Continuous Improvement Manager

AppleOne Employment Services; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Health Savings Account and Flexible Sp

401(k)

Job summary

AppleOne Employment Services has a direct hire opportunity in Oxnard, CA for a Continuous Improvement Manager at a leading aerospace and defense manufacturer. You will lead Lean, Six Sigma, and daily management to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and people performance.

The Continuous Improvement Manager will serve as the site owner for the operating system framework and will help build the structure, accountability, and performance culture needed to drive measurable business

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field.
• Lean Six Sigma training or certification, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 7 or more years of experience in manufacturing or operations.
• 3 or more years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence or a similar function.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Standard Work, Line Balancing, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and deliver measurable operational and financial results.
• Ability to influence leaders and teams across all levels of an organization, including without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Own, deploy, and sustain the site operating system, including daily management systems, KPI dashboards, visual management, Kaizen activities, maturity assessments, and improvement roadmaps.
• Lead cost productivity initiatives and manage the continuous improvement savings pipeline, partnering with Finance to validate savings and measurable P&L impact.
• Standardize KPI definitions, improve data accuracy, and ensure performance metrics are used effectively to drive accountability and action.
• Lead cross-functional continuous improvement projects using Lean and Six Sigma tools such as DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Standard Work, and Line Balancing.
• Drive corrective actions and countermeasures through daily management meetings, operational reviews, and Monthly Business Reviews.
• Build problem-solving capability across the organization while promoting a culture of operational discipline, accountability, and sustainable improvement.

Skills

Lead continuous improvement

KPI dashboards management

Lean Six Sigma

DMAIC

Value Stream Mapping

5S

Standard Work

Line Balancing

Problem-solving

Change management

Influence without authority

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations/Business

Job description

Job Summary

A leading manufacturer supporting mission-critical aerospace and defense applications is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager for a direct hire opportunity in Oxnard, CA. This role is ideal for a results-driven operational excellence professional who can lead Lean, Six Sigma, and daily management initiatives that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and people performance.

The Continuous Improvement Manager will serve as the site owner for the operating system framework and will help build the structure, accountability, and performance culture needed to drive measurable business results. This is a high-impact opportunity with strong leadership visibility, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to influence meaningful operational and financial improvement across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Own, deploy, and sustain the site operating system, including daily management systems, KPI dashboards, visual management, Kaizen activities, maturity assessments, and improvement roadmaps.
• Lead cost productivity initiatives and manage the continuous improvement savings pipeline, partnering with Finance to validate savings and measurable P&L impact.
• Standardize KPI definitions, improve data accuracy, and ensure performance metrics are used effectively to drive accountability and action.
• Lead cross-functional continuous improvement projects using Lean and Six Sigma tools such as DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Standard Work, and Line Balancing.
• Drive corrective actions and countermeasures through daily management meetings, operational reviews, and Monthly Business Reviews.
• Build problem-solving capability across the organization while promoting a culture of operational discipline, accountability, and sustainable improvement.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $121,432 to $202,388 per year.
• Direct hire opportunity.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Paid time off and vacation.
• 401(k).
• Employee stock purchase program.
• Employee profit share program.
• Employee discounts.
• On-site snack and drink room.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Lead continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives across a manufacturing site.
• Manage KPI dashboards, tiered daily management systems, visual management, Kaizen events, and improvement roadmaps.
• Drive Lean and Six Sigma projects that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and people performance.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to validate savings, implement countermeasures, and sustain measurable results.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field.
• Lean Six Sigma training or certification, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 7 or more years of experience in manufacturing or operations.
• 3 or more years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence or a similar function.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Standard Work, Line Balancing, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and deliver measurable operational and financial results.
• Strong analytical, communication, leadership, and change management skills.
• Ability to influence leaders and teams across all levels of an organization, including without direct authority.
• Must meet ITAR requirements.
• Must pass background and drug screening requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience owning or deploying a formal operating system, daily management system, or operational excellence framework.
• Demonstrated success building a sustainable continuous improvement culture across multiple functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

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We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.