Continuous Improvement Specialist

IKO Industries; Ennis (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health plan

401(k) matching retirement

Job summary

IKO Industries Ltd. in Ennis, TX, is seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to drive operational excellence by coordinating and leading improvement initiatives that boost efficiency, quality, safety, and plant performance.

You will partner with Production, Quality, and Operations teams to implement sustainable processes, coach staff in Lean methods, and ensure projects deliver measurable results. This role offers growth in a market-leading manufacturing environment with competitive

Qualifications

• Minimum High School diploma or equivalent
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field – Preferred
• Minimum of three years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or continuous improvement – Preferred
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar methodologies – Preferred
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience showing initiative to identify and resolve problems
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work on feet or sit as needed
• Understand units of measure in standard, metric, PSI and temperature
• Ability to comprehend information presented verbally or in writing

Responsibilities

• Leading and facilitating continuous improvement initiatives and Kaizen events.
• Responsible for improvement project implementation and validation of results.
• Collaborating cross-functionally to identify improvement opportunities and eliminate waste.
• Evaluating systems and processes to seek out improvement and drive operational efficiency.
• Monitoring performance metrics and reporting progress to plant leadership.
• Investigating production issues through data analysis and root cause problem solving.
• Supporting process standardization and sustainability of improvements.
• Developing and delivering training materials to support continuous improvement efforts.
• Coaching employees on Lean principles, problem solving, and leadership development.
• Ensuring improvement initiatives align with safety, quality, and production goals.
• Managing change initiatives and coordinating implementation activities.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Problem-solving

Communication

Data analysis

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

IKO Industries Ltd. is a market leader in the manufacturing of roofing and building materials. IKO is a Canadian owned and operated business with production facilities worldwide and has many years of unparalleled success in the roofing materials industry. Quality, integrity, and trustworthiness are the values that underlie this success, and we have built this company by hiring people who hold these values. People like you!

Job Description

The Continuous Improvement Specialist is responsible for driving operational excellence by coordinating and leading continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, safety, and overall plant performance. This position works closely with Production, Quality, and Operations teams to implement sustainable process improvements and support a culture of continuous improvement. In our Ennis Plant, we produce commercial roofing products. This position will work closely with plant leadership and cross‑functional teams to support production needs and improvement initiatives.

Overview

Coordinates and leads activities related to continuous improvement, including event staffing, scheduling, coordinating, and planning. Oversees assigned continuous improvement projects. Works with personnel in performance of their project duties. Contributes to the development of training, coaching, and assessment plans according to the organization’s continuous improvement plan. Coaches personnel on continuous improvement and problem‑solving principles and leadership skills. Assures that best practices are utilized to drive results and that projects are completed on time.

Typical Functions

Performs regular assessments to ensure the correct application of methods, coaching, and knowledge sharing. Recommends new policies or procedures as necessary to improve processes or products. Contributes to the identification of new metrics for judging efficiency. Aids in the development of materials, tools, and presentations supporting continuous improvement initiatives. Trains, evaluates, and takes corrective action when situations dictate.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary
• Competitive health and benefit plan
• Competitive matched retirement savings program
• Opportunity to join a continuously growing organization with a focus on Diversity and Inclusion
• Opportunity to work with an industry leader in manufacturing

When you join us you will be:

• Leading and facilitating continuous improvement initiatives and Kaizen events.
• Responsible for improvement project implementation and validation of results.
• Collaborating cross‑functionally to identify improvement opportunities and eliminate waste.
• Evaluating systems and processes to seek out improvement and drive operational efficiency.
• Monitoring performance metrics and reporting progress to plant leadership.
• Investigating production issues through data analysis and root cause problem solving.
• Supporting process standardization and sustainability of improvements.
• Developing and delivering training materials to support continuous improvement efforts.
• Coaching employees on Lean principles, problem solving, and leadership development.
• Ensuring improvement initiatives align with safety, quality, and production goals.
• Managing change initiatives and coordinating implementation activities.

Qualifications

• Minimum High School diploma or equivalent – Required
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field – Preferred
• Minimum of three years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or continuous improvement – Preferred
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar methodologies – Preferred
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Experience showing initiative to identify and resolve problems
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), safety and values focused Leading by example with safety and safe work habits
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds minimum at a time
• Combination of prolonged periods working on feet or sitting at desk, using tools, and performing repetitive actions that entail frequent bending and stooping
• Good hand dexterity
• Visual acuity to read instructions, operate machines, and inspect parts produced
• Understand units of measure in standard, metric, PSI and temperature
• Comprehend information and ideas presented verbally or in writing
• Use effective time management to ensure that tasks and projects are completed within agreed time limits

Work Authorization

This position requires the legal ability to work in the United States.

Benefits of Employment

IKO recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. A primary goal of IKO is to promote each employee’s sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with IKO. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty and teamwork.

We are pleased to offer competitive compensation, health care, a progressive and challenging workplace, and a commitment to teamwork and integrity.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity Employment

IKO Industries Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and are pleased to consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability. IKO encourages and welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

IKO Industries Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and are pleased to consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. IKO encourages and welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

IKO Industries Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. IKO Industries Ltd. encourages and welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

IKO is a leading manufacturer of residential and commercial roofing systems operating in Canada, the United States and multiple global markets. Our 70+ years of success has been enabled by the dedication of our employees.