Continuous Improvement Manager - Laurel Plant

Milliken and Company; Gainesville, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Milliken and Company in Gainesville, FL is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead Lean Six Sigma deployment at a chemical process facility. The role focuses on driving operational excellence, building a CI culture, and delivering measurable business outcomes across safety, quality, cost, and productivity.

You will manage CI projects, provide Lean Six Sigma training to site personnel, coach teams, and engage stakeholders to secure buy-in.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field.
• 5+ years in chemical process/manufacturing with CI leadership.
• Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and CI methodologies.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills in data analysis.
• Exceptional influencing, coaching, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience managing multiple projects in fast-paced environments.
• Change management experience to foster CI culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and sustainment of Lean Six Sigma at the site.
• Deliver foundational Lean Six Sigma training (Yellow Belt, Green Belt) to site personnel.
• Identify, prioritize, and manage a portfolio of CI projects with measurable impact on safety, environmental performance, quality, cost, and productivity.
• Coach and mentor teams in Lean Six Sigma tools and problem-solving.
• Engage stakeholders to drive buy-in and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Track and report CI metrics and site performance improvements.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Problem solving

Change management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

Statistical tools

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Continuous Improvement Manager - Laurel Plant

Date: Jul 30, 2026

Company: Milliken and Company

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leaderwhose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. Fromindustry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products thatenhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn .

We are hiring a Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager for our Gainesville, FL plant. This role leads the implementation of Lean Six Sigma methods at a single chemical process facility. It is a key position responsible for driving operational excellence, nurturing a continuous improvement culture, and achieving measurable business outcomes. The CI Manager oversees the improvement projects, provides Lean Six Sigma training, and promotes a culture of ongoing enhancement while working with a network of CI professionals organization-wide. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, passionate about excellence, and eager to find and implement improvements that benefit the site and the Fine Chemicals division.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lean Six Sigma Deployment:
  Lead the implementation and sustainment of Lean Six Sigma initiatives at the site, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and best practices.
• Training & Capability Building:
  Work with corporate resources to deliver foundational Lean Six Sigma training (e.g., Yellow Belt, Green Belt) to site personnel.
• Improvement Portfolio Management:
  Identify, prioritize, and manage a portfolio of CI projects, ensuring timely delivery, effective resource allocation, and measurable impact on safety, environmental performance, quality, cost, and productivity. Actively run critical CI projects for the site.
• Coaching & Mentoring:
  Participates in project teams and coaches teams and individuals in Lean Six Sigma tools, problem-solving, and change management. Works with managers to develop CI talent within the site.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  Influence and engage stakeholders at the site to drive buy-in, overcome resistance, and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Performance Measurement:
  Track and report on CI metrics, project outcomes, and overall site performance improvements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education:Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience:5+ years in a chemical process or manufacturing environment, with a proven track record of leading CI initiatives.
• Technical Skills:
  • Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI methodologies.
  • Strong analytical and numerical skills; proficiency in data analysis and statistical tools.
• Leadership & Interpersonal Skills:
  • Exceptional influencing, coaching, and facilitation skills.
  • Ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Strong stakeholder management and conflict resolution abilities.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Change Management: Experience driving organizational change and fostering a CI culture.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Recognized as a high-potential employee with leadership aspirations.
• Experience in regulated environments (e.g., chemical, pharmaceutical, or food industries).
• Advanced problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Collaborative mindset with a passion for developing others.

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To request a reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].