Continuous Improvement Manager

Jadex; Columbia (SC); In loco; USD 90.000 - 130.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Shakespeare Company in Columbia, SC is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead our operational excellence program across manufacturing, warehouse and supply chain. You will partner with leaders to deliver safety, quality, delivery and cost improvements through Lean methods and structured problem solving.

The role emphasizes hands-on coaching, developing sustainable standards and turning opportunities into measurable financial and operational results.

Competenze

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years in manufacturing, operations or continuous-improvement.
• Lean methods experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Value-stream mapping, Kaizen facilitation, 5S, standard work, visual management, setup reduction, root-cause analysis.
• Strong project-management, facilitation, change-leadership, coaching and presentation skills.
• Excel and business reporting tools proficiency; ERP/MRP data usage.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred; Black Belt strongly preferred.
• Experience across multiple business units or product lines preferred.
• Willingness to travel and spend significant time on the manufacturing floor.

Mansioni

• Develop and execute the continuous-improvement roadmap aligned with priorities and financial objectives.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Finance and HR to deliver cross-functional initiatives.
• Lead value-stream mapping, Kaizen events, 5S, standard work, visual management and flow improvements.
• Establish tiered daily management, KPI reviews and gemba walks with leader standard work.
• Facilitate structured problem solving using A3, PDCA, 8D, root-cause and Pareto analysis.
• Improve throughput, productivity, OEE, schedule attainment and inventory accuracy.
• Support SIOP, production planning, materials flow and ERP discipline.
• Develop project charters, baselines and milestones; validate savings with Finance.
• Create and maintain scorecards and dashboards for safety, quality, delivery and costs.
• Build capability by training and coaching leaders and employees in Lean and data-based decision making.
• Sustain improvements with standards, training, audits and follow-up reviews.
• Promote employee involvement and test countermeasures; provide leadership updates.

Conoscenze

Lean methods

Problem solving

Data analysis

Excel

ERP/MRP data

Project management

Facilitation

Change leadership

Coaching

Presentation skills

Gemba walks

Value-stream mapping

Kaizen

5S

Standard work

Visual management

Formazione

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain or related field

Strumenti

ERP/MRP systems

Business reporting tools

Descrizione del lavoro

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

SKC Administration Full Time Management Columbia, SC, US

Position Summary

The Continuous Improvement Manager leads the development and deployment of Shakespeare Company’s operational excellence system across manufacturing, warehouse, supply chain and supporting functions. This position partners with business and functional leaders to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, material flow, inventory performance and cost through Lean methods, disciplined daily management and structured problem solving. The role serves as a hands‑on change agent who builds internal capability, establishes sustainable standards and converts improvement opportunities into measurable financial and operational results.

Essential Functions

• Develop and execute the company’s continuous-improvement roadmap in alignment with business priorities, customer requirements and financial objectives.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Finance and Human Resources to identify, prioritize and deliver cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Lead value‑stream mapping, Kaizen events, 5S, workplace organization, standard work, visual management, flow, pull, setup reduction and waste‑elimination activities.
• Establish and strengthen tiered daily management, KPI reviews, visual performance boards, escalation routines, leader standard work and gemba walks.
• Facilitate structured problem solving using methods such as A3, PDCA, 8D, root‑cause analysis, Pareto analysis and cause‑and‑effect analysis.
• Improve process stability, throughput, labor productivity, overall equipment effectiveness, schedule attainment, material yield, scrap, rework, inventory accuracy, on‑time delivery and conversion cost.
• Work with Supply Chain and Operations to improve SIOP execution, production planning, materials flow, warehouse processes, inventory controls and ERP transaction discipline.
• Develop project charters, baselines, milestones, owners, risks and benefit calculations; partner with Finance to validate savings and report realized results.
• Create and maintain operational scorecards and dashboards that provide timely visibility to safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory and workforce performance.
• Build continuous‑improvement capability by training, coaching and mentoring leaders, supervisors and employees in Lean principles, problem solving and data‑based decision making.
• Ensure improvements are sustained through documented standards, training, audits, process ownership, control plans and follow‑up reviews.
• Support capital‑project justification and implementation by evaluating process capability, labor impact, flow, capacity, quality, safety and expected financial return.
• Promote employee involvement by creating practical mechanisms for teams to identify problems, test countermeasures and recognize implemented improvements.
• Provide leadership with clear project updates, barriers, decisions required and measured results.
• Perform other duties and lead additional operational excellence priorities as assigned.

Secondary Functions

• The ability to read and understand documents, specifications, contracts and business data and to perform mathematical calculations.
• The ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with employees, suppliers, customers and cross‑functional partners.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and maintain accurate records.
• The ability to use sound judgment, follow direction and handle confidential or commercially sensitive information appropriately.
• The ability to work in office, manufacturing, warehouse and supplier environments as business needs require.

Position Specifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain or a related field is preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive manufacturing, operations or continuous‑improvement experience is required, including demonstrated leadership of cross‑functional improvement projects.
• Demonstrated experience applying Lean methods in an industrial manufacturing environment is required.
• Working knowledge of value‑stream mapping, Kaizen facilitation, 5S, standard work, visual management, setup reduction, root‑cause analysis and performance‑management systems is required.
• Demonstrated ability to quantify improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory, scrap, lead time or cost is required.
• Strong project‑management, facilitation, change‑leadership, coaching and presentation skills are required.
• Strong data‑analysis skills and proficiency with Microsoft Excel and business reporting tools are required; experience using ERP/MRP data to identify and validate improvements is preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt is preferred; Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent advanced Lean certification is strongly preferred.
• Experience in polymer processing, extrusion, composites, fiberglass assembly, military, aerospace, telecommunications or other regulated manufacturing is preferred.
• Experience supporting multiple business units, plants or product lines is preferred.
• The ability to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor and travel periodically to other business locations is required.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of responsibilities for this position, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. Company management may assign other relevant, business‑related duties.