Continuous Improvement Manager

MW Components, Inc.; Anaheim (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MW Components, Inc. in Anaheim, CA is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to drive Lean initiatives across the manufacturing facility.

You will partner with site leadership to identify opportunities, drive standard work, and deploy Kaizen events to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost. The role requires 7+ years in manufacturing/Lean, a Bachelor’s in engineering or related field, and a proven ability to coach leaders, manage projects, and build sustainable operating systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field or equivalent experience
• 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 KPIs
• Experience working with plant leadership and cross-functional teams
• Light travel may be required
• Experience in multi-site manufacturing environments
• Experience supporting automation
• Experience implementing operational management systems and KPI scorecards
• Prior leadership or management experience

Responsibilities

• Partner with General Manager and site leadership to evaluate operational performance and identify continuous improvement opportunities
• Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and engagement
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and problem-solving activities
• Collaborate with engineers to identify automation opportunities to boost productivity
• Develop and execute site-specific improvement roadmaps
• Drive standardization of best practices and work methods
• Analyze KPIs to identify trends and bottlenecks
• Coach plant leadership on Lean principles and problem-solving
• Implement Lean systems (5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Kaizen)
• Establish measurable targets and track results
• Lead cross-functional teams to sustain gains
• Promote accountability and continuous improvement culture
• Ensure initiatives align with safety, quality, and operations
• Present progress and results to senior leadership

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Facilitation

Data-driven decisions

Change leadership

Communication

Business acumen

Project management

Coaching

Operating systems

Power BI

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $130,000 USD to $150,000 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.

Description

SUMMARY:

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence initiatives for the manufacturing facility through the deployment of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and performance management methodologies. This role partners closely with the General Manager, and site leadership to identify improvement opportunities, reduce waste, increase productivity, improve quality, and enhance overall operational performance. The Continuous Improvement Manager 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 role requiring strong facilitation, analytical, and leadership skills. Some travel may be required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with General Manager 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 work engineers 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 and work methods.
• 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.
• Ensure all improvement initiatives align with safety, quality, and operational objectives.
• Prepare and present progress updates, project results, and performance metrics to senior leadership.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Excellent facilitation and workshop leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and influence without direct authority.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect operational improvements to financial results.
• Effective project management and prioritization skills.
• 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.

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.
• Experience working directly with plant leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Light travel may be required.
• Experience in multi-site manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting automation
• Experience implementing operational management systems and KPI scorecards.
• Prior leadership or management experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands/arms; lift and/or lower; push and/or pull; and use hands to finger, handle, feel and/or finely manipulate objects. The employee must frequently lift/move and/or push/pull up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift/move and/or push/pull up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Use of vision correction is acceptable, if necessary; however, any vision correction apparatus must meet all safety guidelines for the area of activity.

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.