systems.
• Strong change management, mentoring and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean Six Sigma projects at NA MFG sites delivering significant value.
• Develop and deploy Enterprise standards within Power Up pillars.
• Mentor Lean Six Sigma candidates and build capability across NA and global sites.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, QA, finance, and digital teams.
• Drive KPIs, standard work, and best practices across facilities.

Skills

Six Sigma

LEAN manufacturing

Leadership

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Continuous Improvement/LEAN Leader Job Description

Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies®, Kleenex®, Cottonelle®, Scott®, Kotex®, Poise®, Depend®, and Kimberly-Clark Professional®.

At Kimberly-Clark, it’s all here for you—innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact.

This individual will drive operational transformation across NA Manufacturing sites through execution of tactical and strategic Continuous Improvement projects. They will utilize Six Sigma problem solving methods and LEAN tools to identify gaps, develop improvement plans, and execute solutions that deliver significant impact to MFG processes, organizational capability, and high-performance culture.

This position will strive to become a subject matter expert on all aspects of LEAN Manufacturing including Operational Excellence (OPEX), Reliability, and Lean Six Sigma, and will actively engage within one or more pillars within the KC Enterprise Operating System, Power Up. This position is accountable to develop and deploy Enterprise standards within Power Up pillars across NA MFG sites.

This individual will also play a critical role in the identification, facilitation and execution of broad NA improvement strategies and will be asked to lead complex problem solves and strategic initiatives.

They will work closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, maintenance, Value Stream, logistics, quality, finance, digital and Enterprise Supply Chain to drive plant performance. Additionally, they will provide mentorship to peers both within the team and across our NA and global MFG sites. It starts with YOU.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead execution of Lean Six Sigma projects within NA MFG sites that deliver significant value (>$1MM annual impact) and drive overall operational transformation including aspirational targets.
• Possess or working towards LSS Black Belt certification with expectation to maintain an active LSS project ongoing.
• Actively engage and participate within one or more Enterprise Power Up pillars including development of standards, collaboration, and NA representation within the team.
• Collaborate with plant CI managers to deploy Enterprise Power Up standards within NA MFG sites including change management, training, implementation, coaching and assessments.
• Collaborate with plant CI managers to deploy operational excellence and LEAN fundamentals at NA MFG sites, ensuring OEE transformation, safety, quality standards, and efficiency goals are met.
• Subject matter expert on all aspects of LEAN manufacturing with accountability to build capability across the entire NA manufacturing organization.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to mill operations, including development of visual management tools, tiered scorecards, and Leader Standard Work.
• Collaborate with mill operations and CI managers to improve yield, reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance overall productivity utilizing Six Sigma techniques and LEAN thinking.
• Collaborate with the digital capabilities team to identify and drive technology improvement solutions that enable operation efficiency and improved asset performance.
• Ensure people and process capability is being built to sustain the long-term success of the Enterprise Operating System, Power Up.
• Facilitate workshops to engage team members in activities supporting the deployment of the Enterprise Operating System, Power Up.
• Provide mentorship to business unit leaders to assist in the implementation of the Enterprise Operating System, Power Up.
• Provide mentorship to Lean Six Sigma candidates throughout their certification process.
• Provide education on Lean tools, processes and thinking to all levels of the organization, and provide support to teams as they provide the same education to their customers.
• Drive standardization, simplification and breakthrough thinking through CI, LSS, and Culture of Accountability (CoA) practices.
• Encourage and facilitate knowledge and best practice sharing across facilities/functions, including development and maintenance of standard work practices as appropriate.
• Drive effective stakeholder management across the organization thru various forums and methods.

Qualifications

• Position requires knowledge and experience typically associated with a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in supply chain, engineering or related and 10+ years of related experience.
• Possess or working towards LSS Black Belt certification.
• Have a desire to progress into future leadership roles within the regional supply chain team.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a high-speed industrial manufacturing environment/plant experience is preferred.
• Must have direct or indirect manufacturing/operations, supply chain and/or finance experience, as well as knowledge of organizational structure.
• The incumbent would typically have significant experience in Engineering, Operations, Lean Manufacturing, and Reliability and be very familiar with the application of Lean, CI, OPEX, LSS tools and theory.
• Possesses strong understanding of the broader business/organization and can relate and connect the CI and Capabilities organization to it.
• Incumbent would possess demonstrated ability to organize and lead multi-functional teams and foster a proactive team environment.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to motivate, empower, train, and coach a diverse group of team members.
• Willing to challenge the status quo and facilitate different perspectives to drive solutions.
• Experience with developing vision and strategy, demonstrated problem-solving mindset, strong project management skills, and proficiency with MS Suite are highly desired.
• Experience in multiple mills, product systems and staff experience, leadership of both exempt and non-exempt workforces are highly desired.
• Strong understanding of Adult Learning processes, Lean, CI and LSS thinking, systems and tools is highly desired.
• Experience in change management in large, complex organizations in addition to coaching and mentoring at all levels to drive collaboration across teams and functions is highly desired.

Work, Travel & Location

Normal scheduled hours may vary based on the need to support 24/7 operations.

Travel is expected be in the 50% range but at times could exceed that percentage to support business needs.

The majority of travel is within region, with the potential for international travel. Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment. Some shift work could be required based on the need to interact with operating teams.

Primary Location Neenah - West R&E Office Additional Locations Beech Island Mill, Chester Mill, Corinth Mill KC Prof Products, Corinth Mill Nonwoven Products, Jenks Mill, Loudon Mill, Marinette Mill, Maumelle Facility, Mobile Mill, Neenah - Kimtech Plant, New Milford Mill, Ogden, Owensboro Mill, Paris Plant Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Time Type Full time.

Pay and Benefits

At Kimberly-Clark, pay is just one aspect of our total rewards package, which also includes a variety of benefits and opportunities to achieve, thrive and grow.

Along with base pay, this position offers eligibility for a target bonus and a comprehensive benefits suite, including our 401(k) and Profit-Sharing plan.

• base pay
• eligibility for a target bonus
• comprehensive benefits suite
• including our 401(k) and Profit-Sharing plan

Salary Range: 127,600 – 157,600 USD

At Kimberly-Clark, pay is just one aspect of our total rewards package, which also includes a variety of benefits and opportunities to achieve, thrive and grow. Along with base pay, this position offers eligibility for a target bonus and a comprehensive benefits suite, including our 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan. The anticipated base pay range for this role is provided above for a fully qualified hire. Actual pay will depend on several factors, such as location, role, skills, performance, and experience. Please note that the stated pay range applies to US locations only. There will be 50% travel for the role. You can sit anywhere in Neenah or another plant facility in North America.

Equal Opportunity

We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.