Continuous Improvement Manager

Dover Manufacturing Corporation; Skokie (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dover Manufacturing Corporation seeks a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead the CI strategy across manufacturing and support functions. You will champion lean principles, facilitate Kaizen events, and drive data-driven improvements that elevate safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

You will develop dashboards, train teams, and partner with regional and site leadership to sustain improvements and build organizational capability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, or related field.
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience with demonstrated continuous improvement leadership.
• Lean certification (Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and execute the continuous improvement strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Identify, prioritize, and manage CI projects delivering measurable results in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, root cause analyses, and structured improvement activities.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Sales and Finance to analyze processes and implement sustainable solutions.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to track progress and communicate results to site leadership.
• Lead training sessions to build site-wide capability in Lean and Six Sigma principles.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen events

Facilitation skills

Data driven decision making

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/Operations/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

Job description

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager will lead initiatives to drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline across all manufacturing and support processes. This role partners with cross-functional teams leading strategic process improvement initiatives that enhance Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost performance. This position will champion lean principles and structured problem-solving techniques ensuring alignment between site-level improvement initiatives and broader regional operational excellence strategy. This is a highly visible role that relies on leadership and influence rather than direct supervisory responsibility. The role requires a hands-on leader who can both facilitate and execute improvement projects while building capability within the organization. The ideal candidate is passionate about transforming processes, optimizing operations, and using data-driven insights to deliver measurable results.What You’ll DoDevelop, lead, and execute the continuous improvement strategy in alignment with business objectives, working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams. Ensure strategies are aligned with operational and regional objectivesIdentify, prioritize, and manage continuous improvement projects that deliver measurable results in operational impact to safety, quality, delivery, and cost while removing barriers to improve process flowFacilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, root cause analyses, and other structured improvement activities to achieve targeted outcomesPartners with all departments including Operations, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Sales and Finance to analyze processes, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable solutionsEstablish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress of continuous improvement activities and communicate results and recommendations to site leadership. Being a driver for Daily Visual ManagementMonitor and improve key operational metrics that are linked to business goal results. Demonstrate results through performance measurement and analysisDevelop dashboards and performance tracking mechanisms to monitor site improvement progress and provide status updates on CI initiatives and activitiesLead training sessions and workshops to build site-wide capability in Lean and Six Sigma principles, driving engagement and accountability for continuous improvement at all levelsServe as subject matter expert in Lean manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving methodologiesInfluence leaders and frontline employees to adopt continuous improvement principles to drive a culture of accountability, data-driven decision making, and waste eliminationLead cross-functional improvement projects from concept through implementation and sustainment. Develop project charters, timelines, and measurable success criteriaPartner with Regional Operational Excellence leaders to deploy standardized tools, systems, and best practicesConduct regular reviews and recommend updates and revisions to standard operating procedures, work instructions, and training materials to reflect process improvementsSupport digital transformation and process automation initiatives where applicableEnsure compliance with all quality regulations, standards and corporate policies including but not limited to ISO 9001:2015 and AAR M-1003 for assigned departmentOther duties as assignedWhat You’ll BringBachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)5+ years of manufacturing experience with demonstrated continuous improvement leadershipExperience with project management tools and performance tracking systemsExperience with Microsoft Office and Project requiredThe Ideal Candidate Will Also BringDemonstrated success implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in a manufacturing environmentStrong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills with the ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop actionable solutionsProven ability to influence without authority and lead cross-functional teams to deliver results in a matrixed manufacturing environment.Ability to manage multiple changing priorities, set clear objectives, and drive accountability to meet deadlines and deliver measurable improvements while maintaining a strategic perspectiveExcellent facilitation, coaching and communication skills with the ability to engage and motivate teams at all levels of the organization and external partnersKnowledge and experience with leading Lean Process ImprovementsLean certification (Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent) preferredDemonstrated business acumen, communication skills, and relationship managementHands on work ethic with results focus is requiredPhysical Demands and Environmental ConditionsThis position is performed in an office environment but will have regular exposure to the manufacturing and warehouse environment. May be exposed to loud operating machinery, cold temperatures, chemicals, and vaporsMay require a combination of sitting, standing, and walkingMay require use of Personal computer, copy machine, other office equipmentGeneral office environment requiring extended periods of sitting in ambient inside temperature, lighting and noise levelMust be able to sit, walk, stand reach with hand and arms, stoop, kneel, bend and twist, grasp and manipulate with hands and fingers as neededLifting generally less than 5lbs. May occasionally be required to lift up to 25lbs without assistanceYou should be proficient in:Leadership / People ManagementIndustrial and Manufacturing EngineeringContinuous ImprovementKaizen