Continuous Improvement Manager

Crane Payment Innovations Inc.; Mount Prospect (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Crane Payment Innovations in Mount Prospect, IL seeks a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead the CPI Service CI program, using CBS methodologies to drive safety, quality, delivery, cost, and growth. You will coach and develop a network of CI Practitioners and partner with leaders to enable sustainable improvements across the organization.

This role requires cross-functional collaboration, strong data analysis, and the ability to influence at all levels. Up to 20% travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations or related field.
• 4+ years in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Lean or related discipline.
• Strong data analysis and structured problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead and influence individuals at all levels in a matrixed environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Define future-state process maps to support strategic priorities and close performance gaps.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and strengthen CI knowledge and accountability.
• Develop, coach, and support a network of CI Practitioners across the organization.
• Lead CI Roadmap reviews, metrics, and action plan follow-through.
• Develop strong working knowledge of SQDCG standards and visual management.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Lean

Change Management

Problem Solving

Cross-functional Leadership

Six Sigma Belt

Data Analysis

Project Management

Facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Tools

Crane Business System (CBS)

Job description

Have you ever used a self-checkout in at the grocer you frequent? Played the slots at a Las Vegas Casino? Maybe you grabbed a drink from a vending machine or paid to park your car? If you've answered with a resounding "YES", then you've done so with the aid of one of the 10 million devices installed by Crane Payment Innovations (CPI). We make the technology that powers your everyday life, enabling more than 4 billion transactions every week in more than 143 currencies worldwide. From cash and coins to cards and mobile, we keep the world of payments moving with smart validation devices and business management software. Headquartered in Malvern, PA, CPI is supported by: >2,500 global associates, 7 manufacturing sites, 12 corporate offices and 30 service branches. The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager will be responsible for leading and sustaining the organization's continuous improvement program across CPI Service. This role coaches, leads, and facilitates improvement using proven Continuous Improvement (CI) methodologies, training, and tools to deliver measurable results in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Growth (SQDCG), aligned with the company's strategic priorities. The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager partners with Service leadership and cross-functional teams to identify improvement opportunities, remove barriers, and build sustainable internal capability through the development of CI Practitioners (Tool Champions). Leveraging the Crane Business System (CBS), this role will lead and support organizational initiatives that drive operational excellence, standardization, efficiency, and sustainable business performance across CPI Service.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Partner with leadership to define future-state process maps that support the strategic priorities of the business; support teams in executing future-state plans and closing performance gaps.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and strengthen CI knowledge, engagement, and accountability across the organization.
• Develop, coach, and support a network of CI Practitioners (Tool Champions) to build organizational capability and self-sufficiency.
• Lead Continuous Improvement Roadmap reviews; support event preparation, metric development, and follow-through on action plans.
• Develop strong working knowledge of SQDCG standards and metrics; strengthen visual management systems and performance dialogue across functions.
• Ensure appropriate onboarding and CI training is provided to new employees; partner with leaders to embed standard work, problem solving, and continuous improvement expectations.
• Conduct audits of completed kaizen events and improvement projects to confirm implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability of results.
• Obtain internal certification in core CI tools within 24 months (or demonstrate equivalent competency), including Process Mapping, Standard Work for Flow, Problem Solving, and Transactional Process Improvement.
• Provide training and manage the certification process to ensure long-term sustainability and adoption of CI tools and methodologies.
• Facilitate, lead, and drive lean, kaizen, and process improvement events focused on operational and BU improvements.
• Coach and mentor leaders and teams in Continuous Improvement principles, change management, and disciplined problem-solving practices.
• Work directly with managers and stakeholders to improve operational processes aligned with business priorities and customer needs.
• Prepare concise reports and presentations to communicate progress, outcomes, and decisions to stakeholders; maintain an improvement pipeline and benefits tracking process.
• Lead and support enterprise-wide Crane Business System (CBS) initiatives, partnering with cross-functional leaders to drive standardization, operational excellence, and strategic business improvements.
• Collaborate across business units to identify and implement best practices, improve process effectiveness, and advance organizational performance objectives.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Lean, Business Transformation, Process Improvement, or a related discipline.
• Compensation range: $130,000 - $150,000 annually, plus eligibility for annual incentive program.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and motivate individuals at all levels of the organization in a matrixed environment.
• Advanced data analysis and structured problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into actionable business improvements.
• Strong project management, organization, and prioritization skills; capable of balancing strategic initiatives with day-to-day coaching and execution.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including facilitation and presentation to diverse audiences and leadership teams.
• Proven experience participating in and leading Lean, Kaizen, Process Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.
• Strong change management, coaching, and facilitation skills with the ability to build organizational capability.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and lead initiatives that span multiple departments and business units.
• Results-oriented with strong business acumen, sound judgment, and a bias for action.
• Ability to establish credibility, drive alignment, and influence decision-making across the organization.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 20%, as business needs require.

Crane Payment Innovations is committed to hiring a diverse workforce. Applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or national origin or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or applicable local law.

Sound interesting? Come see why we are OneCPI! CPI is part of Crane NXT. Crane NXT is a premier industrial technology company that provides proprietary and trusted technology solutions to secure, detect, and authenticate what matters most to its customers. The company is a pioneer in advanced, proprietary micro-optics technology for securing physical products, and its sophisticated electronic equipment and associated software leverages proprietary core capabilities with detection and sensing technologies. Crane NXT has approximately 4,000 employees with global operations and manufacturing facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, and Malta. For more information, visit www.cranenxt.com. #CPI #ContinuousImprovement #LeanManufacturing #Kaizen #RootCauseAnalysis #ValueStreamMapping #GreaterChicago #ChicagoMetro