Director Continuous Improvement

Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems Americas; Pageland (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

Generous paid time off

Competitive full-suite benefits package

Bonus component based on performance

Job summary

A leading flow control technology company is seeking a Director of Continuous Improvement in Pageland, SC. This role involves leading lean initiatives, managing productivity projects, and providing support for operational excellence across the team. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in Lean methodologies, with expertise in project management and strong analytical skills. The position requires onsite work Monday through Friday with regular travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required for the role.
• 8+ years in Lean Manufacturing, especially in automotive.
• Experience in purchasing, program management, manufacturing or supply chain management.

Responsibilities

• Manage CI strategies across the organization.
• Support Plant/Site Managers in Lean tool application.
• Ensure compliance with lean deployment in projects.
• Ensure lean deployment plans align with group directives.
• Lead annual productivity reviews and report progress.

Skills

Lean methodologies

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or industrial engineering

Tools

Lean software tools

PowerPoint

Excel

AutoCAD

Job description

Pageland - Pearl Street, 1418 S Pearl Street, Pageland, SC 29278, USA

At Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems, we have the best, most complete flow control device and connection technology portfolio in the industry. Our goal is to make it an easier and better buying experience by being the only organization that offers a complete line of flow control devices and piping systems solutions.

The Community You Will Join

At Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems, we recognize the importance of providing our employees with a good work environment, exceptional leadership, and an excellent benefits package.

The Impact You Will Make

Reporting directly to the Chief Operations Officer, the Director of Continuous Improvement acts as a role model and serves as a champion for successful and sustained lean implementation, APS and CI processes in the region or division. This position requires a leader who is in charge of managing the regional or business group CI network to improve the manufacturing efficiency of the sites (Safety, Scrap, Delivery, Direct labor productivity, OEE, and other cost), deploy the Group CI and business group operation strategies and initiatives, and support the site team in continuous improvement activities. In addition, ensure follow-up of all productivity projects at the business group in the areas and support the business strategies like footprint, P‑30 (improve 30% productivity plan), etc.

A Typical Day

• Work closely with regional COO or business group COO to build the CI network according to the operation strategy.
• Support the Plant / Site Managers, APU Managers and Plant / Site CI Managers to understand the CI strategies and apply the Lean tools.
• Support the production supervisors to understand the importance of the standards and their improvement role.
• Ensure that Plant / Site CI Managers network is permanently fulfilled at right level for success.
• Manage the Plant / Site CI Managers network of the region or division: annual professional competences appraisal, contribution & validation to recruitment, definition of training plan, validation of lean skill development and manage detection/growing of local production system potentials. Organize network meeting and On Job Training.
• Organize the cross‑fertilization of good practices within the region or division.
• Ensure that lean rules are taken into account in new projects at right time.
• Validate the Sites lean deployment plan vs Group directives & instructions, and Sites Priorities, including Smart factory/Industrial 4.0, and support their deployment.
• Help the Plant / Site Managers identify opportunities for SQDICP progress.
• Deploy and follow Group initiatives within his/her region or division.
• Check through a regular presence on every Site of his region or division that Sites are working on appropriate priorities.
• Coach Plant / Site Managers: Plant, Production, APU, CI, Production & Supply Chain support functions on lean processes implementation.
• Check regularly Gemba in depth the proper deployment of lean roadmaps and ensure a close follow‑up of progress plans.
• Challenge the plants’ budget & related financial indicators of sites in budget preparation phase.
• Validate, challenge & follow Direct Labor and equipment operational performance improvement actions.
• Ensure a lean reporting.
• Contribute to the improvement of Group Lean standards & tools.
• Support industrial 4.0 / smart factory implementation.
• Participate to Group Kaizen workshops, Committees & townhall.
• Contribute in selected Group initiatives upon request.
• Troubleshooting and help building progress roadmaps for sites when in crisis.
• Review key productivities at business group and level support teams to define the best implementation strategy.
• Review key productivities at business group level to assess applicability of ideas transversally at other sites in order to coordinate validation and globalize project efforts.
• Ensure sites are managing payback of any productivity project being managed.
• Support workshops in the sites and at suppliers to improve savings portfolio.
• Continuously monitor TOP 10 productivities in the sites.
• Prepare & organize monthly productivity review meeting.
• Support teams to remove roadblocks on key projects to meet productivity project milestones.
• Encourage the search for new ideas, collect and pass them on to groups responsible for processing them.
• Benchmark permanently the products and best internal / external industrial practices and deploy to all sites.
• Assess applicability of key projects in all sites within the business group.
• Coach and guide the project managers to organize cost improvement workshops. Cost reduction ideas need to include all areas; material, direct labor, packaging, transportation, etc. Focus on the top worst projects of each site.

Your Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or industrial engineering.
• Lean Manufacture in car automotive for > 8 years.
• Strong background experience in purchasing, program management, manufacturing and /or supply chain management.
• American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) preferred.

Targeted Attributes

• 10+ years in Lean methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, Muda hunting, Standard Work, Cycle time balance with automation design, SMED, TPM, Value Stream Mapping, and Lean product line design, plant layout and logistic warehouse layout optimization, Design for 6 sigma.
• Experience developing and improving lean training, tools and methods.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with a data‑driven approach to decision‑making.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and influence operation teams at all levels.
• Change management expertise, with the ability to manage resistance and drive cultural transformation.
• Proficiency in using Lean software tools and technologies for process mapping, data analysis, and reporting (PowerPoint, Excel, AutoCAD).
• Strong international mindset and a good ability to interact with all levels of the organization. Be able to lead and continuously motivate teams to push and achieve savings.

Your Location

This position is onsite Monday through Friday with regular travel between Pageland and Conway plant locations.

Our Commitment to All

Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to treating all applicants fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

How We Take Care of You

The salaried rate for this role is fair and decided upon based on experience and proven skills alignment through our interview process. This role includes a bonus component. This role will observe our company’s 12 paid holidays, generous paid time off, and a competitive full‑suite benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.