Continuous Improvement Specialist

Goodwin Recruiting; Lansing (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive bonus

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

11 paid holidays plus PTO

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting seeks an experienced Continuous Improvement Specialist to drive manufacturing operational improvements. This role partners with production, quality, engineering and leadership to raise safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance across the site.

The candidate will lead Lean initiatives, analyze KPIs, and mentor cross-functional teams to implement durable changes. A Bachelor's in a technical field and 10+ years in manufacturing are preferred.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of manufacturing experience
• Bachelor's degree in a technical field preferred or equivalent experience
• Proven success leading continuous improvement or process improvement projects
• Hands-on experience with Lean manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and root cause analysis
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949
• Strong analytical skills using data and KPIs to drive decisions
• Strong project management, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Lean/Six Sigma training or certification and SAP experience are a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects focused on productivity, quality, cost reduction, workflow, and operational efficiency
• Drive 5S, Kaizen, Lean, and structured problem-solving initiatives across manufacturing operations
• Analyze production data, KPIs, and process variation to identify improvement opportunities and root causes
• Develop and track performance metrics and measure results before and after improvements are implemented
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing processes and quality systems
• Lead projects from problem identification through implementation and sustained results
• Present findings, project results, and recommendations to leadership

Skills

Lean manufacturing

5S

Kaizen

Root cause analysis

Data-driven decision making

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Tools

SAP

ISO 9001 knowledge

IATF 16949 knowledge

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Continuous Improvement Specialist to drive operational improvements within a manufacturing environment. This role will partner across production, quality, engineering, and leadership to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and overall performance.

Continuous Improvement Specialist

Compensation & Benefits

• $80,000–$95,000 base salary
• Annual incentive bonus and merit increase opportunities
• Comprehensive health and welfare benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• 11 paid holidays plus PTO
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Employee recognition programs and company events

Continuous Improvement Specialist Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects focused on productivity, quality, cost reduction, workflow, and operational efficiency
• Drive 5S, Kaizen, Lean, and structured problem-solving initiatives across manufacturing operations
• Analyze production data, KPIs, and process variation to identify improvement opportunities and root causes
• Develop and track performance metrics and measure results before and after improvements are implemented
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing processes and quality systems
• Lead projects from problem identification through implementation and sustained results
• Present findings, project results, and recommendations to leadership

Continuous Improvement Specialist Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant manufacturing experience
• Bachelor's degree in a technical field preferred or equivalent experience
• Proven success leading continuous improvement or process improvement projects
• Hands-on experience with Lean manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and root cause analysis
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949
• Strong analytical skills and experience using data and KPIs to drive decisions
• Strong project management, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Lean/Six Sigma training or certification and SAP experience are a plus