Continuous Improvement Manager

Knauf Insulation, Inc.; Albion (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Virtual medical services

Fertility/adoption benefits

401(k) with match

Parental leave

Family leave

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation

Tuition reimbursement

EAP

More benefits

Job summary

Knauf North America is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead the plant's CI effort, champion CI culture, and coach leadership and staff in CI methodologies across safety, quality, productivity, cost, and morale.

The role requires a proven track record in industrial manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma experience, and the ability to drive improvements through training and structured programs within a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of leadership or engineering experience in industrial manufacturing.
• Minimum two years CI/Lean Six Sigma experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field; Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the annual CI plan with plant leadership and publish it.
• Facilitate the CI Steering Committee and assess maturity against the Knauf CI framework.
• Lead regular improvement workshops and CI training initiatives.
• Establish, publish, and update a plant CI training plan and deliver classroom/shop floor instruction.
• Cultivate and improve the CI culture, leader standard work, visual controls and accountability processes.
• Use root cause analysis, lean six sigma, A3 problem solving and other tools to drive data-driven improvements.
• Visually track results and publish outcomes; advocate KI values and behaviors.

Skills

Leadership

CI/Lean Six Sigma

Project management

SAP

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Lean Six Sigma Black/Green belt preferred

Job description

Knauf North America is the world's fastest-growing insulation manufacturer. We are wholly committed to the conservation of the environment while also sustainably developing and manufacturing a comprehensive line of acoustical fiberglass insulation for residential, commercial, industrial, marine, OEM and metal building applications, using post-consumer recycled materials.

We welcome passionate and creative individuals who thrive in an entrepreneurial, collaborative and ever-changing environment.

Our benefits go beyond just providing coverage.

We’re committed to the whole you – your health, wealth, peace of mind, self and community.

Our Benefits Include

• Medical, Dental, Vision – starting on day one!
• Virtual Medical Services
• Fertility and adoption benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (earn 100% matching on your first 6% contribution and fully vested day one)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid Family Leave
• Company provided Salary Continuance (Short-term Disability)
• Company paid life insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Plus, more!

Growth opportunities available!

About The Role

The Continuous Improvement Manager manages the plant’s continuous improvement (CI) effort. (S)he is responsible for championing, developing and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement throughout the plant. The CI Manager is a champion of CI principles, a practitioner of CI and related methodologies, and a coach and trainer to the plant leadership team, supervision, and all plant employees. Effective CI results in improved safety, quality, productivity, cost, and employee morale.

What You’ll Do

• Own the annual CI plan. Work with plant leadership to develop and publish it. Track progress and update as required.
• Facilitate the plant CI Steering Committee to manage and improve the plant CI program. Understand the Knauf CI Framework. Assess the plant CI maturity to the framework. Identify gaps and plan to improve. Facilitate improvement programs. Publish results. Sustain the improvements. Correct as necessary. Celebrate successes.
• Lead regular improvement workshops. Coordinate with plant leadership to identify areas for improvement, facilitate workshops, and involve everyone, improve systems, and effectively sustain the gains.Lead CI training.
• Establish, publish, maintain, and update a plant CI training plan. Facilitate teaching in both the classroom and shop floor environments. Serve as a role model for excellent instructional training and development of these capabilities in others.
• Understand, cultivate, and improve the plant CI culture. Using a process focus, facilitate the leadership team to establish/improve leader standard work, visual controls, and standard accountability processes. Ensure innovation programs are effective. Improve team problem solving. Involve everyone.
• Facilitate the use of advanced methodologies and tools, including root cause analysis, team problem solving, lean six sigma, A3 problem solving, and other applicable tools. Help the plant become more process and data driven.
• Visually Track results and publicize results.
• Be an advocate for and set an example of KI Values and Behaviors in all actions and duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Technology or related field
• Black or Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Certification preferred

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years’ leadership or engineering experience in an industrial manufacturing environment
• Minimum two (2) years’ Continuous Improvement/Lean Six Sigma experience

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of process/continuous improvement tools, methodologies and practices; knowledge of 5S activities and audits
• Knowledge of root cause analysis
• Knowledge of statistical data
• Technical knowledge of mechanics
• Working knowledge of SAP preferred

It is the policy of Knauf Insulation to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic prohibited by applicable law.

About Knauf North America

Knauf North America represents one of the most respected and progressive names in insulation worldwide. Though operations first began throughout Europe, Knauf Insulation manufacturing started here in the United States in 1978. Having since pioneered many sustainable insulation manufacturing practices, we are one of the fastest growing insulation manufacturers in the world.

Become part of the family you can trust — built on solid values and a diverse culture. At Knauf, you’re more than an employee. You’re part of the family. Part of something bigger. So we invest in you. Because you don’t just play a role in the building you’re in. You play a key role in impacting buildings globally. Doing good for the people within them and to make tomorrow a home for all of us.