Continuous Improvement Manager, Northampton

Fuller Technologies; Northampton, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Fuller Technologies in Northampton, MA is seeking a hands-on Continuous Improvement Manager to build and embed our operating system across global manufacturing, sourcing, and procurement. Reporting to the COO, you will lead practical improvement efforts that strengthen safety, quality, delivery, cost, working capital, and productivity.

You will map value streams, remove barriers, standardize ways of working, and deliver measurable results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Industrial Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, procurement, or continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience leading Lean, operational excellence, or continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience with value stream mapping and translating findings into practical improvement actions.
• Experience working across manufacturing and supply chain functions; sourcing or procurement experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable improvements in cost, productivity, lead time, quality, inventory, or delivery performance.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred but not required; demonstrated application and results are more important than certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead value stream mapping to understand current-state processes, identify waste, constraints, handoffs, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop future-state value stream designs and actionable improvement roadmaps.
• Establish clear ownership, KPIs, operating rhythms, and accountability within each value stream.
• Help connect procurement, suppliers, manufacturing, inventory, logistics, and customer requirements into an integrated end-to-end operating model.
• Facilitate cross-functional value stream reviews and ensure actions remain on track.
• Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, lead time, inventory, and working capital.
• Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities based on business impact.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, problem-solving sessions, root-cause analysis, process mapping, and improvement workshops.
• Apply Lean methodologies including standard work, visual management, 5S, daily management, problem solving, flow, pull, and waste elimination.
• Build sustainable processes rather than one-time improvements by establishing standards, ownership, measurement, and follow-through.
• Partner with teams to simplify processes and eliminate unnecessary complexity.
• Partner with procurement and sourcing leadership to improve supplier, sourcing, and purchasing processes.
• Evaluate end-to-end procurement workflows and improve supplier lead times, delivery performance, responsiveness, cost, and quality.
• Identify opportunities to simplify purchasing processes, improve visibility, reduce cycle times, and strengthen accountability.
• Support supplier segmentation, performance management, and development initiatives where appropriate.
• Help connect sourcing and procurement priorities directly to manufacturing and value-stream requirements.
• Establish practical KPIs and visual management tools that allow teams to quickly understand performance and take action.
• Support daily, weekly, and monthly operating reviews with clear metrics, actions, owners, and deadlines.
• Develop dashboards and reporting for key operational improvement initiatives.
• Track benefits and ensure improvement projects deliver measurable operational and financial results.
• Escalate barriers and risks requiring leadership support.
• Help create a culture where teams use data to identify problems, solve root causes, and continuously improve performance.
• Coach leaders and employees in Lean thinking, structured problem solving, and continuous improvement practices.
• Build continuous improvement capability within the organization rather than creating dependency on the CI function.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams and influence change without relying solely on formal authority.
• Help establish common continuous improvement language, tools, and expectations across global operations.
• Recognize and share successful practices across locations and value streams.

Skills

Value stream mapping

Lean & CI

Kaizen events

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain

Job description

**Continuous Improvement Manager, Northampton***Where Growth Never Stops**At Fuller Technologies, momentum isn’t a slogan — it’s how we work. For over 140 years, we’ve improved the systems that keep the cement industry running: optimizing processes, reducing friction, and elevating performance. That mindset shapes not only our solutions — but how we operate as a company.**When you join Fuller, you’re joining a team that supports your growth and values your contribution. Here, colleagues collaborate openly, leaders give you room to develop, and the environment is built on trust, inclusion, and continuous learning. You’ll find the stability of a global organization and the agility of one that’s actively expanding — a place where your career can accelerate alongside the business.**If you want to move forward with a company that brings its people with it —**Fuller is where that happens.***About the role**Fuller Technologies is seeking a hands-on Continuous Improvement Manager to help build and embed our operating system across global manufacturing, sourcing, and procurement. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead practical improvement efforts that strengthen safety, quality, delivery, cost, working capital, and productivity.You’ll work closely with teams from the shop floor through supply chain and senior leadership to map value streams, remove barriers, standardize effective ways of working, and deliver measurable results. This is an opportunity for an operational leader who enjoys turning complex processes into clear, sustainable improvements—and helping teams build the discipline to maintain them.The position will be based out of our Manufacturing facility in the USA- Northampton**Your Responsibilities :****Value Stream Development*** Support the COO and operations leadership team in standing up and maturing value streams across manufacturing, sourcing, procurement, and supply chain.* Lead value stream mapping to understand current-state processes, identify waste, constraints, handoffs, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.* Develop future-state value stream designs and actionable improvement roadmaps.* Establish clear ownership, KPIs, operating rhythms, and accountability within each value stream.* Help connect procurement, suppliers, manufacturing, inventory, logistics, and customer requirements into an integrated end-to-end operating model.* Facilitate cross-functional value stream reviews and ensure actions remain on track.**Continuous Improvement*** Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, lead time, inventory, and working capital.* Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities based on business impact.* Facilitate Kaizen events, problem-solving sessions, root-cause analysis, process mapping, and improvement workshops.* Apply Lean methodologies including standard work, visual management, 5S, daily management, problem solving, flow, pull, and waste elimination.* Build sustainable processes rather than one-time improvements by establishing standards, ownership, measurement, and follow-through.* Partner with teams to simplify processes and eliminate unnecessary complexity.**Manufacturing & Operational Excellence*** Work directly with plant and operations leaders to improve manufacturing flow, productivity, throughput, capacity utilization, and schedule attainment.* Support development of standard work and consistent operating practices across manufacturing locations.* Identify bottlenecks and capacity constraints and develop improvement plans.* Support improvements in material flow, inventory management, production planning, and shop-floor execution.* Partner closely with HSEQ and operational leadership to ensure improvements reinforce safe and high-quality operations.**Sourcing & Procurement Improvement*** Partner with procurement and sourcing leadership to improve supplier, sourcing, and purchasing processes.* Evaluate end-to-end procurement workflows, including demand identification, sourcing, purchase orders, supplier performance, material availability, and inventory.* Help improve supplier lead times, delivery performance, responsiveness, cost, and quality.* Identify opportunities to simplify purchasing processes, improve visibility, reduce cycle times, and strengthen accountability.* Support supplier segmentation, performance management, and development initiatives where appropriate.* Help connect sourcing and procurement priorities directly to manufacturing and value-stream requirements.**Performance Management & Operating Rhythm*** Establish practical KPIs and visual management tools that allow teams to quickly understand performance and take action.* Support daily, weekly, and monthly operating reviews with clear metrics, actions, owners, and deadlines.* Develop dashboards and reporting for key operational improvement initiatives.* Track benefits and ensure improvement projects deliver measurable operational and financial results.* Escalate barriers and risks requiring leadership support.* Help create a culture where teams use data to identify problems, solve root causes, and continuously improve performance.**Change Leadership & Capability Building*** Coach leaders and employees in Lean thinking, structured problem solving, and continuous improvement practices.* Build continuous improvement capability within the organization rather than creating dependency on the CI function.* Facilitate cross-functional teams and influence change without relying solely on formal authority.* Help establish common continuous improvement language, tools, and expectations across global operations.* Recognize and share successful practices across locations and value streams.**You bring*** Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.* 7+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, procurement, or continuous improvement.* Demonstrated experience leading Lean, operational excellence, or continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.* Strong experience with value stream mapping and translating findings into practical improvement actions.* Experience working across manufacturing and supply chain functions; sourcing or procurement experience strongly preferred.* Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable improvements in cost, productivity, lead time, quality, inventory, or delivery performance.* Strong analytical and structured problem-solving capabilities.* Experience facilitating Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement initiatives.* Lean Six Sigma certification preferred but not required; demonstrated application and results are more important than certification.* Experience in an industrial, engineered-product, capital-equipment, or project-based manufacturing environment preferred.* Comfortable working in a global, matrixed, and rapidly evolving organization.*As an equal opportunity employer, Fuller Technologies embraces diversity and equality by promoting an environment of inclusion. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply irrespective of sex, gender identity/expression, disability, sexual orientation, or age. The more diverse our employees are, the stronger our team is.***Application and contact**Please apply by clicking “apply” on this page. Kindly note that we will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews - also on a virtual setting as required - on an ongoing basis so please apply as soon as possible.No recruiters and unsolicited agency referrals, please.