Continuous Improvement Specialist

Peterson Cat; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Peterson Power Systems, Inc. seeks a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead cross-functional improvement programs across sales, engineering and project management. You will apply Lean, Six Sigma and Kaizen methodologies to reduce waste, improve quality and enhance performance. Travel up to 50% is required to sites and customers.

The role emphasizes training, change management, and developing scalable processes that sustain long-term improvements within a family-owned company.

Qualifications

• Mastery of Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen and continuous improvement methods.
• Ability to lead cross-functional improvement projects and drive measurable impact.
• Experience in establishing metrics, KPIs and reporting to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy aligned to business goals.
• Lead cross-functional projects from concept to execution with timely delivery.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen and root-cause analysis to reduce waste and improve quality.
• Set objectives, metrics, and KPIs to monitor progress and report outcomes to leadership.
• Analyze performance data to identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement.
• Collaborate with managers, employees, suppliers, and stakeholders to close process gaps.
• Develop and implement policies and workflows that improve efficiency and consistency.
• Facilitate change management through training and communication of new processes.
• Build internal CI capabilities through training programs for sustainable improvements.
• Encourage employee engagement in identifying problems and solutions.
• Monitor Sales, Project Engineering and Project Management performance and support improvement actions.
• Coordinate rollout of new processes across departments to ensure adoption.
• Travel up to 50% to job sites, customers, and Peterson locations.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Kaizen

Process mapping

Performance metrics

Change leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Engineering/Operations Management

Master's degree (desirable)

Job description

It’s your time, make it matter.

At Peterson, we partner with our customers to build the future. For over 90 years, our peoples’ work has shaped the communities where we live, where we raise our families, and where we thrive. Peterson’s legacy permeates every aspect of our communities. From roads and bridges, back‑up power at hospitals, fire‑fighting, concerts and moving goods; we are everywhere you look. At Peterson, you don’t just have a career, you have a purpose.

Our family‑oriented environment is built on safety, winning, growth, and professional achievement. Hiring and developing exceptional people is critical to our continued success. We have high standards for a good reason: our people represent Peterson, our family, our brand, and our values.

You have high expectations too. You are exceptionally motivated, have outstanding skills, and want your work to matter. Peterson offers competitive wages, generous benefits, and promotional opportunities at a family‑owned and operated business. It’s time to use your skills and passion to do work that matters!

Job Description

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy that supports the Mission Critical Sales Team’s business goals and Peterson’s core values.
• Lead cross‑functional improvement projects from concept through execution, ensuring initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and with measurable impact.
• Use Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, root cause analysis, and other improvement methodologies to streamline processes, reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance operational performance.
• Establish clear objectives, metrics, and key performance indicators to monitor improvement initiative progress, evaluate results, and report outcomes to leadership.
• Analyze business performance data to identify opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction, quality enhancement, and customer service improvements.
• Partner with managers, employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders to identify process gaps, implement best practices, and ensure alignment across departments.
• Recommend and assist with the development and implementation of policies, procedures, standards, and workflows that improve efficiency and consistency.
• Facilitate change management efforts by communicating process changes, training team members, and helping teams adopt new ways of working.
• Develop and deliver training programs that build internal continuous improvement capabilities and support long‑term sustainability.
• Promote employee engagement by encouraging team members to identify problems, recommend solutions, and participate in improvement initiatives.
• Assist managers in monitoring performance of Sales, Project Engineering, and Project Management teams, identifying training needs, and supporting improvement action when necessary to uphold company standards.
• Coordinate implementation of new processes across departments or work groups to ensure improvements are successfully adopted throughout the organization.
• Travel away from base location up to 50% of the time to visit job sites, attend customer and vendor meetings, and attend meetings at Peterson locations.
• Maintain regular, punctual, and predictable attendance.

JOB SCOPE

This position serves in the capacity of the Continuous Improvement Specialist. General discretion and judgment is exercised routinely in the execution of job duties. If errors in judgement or professional execution of responsibilities are made, the consequences to the business unit can be severe.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS

Internal contacts consist of various levels of positions in the company from business unit leaders to entry level positions. The position regularly exchanges information in person, in writing, via telephone or by electronic transfer. The position regularly deals with confidential information including but not limited to company initiatives, services, and product costs. Sensitivity is required in dealing with such information and decisions concerning the release or sharing of that information. External contacts may consist of lawyers, government and/or regulatory representatives, customers, visitors, manufacturer representatives, vendors, and consultants.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, safely and in alignment with Peterson’s core values. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to apply Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, continuous improvement tools, process mapping, performance metrics, and waste reduction methods.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and influence teams, build support for change, promote accountability, and drive adoption of continuous improvement initiatives without direct authority.
• Ability to communicate collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to align improvement efforts with business objectives and customer needs.

EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or another closely related field; and a minimum of seven (7) years of combined Sales and Project Management experience, preferably in the Electric Power Generation, Marine Propulsion, Engineered Products, or other directly related industry; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Must have experience leading continuous improvement initiatives that align with strategic efforts and produce measurable business results.
• Must have experience developing and implementing process improvements, standards, policies, procedures, or training programs.
• Experience selling generators, chillers, switchgears, and/or related equipment preferred.
• Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or another closely related field is desirable and may substitute for up to 2 years of related work experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.

Peterson Power Systems, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. Minorities, females, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. A drug screen and background check is required.