Continuous Improvement Specialist

Peterson Tractor Company; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Peterson Power Systems, Inc. seeks a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead a comprehensive CI program across Sales, Project Engineering, and Project Management. You will drive cross-functional projects from concept to execution, using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen to reduce waste and improve quality.

Travel up to 50% and maintain strong stakeholder collaboration are essential. The role requires a Bachelor’s in Business/Engineering/Operations and 7+ years in Sales/PM, with Master’s preferred

Qualifications

• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen and other continuous improvement tools.
• Lead, motivate, and influence teams, promote accountability, and drive adoption of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to align improvement efforts with business objectives and customer needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy aligned with goals.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects from concept through execution.
• Use Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen and root cause analysis to reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance performance.
• Establish objectives, metrics, and KPIs to monitor progress and report outcomes to leadership.
• Analyze business performance data to identify opportunities for process improvement and cost reduction.
• Partner with managers, employees, suppliers, and stakeholders to identify gaps and align best practices.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, standards, and workflows to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Facilitate change management by communicating changes and training teams.
• Develop and deliver training programs to build internal CI capabilities.
• Promote employee engagement by encouraging problem identification and solution implementation.
• Assist managers in monitoring performance across Sales, Project Engineering, and Project Management teams.
• Coordinate implementation of new processes across departments to ensure adoption.
• Travel away from base location up to 50% of the time.
• Maintain regular, punctual, and predictable attendance.

Skills

Lean

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Continuous improvement

Change management

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

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or re‑assign the functions to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Job functions include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• 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.