Continuous Improvement Manager

ZSG; Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

ZSG is seeking a hands-on Process / Operational Excellence Manager to support two manufacturing facilities in the Wilkes-Barre / Exeter area. You will lead continuous improvement initiatives on the shop floor, coaching operators and leadership to eliminate waste and drive productivity.

This role demands strong analytical skills, on-floor execution, and the ability to implement Lean, CI, and Six Sigma practices across multiple teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated success delivering measurable improvements in productivity, cost, efficiency, quality, or other manufacturing performance metrics.
• Hands-on experience working within a manufacturing or industrial production environment.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Ability to influence and coach hourly employees, supervisors, and management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project-management, and communication skills.
• Comfortable spending significant time on the production floor in a heavy industrial environment.
• Engineering or technical degree preferred, but relevant manufacturing experience and demonstrated results are more important than education.
• Experience within metals, heavy manufacturing, chemicals, industrial processing, or similar environments is beneficial but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence initiatives across two local manufacturing facilities.
• Work directly on the shop floor with operators, supervisors, and plant leadership to identify and solve operational challenges.
• Identify bottlenecks, waste, productivity gaps, and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Lead and personally execute improvement projects that deliver measurable operational results.
• Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence methodologies.
• Analyze manufacturing performance and KPIs to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Coach and train employees and manufacturing leaders on CI/OPEX tools and practices.
• Improve shop-floor processes, standard work, operating disciplines, and manufacturing performance.
• Partner cross-functionally with production, engineering, maintenance, quality, and plant leadership.
• Help establish a sustainable culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Operational Excellence

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

Six Sigma

Problem-Solving

Communication

On-floor Leadership

Education

Engineering or technical degree preferred

Job description

Process / Operational Excellence Manager

Schedule: Full-Time | On-Site | Flexible Day-Shift Hours

The Opportunity

We are seeking a hands-on Process / Operational Excellence Manager to support two manufacturing facilities in the Wilkes-Barre / Exeter area.

This is a highly visible opportunity for someone who wants to make a measurable impact on manufacturing performance. The role will work directly with plant leadership, supervisors, and shop-floor employees to strengthen operational-excellence fundamentals, improve productivity, and build sustainable continuous-improvement practices.

This is not a corporate or desk-based Continuous Improvement position. The successful candidate will spend significant time on the manufacturing floor identifying opportunities, implementing solutions, coaching employees, and driving behavioral and operational change.

What You'll Do

• Lead Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence initiatives across two local manufacturing facilities.
• Work directly on the shop floor with operators, supervisors, and plant leadership to identify and solve operational challenges.
• Identify bottlenecks, waste, productivity gaps, and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Lead and personally execute improvement projects that deliver measurable operational results.
• Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence methodologies.
• Analyze manufacturing performance and KPIs to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Coach and train employees and manufacturing leaders on CI/OPEX tools and practices.
• Improve shop-floor processes, standard work, operating disciplines, and manufacturing performance.
• Partner cross-functionally with production, engineering, maintenance, quality, and plant leadership.
• Help establish a sustainable culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated success delivering measurable improvements in productivity, cost, efficiency, quality, or other manufacturing performance metrics.
• Hands-on experience working within a manufacturing or industrial production environment.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Ability to influence and coach hourly employees, supervisors, and management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project-management, and communication skills.
• Comfortable spending significant time on the production floor in a heavy industrial manufacturing environment.
• Engineering or technical degree preferred, but relevant manufacturing experience and demonstrated results are more important than education.

Experience within metals, heavy manufacturing, chemicals, industrial processing, or similar environments is beneficial but not required.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

You’ll join a global manufacturing organization while taking on a role with significant local visibility and opportunity for immediate impact. You’ll support two integrated manufacturing facilities with approximately 250–300 employees and work directly with plant leadership to improve performance and strengthen the culture of continuous improvement.

The role also offers the opportunity to help shape the future Continuous Improvement / Operational Excellence structure as the organization grows.

Compensation: $100,000–$125,000 base salary, depending on experience, plus a target annual bonus.