Continuous Improvement Specialist

Stuller, Inc.; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Stuller, Inc. in Lafayette, LA is seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to drive lean initiatives and build organizational capability. This hands-on role partners with leaders and frontline teams to map processes, run kaizen events, deliver training, and sustain gains through standard work and daily management.

The ideal candidate has a degree in business/engineering or 5+ years of continuous improvement experience and strong facilitation and coaching skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field, or 5+ years in continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to understand, design, and deliver process improvement solutions.
• Strong facilitation and coaching skills, with experience leading training workshops and engaging cross-functional teams.
• Solid knowledge of lean tools (5S, value stream mapping, DMAIC Thinking, PDCA, standard work, visual management).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to influence without authority.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and project planning capabilities.
• Change Leadership: ability to inspire and guide individuals and teams through change.
• Training Expertise: skilled at creating engaging, practical learning experiences.
• Collaboration: works effectively across functions and levels to achieve results.
• Sustainability Mindset: ensures improvements are standardized and embedded into daily routines.
• Continuous Learning: remains current on lean and industry best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support lean initiatives to level workflows, improve quality, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and strengthen safe work practices.
• Facilitate value stream mapping, kaizen events, root cause analysis, and problem-solving workshops.
• Lead, support, and participate in improvement events (i.e. 5S, departments, moves, etc.).
• Partner with operational leaders and frontline teams to embed lean principles into daily and hourly routines, standard work, and performance metrics.
• Track and report improvement progress, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by engaging employees at all levels in identifying and solving problems, through structured change events.
• Lead and support lean initiatives to level workflows, improve quality, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and strengthen safe work practices.
• Assess organizational training needs related to lean management, process adherence, and standard work.
• Develop, deliver, and continuously update training programs related to lean concepts, improvement tools, operational leadership development, and daily management routines.
• Coach leaders and teams on lean leadership behaviors, hourly and visual management, and problem-solving techniques.
• Support and participate in workshops for upskilling initiatives to ensure employee roles accurately match and sustain Kaizen improvements.
• Create accessible learning materials (manuals, job aids, e-learning, simulations) tailored to different audiences.

Skills

Lean management

Facilitation

Coaching

Training workshops

Cross-functional teams

DMAIC Thinking

PDCA

Visual management

Project planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field

Tools

5S

Value stream mapping

DMAIC Thinking

PDCA

Standard work

Visual management

Job description

Brief Description

Join our Manufacturing team — production, assembly, operation of equipment, and more — and help us deliver an unmatched selection of products made with quality materials and workmanship. The Continuous Improvement Specialist will play a key role in driving a culture of operational excellence through lean management principles. This role combines hands-on process improvement execution, employee and management coaching, and the development and delivery of training programs to build organizational capabilities. The Specialist will work closely with operational leaders, cross-functional teams, and frontline employees to identify opportunities, design processes, implement improvements, and ensure sustained results through standards, layered process audits, effective training, and daily management practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support lean initiatives to level workflows, improve quality, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and strengthen safe work practices.
• Facilitate value stream mapping, kaizen events, root cause analysis, and problem-solving workshops.
• Lead, support, and participate in improvement events (i.e. 5S, departments, moves, etc.).
• Partner with operational leaders and frontline teams to embed lean principles into daily and hourly routines, standard work, and performance metrics.
• Track and report improvement progress, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by engaging employees at all levels in identifying and solving problems, through structured change events.
• Lead and support lean initiatives to level workflows, improve quality, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and strengthen safe work practices.
• Assess organizational training needs related to lean management, process adherence, and standard work.
• Develop, deliver, and continuously update training programs related to lean concepts, improvement tools, operational leadership development, and daily management routines.
• Coach leaders and teams on lean leadership behaviors, hourly and visual management, and problem-solving techniques.
• Support and participate in workshops for upskilling initiatives to ensure employee roles accurately match and sustain Kaizen improvements.
• Create accessible learning materials (manuals, job aids, e-learning, simulations) tailored to different audiences.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field. Or, 5+ years of experience in continuous improvement, lean management, or operational excellence.
• Proven ability to understand, design, and deliver process improvement solutions.
• Strong facilitation and coaching skills, with experience leading training workshops and engaging cross-functional teams.
• Solid knowledge of lean tools (5S, value stream mapping, DMAIC Thinking, PDCA, standard work, visual management).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to influence without authority.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and project planning capabilities.
• Change Leadership: Ability to inspire and guide individuals and teams through change.
• Training Expertise: Skilled at creating engaging, practical learning experiences.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across functions and levels to achieve results.
• Sustainability Mindset: Ensures improvements are standardized and embedded into daily routines.
• Continuous Learning: Remains current on lean and industry best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in Lean or Six Sigma (Green Belt or above)

Summary

Stuller is the jewelry industry's largest manufacturer, supplier, and technology developer in North America. With a customer base spanning the globe, we serve jewelry professionals through an unmatched selection of quality products, expert and friendly service, and the fastest delivery. We are powered by our employees, their creativity, their energy, and their commitment to creating exceptional experiences. We are committed to our employees' comprehensive health and happiness. Our award-winning wellness initiatives and benefits help Stuller to stand out as one of the top employers in Louisiana. Learn more about our benefits by clicking here.