Continuous Improvement Manager

ALKEGEN; Council Grove (KS); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

ALKEGEN in Council Grove, Kansas, is seeking a Continuous Improvement Lead focused on enhancing manufacturing processes. You will partner with plant leadership, optimize workflows, and drive cost savings through Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in engineering, 3–5+ years of manufacturing experience, and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Join us to impact the environment positively and work in a diverse, inclusive culture.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of on-site manufacturing experience, including leadership or management responsibility.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (Black Belt preferred).
• Demonstrated success improving throughput, capacity, and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a site-wide Continuous Improvement roadmap.
• Drive throughput and capacity improvements by identifying bottlenecks.
• Implement and sustain layered process audits (LPAs).
• Analyze production and performance data to identify trends.

Skills

Leadership skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Lean and Six Sigma methodologies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Minitab

Job description

Overview

Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we’re delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before.

With over 60 manufacturing facilities and a global workforce of over 9,000, Alkegen engages insulation and filtration experts to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways. Alkegen offers dynamic career opportunities with globe-spanning reach across production, engineering, operations, sales, and leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Partner with plant leadership to develop and execute a site-wide Continuous Improvement roadmap aligned with financial and operational goals.
• Become fully immersed in the manufacturing process to understand workflows, constraints, and improvement opportunities firsthand.
• Drive throughput and capacity improvements by identifying bottlenecks, optimizing workflows, and improving process reliability.
• Create and implement cost savings initiatives delivering Year over Year savings that are verifiable on the plant P&L.
• Lead cross-functional teams using Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies (DMAIC, A3, 8D).
• Identify inefficiencies and cost drivers and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Implement and sustain layered process audits (LPAs) to reinforce standards and drive accountability.
• Support capital projects by ensuring operational efficiency and risk reduction are built into design and execution.
• Conduct regular Gemba walks to observe processes, engage teams, and identify real-time improvement opportunities.
• Develop and maintain value stream maps to eliminate waste and improve flow.
• Ensure Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are updated and standardized following process improvements.

Performance & Analytics

• Analyze production and performance data to identify trends, constraints, and root causes.
• Translate CI initiatives into quantifiable cost savings, throughput gains, and operational improvements.
• Track, validate, and report results of improvement initiatives.

Culture & Leadership

• Exceptional leadership and communication skills.
• Maintain a strong and visible presence on the plant floor.
• Coach and develop employees at all levels in Lean tools and continuous improvement practices; facilitate Kaizen events and hands-on improvement workshops.
• Foster a culture of accountability, standardization, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field
• 3–5+ years of on-site manufacturing experience, including leadership or management responsibility (required)
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (Black Belt preferred)
• Demonstrated success improving throughput, capacity, and operational performance
• Experience implementing LPAs, conducting Gemba walks, and driving standard work
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and leadership skills
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence at all levels of the organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in industrial, materials, or process manufacturing environments
• Experience with data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, Minitab, etc.)

If you are interested in being part of a world class continuous improvement team at Alkegen then we would love to hear from you.

At Alkegen, we strive every day to help people – ALL PEOPLE – breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. We believe that diversity and inclusion is central to this mission and to our impact. Our diverse and inclusive culture drives our growth & innovation and we nurture it by actively embracing our differences and using our varied perspectives to solve the complex challenges facing our changing and diverse world.

Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, color, gender identity and expression, age, disability, education, opinions, culture, languages spoken, veteran’s status, or any other protected class.