Director, Continuous Improvement

Apogee Enterprises Inc; Owatonna (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Benefits

401(k) with match

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Apogee Enterprises, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, seeks a Director of Continuous Improvement to lead the AMS across manufacturing sites, delivering safety, quality, productivity, and cost improvements. The role partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and HR to identify gaps and execute strategic initiatives.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in manufacturing, expertise in Lean, Kaizen, DMAIC, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field.
• 10+ years in manufacturing/industrial operations with proven CI impact.
• Strong knowledge of Lean and operational excellence methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment and sustainment of the Apogee Management System (AMS) across facilities.
• Drive safety, quality, throughput, and cost improvements via structured problem solving.
• Coach leaders and engineers in standard work and improvement methods.
• Prioritize initiatives with site leadership and track business impact.
• Lead change management to embed improvements in daily operations.
• Travel up to ~30% with site visits and project-based relocation.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Kaizen

PDCA

DMAIC

Team leadership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Automation technologies

AI-enabled analytics

Machine data collection

Job description

Viracon LLC

Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOG) is a leading provider of architectural building products and services, as well as high-performance coated materials used in a variety of applications. Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, our portfolio of industry-leading products and services includes architectural glass, windows, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems, integrated project management and installation services, and high-performance coatings that provide protection, innovative design, and enhanced performance. To learn more about our company and brands, visit www.apog.com.

On July 1, 2026, Apogee completed the acquisition of Kalwall Enterprises, a vertically integrated manufacturer of high-performance translucent daylighting solutions, based in Manchester, New Hampshire. Kalwall Enterprises is currently being integrated into the Architectural Glass segment in Apogee. This position is based in Minnesota, with time spent at Viracon in Owatonna, MN and will be expected to travel to Kalwall Enterprises in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Position Summary

The Director of Continuous Improvement (CI) is responsible for leading the deployment and sustainment of the Apogee Management System (AMS) across manufacturing operations. This role drives measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost through operational excellence, structured problem solving, and engineering-based solutions.

Partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Safety, and HR, the Director will identify performance gaps, prioritize improvement initiatives, and build a culture of continuous improvement across manufacturing sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead implementation and sustainment of the Apogee Management System (AMS) across manufacturing facilities.
• Drive operational performance improvements in safety, quality, productivity, throughput, scrap reduction, and cost.
• Coach and develop leaders, engineers, and operators in continuous improvement practices, standard work, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Partner with plant leadership to identify, prioritize, and execute strategic improvement initiatives aligned with business objectives.
• Utilize Lean and operational excellence tools including Kaizen, A3, PDCA, DMAIC, TPM, SMED, flow optimization, standard work, and visual management.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead change management efforts to ensure solutions are adopted, sustained, and embedded into daily operations.
• Track and communicate performance results, cost savings, and business impact of improvement initiatives.
• Develop and build a high-performing, promotable Continuous Improvement team.

Technical Leadership

• Provide expertise in manufacturing technologies, including automation, machine data collection, and AI-enabled solutions.
• Lead efforts to improve process capability, yield, machine utilization, throughput, and scrap reduction.
• Support new product introductions, equipment selection, and capital investment projects.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree required, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field is preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing or industrial operations with demonstrated success improving operational performance.
• Proven track record implementing and sustaining continuous improvement and operational excellence programs.
• Experience leading cultural transformation and continuous improvement initiatives across multiple levels of an organization.
• Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and operational excellence methodologies.
• Demonstrated success leading Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement projects from concept through sustained results.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to drive results across all organizational levels.
• Data-driven decision-making and analytical problem-solving capabilities.
• Effective coaching, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Results-oriented mindset with a strong commitment to accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.

Travel & Work Environment

• Frequent presence in manufacturing environments.
• Travel up to approximately 30%, including overnight travel averaging one week per month based on project and business needs.
• Ability to work in both office and production settings and lift up to 10 pounds.

Salary Range

• $150,000 - $190,000

Our Benefits

• Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
• Incentive Plans
• 401(k) with employer contribution and match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program
• Training and Career Progression

Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.