Continuous Improvement Manager

Strongward; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Strongward seeks a Continuous Improvement Manager to embed Toyota Production System and Lean into disaster recovery, housing construction, and client services. The role improves quality, reduces waste, and shortens the time from disaster to recovery.

The manager leads improvement initiatives, coaches staff on practical problem solving, and partners with cross‑functional teams to achieve operational excellence aligned with Strongward’s mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in operations, construction management, business, or a related field is required.
• 5–7 years of experience in process optimization, Lean manufacturing, business operations, or continuous improvement; nonprofit/construction/humanitarian settings preferred.
• Strong practical understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, KPI development, change management, and operational performance improvement.
• Soft skills: analytical thinking, communication, facilitation, and change leadership with influence without authority.
• Mission-driven focus on disaster resilience and optimizing resources for vulnerable communities.
• Must meet legal work authorization and complete background checks.

Responsibilities

• Standardize and optimize processes to reduce waste and improve quality in disaster recovery operations.
• Lead Kaizen events, Gemba walks, and problem-solving workshops; guide cross-functional teams.
• Track KPIs, report progress to leadership, and ensure improvements are sustained and compliant.
• Coach staff on Lean tools and standardized work to drive adoption across daily operations.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and manage project-related expenses within approved parameters.

Skills

Lean principles

Six Sigma

Value stream mapping

KPI development

Change leadership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in operations, construction management, business, or related field

Job description

Strongward is a long-term disaster recovery organization. We exist to transform disaster from tragedy to strength, equipping hardest-hit homeowners and communities with the capacity to emerge stronger than before. Our services are currently offered across eight states in the South, with active rebuilding sites in New Orleans and communities across Florida.

• Safe Homes: We partner with disaster-impacted homeowners to rebuild homes, restore stability, and create a path forward through our Recovery Services. We help families return home faster, and we strengthen their homes against the next storm. We provide hands‑on support in navigating and appealing disaster funding decisions that shape the recovery of hardest‑hit homeowners with the fewest resources.
• Stronger Communities: Through our Advisory Services, we help under‑resourced, high‑risk communities build local capacity before and after disaster. Our team of subject‑matter experts and Resilience Fellows provides training, consulting, and hands‑on support so local leaders can build knowledge and recovery systems that stay in place long after outside support ends.

Joining Strongward is more than just joining a workforce. Many organizations focus on the immediate aftermath, when attention and funding peak. Strongward is one of the few disaster recovery organizations built specifically for the long aftermath. We work in the silence after the cameras leave, and we stay until the work is done.

Position Summary:

This role integrates Toyota Production System (TPS) and Lean principles into Strongward’s disaster recovery, housing construction, and client service operations to improve quality, reduce waste, and shrink the time between disaster and recovery.

The Continuous Improvement Manager drives operational efficiency, leads improvement initiatives, partners with cross‑functional teams, and coaches staff on practical problem‑solving methods that support organizational goals.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities, Duties, and Scope of Authority

• Process Standardization and Optimization: Assess workflows, identify operational gaps, and design strategies to streamline and standardize work, reduce waste, improve quality, and strengthen service delivery. Implements approved Lean/TPS practices in partnership with functional leaders and escalates decisions involving major policy changes, staffing impacts, or organization‑wide operational shifts to the Chief Operating Officer.
• Project Leadership and Facilitation: Facilitate Kaizen events, Gemba walks, and problem‑solving workshops with staff and managers to ensure solutions are adopted and sustained. Provides project leadership, facilitation, coaching, and technical guidance to cross‑functional teams; may direct project activities and assign improvement‑related tasks but does not have direct people‑management responsibility unless assigned.
• Metric Tracking, Reporting, and Accountability: Establish KPIs, evaluate process improvements, and report progress, risks, barriers, recommendations, and measurable outcomes to leadership. Partners with department leaders to ensure improvements are adopted, sustained, and aligned with Strongward’s mission, operational priorities, and compliance expectations.
• Culture, Training, and Change Adoption: Coach and support staff at all levels on Lean tools, practical problem solving, standardized work, and continuous improvement practices. Influences without direct authority and supports managers and teams in applying new practices consistently across daily work.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration and Resource Stewardship: Work across operations divisions and departments to identify challenges, implement scalable solutions, and support faster, more consistent recovery for disaster‑impacted communities. Identifies cost‑saving opportunities, supports resource planning, recommends investments that improve efficiency, quality, safety, or service delivery, and monitors project‑related expenses and resource use within approved parameters.

Other Duties as Assigned

Requirements and Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in operations, construction management, business, or a related field required.
• Experience: Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in process optimization, Lean manufacturing, business operations, or continuous improvement; experience driving Lean/TPS transformations in nonprofit, construction, or humanitarian settings preferred.
• Methodologies: Strong practical understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, KPI development, change management, and operational performance improvement.
• Soft Skills: Strong analytical approach, communication, facilitation, and change leadership skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority and translate complex Lean concepts into clear, practical instructions for staff and volunteer teams.
• Mission Alignment: Deep passion for disaster resilience, social impact, and optimizing limited resources to serve vulnerable communities faster.
• Special Requirements and Physical Demands: Must meet applicable legal work authorization requirements and successfully complete required background checks, including criminal history, National Sex Offender Registry, state, and FBI checks.

Salary range: $92,000 - $125,000

Strongward is building a team from a broad range of backgrounds.

We love fresh perspectives and we know our teams grow stronger when they include different experiences. We adhere to all relevant employment laws and never discriminate in our hiring. By welcoming people from varied backgrounds, we spark new ideas and are better prepared to support the communities we serve.

Strongward is an equal opportunity employer.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.