Continuous Improvement Manager

Emerson Electric Co; Marshalltown (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Emerson Electric Co. in Marshalltown, IA, seeks a Manufacturing Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead cross-functional projects and drive operational excellence.

You will analyze data from production, quality, and inventory to identify opportunities, develop charters, and implement plans that yield measurable gains. You will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and IT to deliver sustainable improvements, design dashboards, and train teams in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Analytics, or related technical field.
• Minimum 3+ years of manufacturing, engineering, operations, quality, or continuous improvement experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects from identification through implementation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using data analysis and visualization tools such as Power BI, Excel, SQL, Power Query, or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive organizational change.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prioritize, and manage a portfolio of continuous improvement projects aligned with plant strategic objectives.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the execution of manufacturing, operational, and business process improvement initiatives.
• Analyze production, quality, inventory, labor, and transactional data to identify trends, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop business cases, project charters, and implementation plans for improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate structured problem solving and root cause analysis using data-driven methodologies.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and IT teams to deliver sustainable improvements.
• Lead projects focused on productivity, throughput, lead time reduction, quality improvement, cost reduction, and capacity expansion.
• Design and implement dashboards, reports, visual management tools, and performance metrics that support operational decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes, improve data accessibility, and enhance information flow throughout the organization.
• Map and evaluate manufacturing and business processes to eliminate waste, reduce complexity, and improve efficiency.
• Measure and communicate project results, ensuring improvements are sustained and documented.
• Coach teams on continuous improvement principles and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Support plant leadership by providing analysis, project updates, and recommendations based on operational data.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Power BI

Excel

SQL

Power Query

Job description

In this Role, Your Responsibilities Will Be:

• Identify, prioritize, and manage a portfolio of continuous improvement projects aligned with plant strategic objectives.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the execution of manufacturing, operational, and business process improvement initiatives.
• Analyze production, quality, inventory, labor, and transactional data to identify trends, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop business cases, project charters, and implementation plans for improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate structured problem solving and root cause analysis using data-driven methodologies.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and IT teams to deliver sustainable improvements.
• Lead projects focused on productivity, throughput, lead time reduction, quality improvement, cost reduction, and capacity expansion.
• Design and implement dashboards, reports, visual management tools, and performance metrics that support operational decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes, improve data accessibility, and enhance information flow throughout the organization.
• Map and evaluate manufacturing and business processes to eliminate waste, reduce complexity, and improve efficiency.
• Measure and communicate project results, ensuring improvements are sustained and documented.
• Coach teams on continuous improvement principles and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Support plant leadership by providing analysis, project updates, and recommendations based on operational data.

Who You Are:

• You use data and facts to identify opportunities and drive decisions.
• You are comfortable moving between the manufacturing floor and analytical project work.
• You build credibility through collaboration and results.
• You effectively communicate with operators, supervisors, engineers, and senior leadership.
• You can manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining focus on measurable business outcomes.

For this Role, You Will Need:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Analytics, or related technical field.
• Minimum 3+ years of manufacturing, engineering, operations, quality, or continuous improvement experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects from identification through implementation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using data analysis and visualization tools such as Power BI, Excel, SQL, Power Query, or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive organizational change.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications that Set You Apart:

• Lean, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence certification.
• Experience with Power Platform development, automation tools, or manufacturing systems.
• Experience managing capital, productivity, or digital transformation projects.
• Knowledge of ERP and manufacturing data systems.
• Project management experience.

Our Culture & Commitment to You:

At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives-because we know that great ideas come from great teams. Our commitment to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities, we invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact. We believe diverse teams, working together are key to driving growth and delivering business results.

We recognize the importance of employee wellbeing and know that to do your best you must have flexible, competitive benefit plans to meet your physical, mental, financial, and social needs. We provide a variety of medical insurance plans, with dental and vision coverage. Our culture prioritizes work-life balance and offers flexible time off plans, including paid holidays and volunteer time. You will also get hands‑on experience, professional development, and networking opportunities in our well‑established and structured co‑op program. There is also an easy to access on‑site cafeterias, fitness facilities, employee resource groups, recognition, and much more.

Our Location:

Marshalltown, Iowa , combines the charm of a close‑knit community with the conveniences of a thriving city. Located in central Iowa, less than an hour from both Des Moines and Ames, Marshalltown offers easy access to urban amenities while providing a variety of local outdoor recreation activities like hiking, biking, golf, swimming, and exploring local parks. With its affordable cost of living, excellent schools, and vibrant diverse local culture, Marshalltown is a welcoming place to call home!