Continuous Improvement - Project Leader

IEWC; New Berlin (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Global exposure

Job summary

IEWC in Wisconsin is seeking a senior Lean Transformation Leader to drive enterprise-wide continuous improvement across global manufacturing, distribution, and transactional operations. You will leverage analytics and lean methods to deliver safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements while standardizing practices and coaching leaders across sites.

This employee-owner role requires change management, cross-functional leadership, and hands-on execution on multi-site programs to sustain

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 5–7+ years leading lean/CI in global manufacturing/distribution.
• Proven track record of large-scale transformation & cost savings.
• Expertise in lean methodologies: Kaizen, VSM, 5S, PDCA, DMAIC, Standard Work.
• Certifications preferred (Lean, Six Sigma, PM).
• Extensive global operations experience across multi-site environments.
• Strong data analytics and performance measurement background.
• ERP SAP experience; proficient in MS Office and data visualization.
• Experience in project/program management, layout design, and material flow.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide lean transformation initiatives across global sites.
• Facilitate kaizen events, workshops, and problem-solving sessions.
• Establish and sustain global KPIs, tiered management, and visual controls.
• Drive data-informed decision-making through analytics and trending.
• Lead root-cause analysis to eliminate waste and improve capability.
• Oversee SOP development aligned with safety, quality, and excellence.
• Support global expansion, start-ups, and CI deployment.
• Develop and deliver global lean training programs.
• Conduct CI maturity assessments and benchmarking.
• Lead cross-functional teams on high-impact projects including capital investments.

Skills

Lean transformation

Cross-functional leadership

Data analytics

Kaizen facilitation

Value stream mapping

Project management

ERP SAP

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office 365

Data visualization tools

Job description

Shape your future at IEWC! As an employee-owner, you will be a valued team member, contributing to something bigger and gaining skills that will set your career up for hypergrowth!

This position is responsible for leading and scaling enterprise-wide lean transformation initiatives across global manufacturing, distribution, and transactional operations. This role leverages advanced analytics, business intelligence, and lean methodologies to drive sustainable operational excellence, cost optimization, and cultural change. This individual will establish continuous improvement frameworks, standardize best practices across regions, and deliver measurable performance improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. The role requires expertise in lean principles, change management, and cross-functional leadership in complex, global environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate enterprise-level lean transformation initiatives, including value stream optimization across manufacturing, distribution, and administrative functions.
• Champion and lead advanced kaizen events, workshops, and problem-solving sessions across multiple sites and regions.
• Establish, standardize, and sustain global KPIs, tiered management systems, and visual performance management frameworks.
• Drive data-informed decision-making through analytics, statistics, and performance trending.
• Drive A3 problem solving and root cause analysis to eliminate systemic inefficiencies, reduce waste, and improve process capability.
• Oversee the development, standardization, and continuous improvement of SOPs, ensuring alignment with safety, quality, and operational excellence standards.
• Support new business integration, facility start-ups, and global expansion initiatives through CI deployment and operational readiness.
• Develop and implement global training programs to build lean capability, including coaching leaders and mentoring CI practitioners.
• Conduct CI maturity assessments, audits, and benchmarking across sites to ensure consistency and continuous progression.
• Lead cross-functional and cross-regional teams to execute high-impact projects, including capital investments and process transformation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, safety, and quality standards across all operational processes.
• Collaborate across global sites to identify, validate, and scale cost-saving and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Responsibilities may evolve to meet business needs, including expanded global scope and strategic program ownership.
• The above represents the essential job functions that you are assigned to perform in your job. If you are unable to perform these essential duties, please see Human Resources as IEWC may be able to provide reasonable accommodation against the ADA requirements.

The values, competencies, technical skills and physical demands enumerated below are representative of those required to successfully fulfill the Key Responsibilities of the position.

VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

• Acts as a change agent, fostering a lean mindset and influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Builds high-performing, collaborative teams across global locations and functions.
• Exhibits resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrates strong alignment with IEWC’s vision, values, and purpose while driving a culture of continuous improvement.

Technical Skills

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7+ years of experience leading lean/continuous improvement initiatives in a global manufacturing and/or distribution environment.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale transformation programs and measurable cost savings.
• Expertise in lean methodologies (ex. Kaizen Event Facilitation, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, 8 Wastes, PDCA, DMAIC Problem Solving, Standard Work, One Piece Flow, Setup Reduction, TPM, Daily Management System).
• Certifications preferred (ex. Lean, Six Sigma, Project Management).
• Extensive experience with global operations, including multi-site coordination and cultural change management.
• Strong background in data analytics and performance measurement systems.
• Experience with ERP systems (prefer SAP) and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and data visualization tools.
• Demonstrated experience in project/program management, facility layout/design, and material flow optimization.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for all organizational levels.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives with minimal supervision in a dynamic environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work Environment: May involve exposure to typical industrial environments including noise, equipment, and varying temperatures. Ability to work in both office and operational environments, including manufacturing plants and distribution centers. Ability to stand, walk, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds as needed.
• Travel: Occasional travel (domestic and international) required to support global initiatives.
• The above represents the essential job functions that you are assigned to perform in your job. If you are unable to perform these essential duties, please see Human Resources as IEWC may be able to provide reasonable accommodations against the ADA requirements.