Director, Continuous Improvement

Tops Products; Union (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Tops Products is seeking a Director of Continuous Improvement to drive enterprise-wide operational excellence. You will design, deploy, and oversee strategies that reduce waste, improve process reliability, and elevate customer satisfaction.

The role connects strategic vision with hands-on execution across sites and functions. Responsibilities include leading Lean/Six Sigma initiatives, building training programs, and aligning projects with financial outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or corporate process optimization.
• 3-5 years in a dedicated management or directorial capacity driving change.
• Six Sigma Master Black Belt or Black Belt certification highly preferred.
• Lean certification (SME, AME) preferred.
• Proficient in Lean, Six Sigma, TQM, or Agile principles.
• Advanced data analysis skills with tools like Minitab, Excel, Power BI.
• Experience with process mapping tools (Visio, Lucidchart).

Responsibilities

• Define the CI roadmap aligned with business objectives.
• Foster a Kaizen culture across the organization.
• Lead cross-functional projects spanning multiple sites.
• Deploy Lean/Six Sigma tools to eliminate waste.
• Build training programs to certify CI champions.
• Establish KPIs and dashboards to track improvement impact.
• Mentor site CI leaders and frontline teams.
• Communicate findings and recommendations effectively.

Skills

Lean & Six Sigma

TQM

Agile principles

Data storytelling

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration

Master's or MBA preferred

Tools

Minitab

Excel

Power BI

Visio

Lucidchart

Job description

Job Description

Director of Continuous Improvement

Job Summary

The Director of Continuous Improvement will partner across operations and site leadership to design, deploy, and oversee the organization's overall operational excellence and continuous improvement strategies. These strategies will strengthen operational performance, reduce waste, improve process reliability, and enhance customer satisfaction. This individual will act as an enterprise-wide change agent, challenging the status quo and introducing structured methodologies to optimize workflows, maximize financial outcomes, and elevate customer satisfaction - helping to sustain measurable performance gains. The role bridges strategic corporate vision with hands-on, frontline execution.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Cultural Transformation

• Define the CI Roadmap: Author and execute a multi-year continuous improvement strategy aligned with overarching business objectives.
• Foster a Kaizen Culture: Promote an enterprise-wide mindset of process excellence, accountability, and innovation.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Collaborate with executive leadership to prioritize pipeline projects and manage operational change.

Process Optimization & Execution

• Deploy Lean/Six Sigma: Apply advanced tools (e.g., Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Root Cause Analysis, Kaizen events) to eliminate waste.
• Financial & Metric Linkage: Connect operational wins (e.g., cycle times, capacity, quality) directly to bottom-line financial results.
• Lead Cross-Functional Projects: Spearhead high-impact, complex projects that span multiple business units or manufacturing sites.

Training & Team Development

• Build Organizational Capability: Design and launch training programs to educate and certify internal Lean/Six Sigma champions.
• Mentor Talent: Coach site-level CI leaders, plant managers, and frontline teams in structured problem-solving.

Data & Metrics Management

• Establish KPIs: Build robust performance dashboards to track the measurable impact of improvement initiatives.
• Root-Cause Analysis: Use statistical tools to identify performance gaps and synthesize recommendations through clear storytelling.

Performance Metrics (KPIs)

A successful Director of CI will be evaluated on:

• Cost savings and avoidance (ROI) from executed projects.
• Process efficiency gains (e.g., reduction in lead times, defect rates, or waste).
• Training and adoption rates (number of employees certified or engaged in CI activities).

Requirements & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Degree: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field (Master's or MBA preferred).
• Experience: 7-10+ years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or corporate process optimization.
• Leadership: Minimum 3-5 years in a dedicated management or directorial capacity driving change without always having direct hierarchical authority.

Certifications (Preferred)

• Six Sigma Master Black Belt or Black Belt certification from an accredited body is highly preferred.
• Lean Certification (e.g., SME, AME, or equivalent institutional certification).

Core Competencies & Skills

• Methodological Expertise: Proficient in Lean, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM), or Agile principles.
• Data Fluency: Advanced skills in data analysis tools (e.g., Minitab, Excel, Power BI) and process mapping tools (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart).
• Soft Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, conflict resolution, and storytelling skills to influence cross-functional teams.
• Use of observation, analysis, and communication skills to support improvement initiatives.
• Have a shared responsibility for both process improvement as well as operational performance with plant and functional leaders.
• Perform tasks primarily in an office environment with regular visits to manufacturing areas.
• Exposure to noise, temperature variations, and proximity to industrial equipment during site visits.
• Required use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when in production areas; adherence to all safety policies and procedures.
• Travel to additional facilities or vendor locations, which may include overnight stays.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, solve problems, and make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Frequent standing and walking during site visits in manufacturing areas.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. occasionally for job-related activities.