Director, Continuous Improvement

API Delevan, Inc.; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k with match

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Regal Rexnord is seeking a Director of the Regal Rexnord Business System (RBS) to lead deployment, maturity and cultural adoption of continuous improvement programs across the Linear Motion Division. Reporting to the Division President, this role will drive policy deployment and CI capability while partnering with site leaders to deliver year-over-year performance improvements.

The position is remote-friendly with 50–75% travel domestically and internationally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field; Advanced degree preferred (MS Engineering, MBA).
• 8-10 years relevant work experience across Continuous Improvement, Business Systems, or Operations (global and/or multi-site experience preferred).
• Familiarity with Policy Deployment, its facilitation and implementation.
• Technical background in continuous improvement methodology and framework.
• Proven successful applications of multiple CI tools: 80/20, Lean Leadership, including Daily Management, KPI Leadership, Standard Work, Gemba Walks, Value Stream Mapping, 6S, Transactional Process Improvements, Kanban/replenishment systems, FMEA, Advanced Problem Solving, RCCMs.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate Kaizen-type events to produce measurable improvements (financial, service, quality, etc.).
• Skilled and experienced in decomposing a strategic vision into actionable strategies and tactics.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement leadership and standard work across manufacturing sites.
• Drive SQDCG and financial objectives through RBS tools and methodologies.
• Develop and drive divisional CI roadmap aligned to site plans.
• Coach and mentor CI leaders; lead multiple Kaizen events.
• Apply lean techniques to improve machine and labor productivity, lead times, quality, and capacity, linking improvements to financial outcomes.
• Lead HR aspects of CI talent development and build a bench of RBS champions.
• Oversee annual X-Matrix creation and deployment via RBS charters and action plans.

Skills

Continuous Improvement leadership

Lean leadership

Kaizen events

Problem solving

Strategic planning

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

MS Engineering

MBA

Job description

Work Model: This role can be performed remotely from an approved location, with flexibility based on business needs and applicable requirements.

Regal Rexnord Business System ("RBS") plays a pivotal role in driving organizational change and process improvement to achieve our business objectives. The Linear Motion Division ("LMD") within the AMC segment is seeking a Director of RBS. Reporting to the President of the Division, this position will drive the implementation, maturity, and cultural adoption of RBS and continuous process improvement across the division. This leadership position is focused on the deployment of RBS across the Division to drive both short and long-term goals and will partner closely with LMD’s leadership team, as well as the AMC RBS team. The right candidate will drive operational excellence, develop CI capability, and ensure alignment to strategic priorities through Policy Deployment. This leader influences across manufacturing sites, functional teams, and the broader AMC organization to deliver year-over-year performance improvement. As a key member of the AMC RBS Team, this role will impact results and culture by establishing standards, institutionalizing management systems and ensuring effective problem-solving skills (& tool capability) across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Continuous Improvement Leadership and Standard Work Champion the Lean philosophy and its deployment across all functions and manufacturing sites.
• Support the organization in achieving SQDCG and financial objectives through effective application of the RBS tools and methodologies to achieve continuous improvement.
• Develop and drive the divisional CI Roadmap and ensure alignment to site‑level plans.
• Lead, guide, and help create solutions for highly complex and multi‑faceted problems requiring ingenuity, creativity, innovation, and strong analytical skills.
• Problems are unique and require a thorough understanding of operating unit policies and practices.
• Apply knowledge of different techniques and practices to achieve desired results.
• Connect operational improvements (e.g., machine productivity, labor productivity, lead time/turnaround time, quality, backlog, capacity, OEE, etc.) to financial outcomes (Revenue/TVOS, Cost, Cash, Margin).
• Participate in the hiring, development and coaching of site continuous improvement leaders.
• Utilize a team‑oriented structured problem‑solving approach to analyze current conditions, diagnose problems, and identify improvement opportunities.

Capability and Talent Development

• Support Division and Site RBS leaders in maturing the Regal Rexnord Business System through the development of skills, capabilities, and engagement driving impact to the next level.
• Coach, mentor, and train Regal Rexnord associates on CI tools and Lean leadership.
• Develop RBS capability through formal training and “stop‑and‑teach” coaching at Gemba.
• Lead and coach multiple projects and Kaizen events simultaneously through both a hands‑on and influential approach.
• Engage and influence teams at all levels to drive momentum toward the future state.
• Identify, coach, and develop talent; build a strong bench of RBS tool champions across the division to leverage RBS Continuous Improvement tools and methodologies to support their professional advancement and improve the business's operational performance.

Policy Deployment

• Lead the creation of annual X‑Matrix and oversee the deployment plan via RBS charters, bowlers, and action plans.
• Manage charters, bowlers, action plans and monthly PD cadence.
• Support Division Annual Improvement Priorities through effective application of RBS tools and methodologies to support Policy Deployment initiatives.

Professional Experience / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field; Advanced degree preferred (MS Engineering, MBA) 8-10 years relevant work experience across Continuous Improvement, Business Systems, or Operations (global and/or multi‑site experience preferred).
• Familiarity with Policy Deployment, its facilitation and implementation.
• Technical background in continuous improvement methodology and framework.
• Proven successful applications of multiple CI tools: 80/20, Lean Leadership, including Daily Management, KPI Leadership, Standard Work, Gemba Walks, Value Stream Mapping, 6S, Transactional Process Improvements, Kanban/replenishment systems, FMEA, Advanced Problem Solving, RCCMs.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate Kaizen‑type events to produce measurable improvements (financial, service, quality, etc.).
• Skilled and experienced in decomposing a strategic vision into actionable strategies and tactics.
• Critical thinking skills to properly identify problem area & potential solutions.
• Demonstrate the Regal Rexnord Values; Integrity, Responsibility, Diversity, Engagement & Inclusion, Customer Success, Innovation with Purpose, Continuous Improvement, Performance, Passion to Win, and Sense of Urgency.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Must be able to travel at least 50‑75% of the time domestically and internationally as required.
• Preferred Qualifications Project and program management expertise (PMP, Prince II) Lean Six Sigma certification (e.g, Green Belt or Black Belt) Experience with High Mix / Low Volume and Low Mix / High Volume manufacturing.

Physical Demand and Work Environment

• Physical Demands – while performing the duties in this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit.
• Work Environment – the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Coverage
• Spending accounts (HSA, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA)
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• 401k Retirement Plan with Matching Employer Contributions
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Paid Leaves
• Tuition Assistance

Expected Salary

Expected salary: $160,000 - $190,000 annually. The salary range provided is intended to display the value of the company's base pay compensation for all statewide locations across the United States. Salary is dependent on a multitude of factors, including but not limited to the physical worksite location, candidate's skill set, level of experience, education, and internal peer compensation comparisons.

About Regal Rexnord

Regal Rexnord is a publicly held global industrial manufacturer with 30,000 associates around the world who help create a better tomorrow by providing sustainable solutions that power, transmit and control motion. The Company’s electric motors and air moving subsystems provide the power to create motion. A portfolio of highly engineered power transmission components and subsystems efficiently transmits motion to power industrial applications. The Company’s automation offering, comprised of controls, actuators, drives, and precision motors, controls motion in applications ranging from factory automation to precision control in surgical tools. The Company’s end markets benefit from meaningful secular demand tailwinds, and include factory automation, food & beverage, aerospace, medical, data center, warehouse, alternative energy, residential and commercial buildings, general industrial, construction, metals and mining, and agriculture. Regal Rexnord is comprised of three operating segments: Industrial Powertrain Solutions, Power Efficiency Solutions, and Automation & Motion Control. Regal Rexnord has offices and manufacturing, sales and service facilities worldwide. For more information, including a copy of our Sustainability Report, visit RegalRexnord.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Regal Rexnord is an Equal Opportunity and Affluent? All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, ancestry, national origin, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status (unless required by the applicable law or government contract), disability or protected veteran status or any other status or characteristic protected by law. Regal Rexnord is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are committed to building a team that represents diverse and inclusive backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. If you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan for protected veterans/individuals with disabilities or policy statement, please email [e-mail]. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail [e-mail].

Our Values

Our values frame our culture - a shared understanding of how we think and act relative to our key stakeholders. We center our behaviors, actions and decisions around the following values: Integrity Responsibility Diversity, Engagement & Inclusion Customer Success Innovation with Purpose Continuous Improvement Performance Passion to Win ….with a Sense of Urgency.