Continuous Improvement Manager

Alcoa Australia; Town of Massena (NY); On-site; USD 127,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days 15 prorated

HSA/401(k) employer match

Deferred compensation plan

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Alcoa Massena Operations in Massena, NY is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead operational excellence and drive sustainable improvements using the Alcoa Business System, Lean principles and structured problem-solving across the site.

You will partner with leaders, coach teams, and manage projects from concept to implementation, delivering measurable savings while strengthening performance and safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 4–6+ years leading process improvement initiatives.
• Experience with Lean and ABS.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and change-management skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Proven cross-functional leadership in manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment and sustainability of Lean systems across multiple areas.
• Partner with leaders to identify opportunities improving safety, quality, productivity.
• Facilitate improvement projects from concept through implementation.
• Lead process optimization, cost reduction, and planning activities.
• Coach employees and leaders in continuous improvement tools.
• Drive organizational change and sustain best practices.
• Track savings and document improvements with reporting systems.
• Support annual operating plans and departmental budgets.
• Serve as trusted advisor to site leadership.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Cross-functional

Facilitation

Problem Solving

Data Analysis

Change Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

A3 Methodology

Root Cause Analysis

Standardized Work

Job description

Shape Your World At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper. Alcoa Massena Operations is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead the advancement of operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives across the site. This role serves as a key partner to leaders and employees throughout the organization, helping drive sustainable business improvements through the Alcoa Business System (ABS), Lean Manufacturing principles, and structured problem-solving methodologies. This professional will work cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, support functions, and leadership teams to identify opportunities, improve processes, build internal capability, and deliver measurable business results. This is a highly visible role that combines strategic thinking, change leadership, coaching, and hands-on execution to strengthen performance across the operation.

About the Role

• Lead the deployment and sustainability of Lean Manufacturing systems and continuous improvement initiatives across multiple functional areas, including Production, Maintenance, EHS, Procurement, Human Resources, and other support organizations.
• Partner with leaders and employees to identify opportunities that improve safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost performance across the operation.
• Facilitate improvement projects from concept through implementation, ensuring actions are aligned with site objectives and deliver measurable business value.
• Lead initiatives focused on process optimization, cost reduction, operational effectiveness, industrial engineering studies, and business planning activities.
• Develop, coach, and mentor employees and leaders in continuous improvement tools and methodologies, fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, and problem-solving.
• Facilitate structured problem-solving efforts using A3 methodology, standardized work, root cause analysis, and other Lean principles.
• Drive organizational change initiatives that improve customer-supplier connections, eliminate waste, and increase operational efficiency.
• Track, validate, and document business improvements and savings through established reporting systems and performance metrics.
• Support the development of annual operating plans, performance targets, and departmental budgets in partnership with site leadership.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and change agent, helping teams adopt and sustain best practices across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 4-6+ years of experience leading process improvement, operational excellence, continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or related initiatives.
• Strong understanding of budget development, implementation, and performance management processes.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Lean Manufacturing principles and driving measurable operational improvements.
• Excellent facilitation, coaching, and change management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to translate data into actionable improvements.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization without direct authority.
• Proven success leading cross-functional teams and driving results in complex environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous leadership experience within a manufacturing, industrial, metals, mining, chemicals, or heavy industrial environment.
• Formal training or certification in Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading large-scale organizational change initiatives.
• Knowledge of industrial production processes and value stream optimization.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive compensation packages, including pay-for-performance variable pay as well as recognition and rewards programs
• Flexible spending accounts and generous employer contribution to the HSA 401(k), employer match up to 6%, additional employer retirement income contribution (no vesting period), and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan
• 15 vacation days prorated in the 1st year based on hire date
• Alcoa has been chosen as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces 2023 by Newsweek #LI-TL2

Base Salary: 127,200 - 190,600 USD annually

Total rewards packages listed, including base salary and bonus eligibility, applies to US based applicants only.

Actual salaries will vary and will be based on a range of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and competencies in conjunction with multiple components of the Employee Total Rewards Package.

Alcoa reserves the right to change plans at its discretion.

About the Location

Our Massena facility in New York State, established in 1902, is home to the longest continuously operating smelter in the world. Located on the St. Lawrence River, Massena, NY is the center for commercial, industrial, and manufacturing success in St. Lawrence County. Massena’s caring sense of community, affordable cost of living, and extremely low-cost locally supplied energy, coupled with four public and private universities nearby, make Massena a great place to call home. And within a two hour drive (or less) are cosmopolitan and historic Montreal and Ottawa, Canada to the north, and to the south are the tall, beautiful views of Adirondacks and within it is Lake Placid The Olympic Village.

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress.

Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.

As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate.

If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at [e-mail].

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.

Application close date is: 22 October 2026, however Alcoa reserves the right to change this date at its discretion.

Shape your Career at Alcoa!

As an Alcoan you are part of a global team committed to advancing sustainability and delivering excellence and innovation. As a values-based company, we Act with Integrity, Operate with Excellence, Care for People, and Lead with Courage. Join us and become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. We treat all people with dignity and we believe in inclusion, diversity and enabling all employees to grow and develop their careers with us, where they can pursue their passions. Discover the possibilities a career with Alcoa can have for you. Come shape your career with us! Careers @ Alcoa Sustainability @ Alcoa