Continuous Improvement Specialist

Scot Forge; Spring Grove (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Onsite

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Profit Sharing

401K Plan with match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Scot Forge is seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to accelerate our Lean journey by partnering with employee-owners across the business. This hands-on role focuses on solving problems, eliminating waste, and driving measurable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Equipment Reliability.

You’ll lead Kaizen events, coach teams in structured problem-solving, deploy Lean principles, and build organizational capability that endures beyond individual projects.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, engineering, quality, or related environment.
• Lean certification and/or Six Sigma Green Belt preferred.
• Strong analytical, project management, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Servant leadership mindset with ability to influence and build engagement across teams without direct authority.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred; must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
• Coach teams in structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and Lean methodologies.
• Deploy and sustain Lean manufacturing principles, daily management systems, and standard work.
• Drive improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Equipment Reliability through waste elimination.
• Measure, track, and communicate improvement results while building organizational capability.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, rapid improvement workshops, and cross-functional improvement projects.
• Lead teams through structured problem-solving methods including A3, 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone Analysis, and Pareto Analysis.
• Support daily management systems through KPI development, visual management, tier meetings, leader standard work, and performance tracking.
• Conduct Gemba walks, value stream mapping, and data analysis to identify priorities and implement sustainable improvements.
• Train and coach employee-owners on Lean principles and operational excellence tools including 5S, TPM, SMED, and Visual Factory.

Skills

Lean methodologies

Structured problem-solving

Facilitation

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

A3

8D

5 Whys

Fishbone Analysis

Pareto Analysis

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Salary Range: $60,000.00 To $80,000.00 Annually

Build capability. Remove barriers. Drive improvement.

At Scot Forge, we manufacture high-performance forged components for some of the most demanding industries in the world. With more than 130 years of success, continued growth, and 100% employee ownership, we believe our people are the foundation of operational excellence.

We're seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to help accelerate our Lean journey by partnering with employee-owners across the business to solve problems, eliminate waste, and improve performance. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys working with people, facilitating change, and turning ideas into measurable results.

There are openings at our manufacturing locations in Spring Grove, IL and Clinton, WI.

Why This Role

Continuous improvement at Scot Forge is not a corporate initiative that’s managed from behind a desk. It’s a team effort built on collaboration, servant leadership, and employee ownership.

As a Continuous Improvement Specialist, you’ll partner with operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to identify opportunities, solve problems, and implement sustainable improvements. Success in this role means developing the capability of others so teams can continuously improve long after individual projects are complete.

What You’ll Own

• Lead Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
• Coach teams in structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and Lean methodologies.
• Deploy and sustain Lean manufacturing principles, daily management systems, and standard work.
• Drive improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Equipment Reliability through waste elimination.
• Measure, track, and communicate improvement results while building organizational capability.

What You’ll Do

• Facilitate Kaizen events, rapid improvement workshops, and cross-functional improvement projects.
• Lead teams through structured problem-solving methods including A3, 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone Analysis, and Pareto Analysis.
• Support daily management systems through KPI development, visual management, tier meetings, leader standard work, and performance tracking.
• Conduct Gemba walks, value stream mapping, and data analysis to identify priorities and implement sustainable improvements.
• Train and coach employee-owners on Lean principles and operational excellence tools including 5S, TPM, SMED, and Visual Factory.

What We’re Looking For

• 3-7 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, engineering, quality, continuous improvement, or a related environment.
• Proven success participating in or facilitating Lean initiatives, Kaizen events, and structured problem-solving activities; Lean certification and/or Six Sigma Green Belt preferred.
• Strong analytical, project management, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills with the ability to translate data into actionable improvements.
• Servant leadership mindset with the ability to influence and build engagement across teams without direct authority.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred; must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship and able to pass a 90-day head hair drug test.

Why Scot Forge

• 100% employee-owned company with a long history of stability and growth
• Industry leader serving critical and demanding markets
• Opportunity to drive meaningful operational improvements across the business
• Collaborative culture that values servant leadership and continuous learning
• Nationally recognized commitment to safety and employee engagement
• A place where people build careers, not just resumes

Additional Information

• 100% Onsite
• Multiple Positions open at all three Scot Forge Manufacturing Plants - Spring Grove IL, Clinton WI, Franklin Park IL

Compensation

The estimated pay range is the lowest and highest amount we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We ultimately may pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. The actual base pay offered to a candidate will depend on various factors including but not limited to relevant skills, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, seniority, geographic location and prevailing minimum wage, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for eligible employees including Medical, Vision, Dental, Hearing, Life (Basic & AD&D), Disability (STD & LTD), 401K Plan with match, Profit Sharing, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Tax Savings (FSA & HSA), Vacation Time, Paid Time Off, and Paid Holidays.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, or any other form of compensation for any particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Scot Forge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome all qualified candidates to apply.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.