Director of Continuous Improvement

Cadrex; Agawam (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision coverage

401(k) with employer match

Education support program

Remote work stipend for eligible

Job summary

Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions is seeking a Director of Continuous Improvement to lead a culture of operational excellence at our Agawam, MA facility. The role drives Lean and Six Sigma programs, partners with operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain, and oversees multiple CI initiatives with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in manufacturing with leadership in CI, Black Belt at minimum, PMP is a plus, and strong data analytics skills using

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop company-wide continuous improvement strategy.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and related initiatives.
• Mentor CI team and train staff in Lean/Six Sigma.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

ERP systems

Job description

Job Type Full-time Description This position will be onsite at our Agawam, MA facility with travel to other assigned locations.

OVERVIEW

The Director of Continuous Improvement is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and driving a culture of operational excellence within the manufacturing organization. This individual leads the implementation of Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency and quality. The Director collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for improvement, develop strategies, and execute initiatives that align with the company's strategic goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute a company-wide continuous improvement strategy to enhance operational performance
• Align continuous improvement initiatives with organizational goals and business objectives
• Lead the implementation of Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to improve manufacturing processes and eliminate inefficiencies
• Drive initiatives to reduce waste, increase productivity, and improve product quality
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing continuous improvement team
• Train employees at all levels in Lean principles, Six Sigma tools, and other process improvement techniques
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and operational excellence
• Oversee and manage multiple continuous improvement projects simultaneously, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of improvement initiatives
• Partner with operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to identify opportunities for improvement and implement solutions
• Act as a change agent to promote collaboration and alignment across departments
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, measure progress, and drive decision-making
• Provide regular updates and reports to executive leadership on the status of improvement initiatives and their impact
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in manufacturing and process improvement
• Introduce innovative solutions to enhance operational excellence and maintain a competitive edge
• Ensure all improvement activities comply with safety, quality, and regulatory standards
• Promote a safe working environment through continuous risk assessments and process improvements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused on continuous improvement preferred
• Proven track record of successfully implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or other operational excellence programs
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification required; Master Black Belt is a plus
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus
• Deep understanding of Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and other process improvement tools
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team-building skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with proficiency in data analysis tools
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and drive change at all levels of the organization
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field Master's degree is preferred

LOCATION

Remote

SCHEDULE

M-F

CADREX'S CORE VALUES

Safety first, rising to the challenge, collaboration, accountability, and doing the right thing

TOTAL COMPENSATION INCLUDES

• Health/dental/vision coverage
• Employer-paid and supplemental life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay
• Monthly remote work stipend (for remote employees who qualify)
• 401(k) investment plan, with an employer match of up to 4%
• Education support program
• Safety eyeglasses/shoe reimbursement
• Referral bonuses
• Bonus plan for all full-time employees

ABOUT US

CADREX Manufacturing Solutions is a leading provider of complex sheet metal and machined production parts, assemblies, and weldments for a variety of end markets, including electrical transmission and distribution, warehouse automation, technology, aerospace & defense, medical, food, and industrials. With locations in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Monterrey Mexico, CADREX offers numerous in-house manufacturing capabilities, including laser cutting, sheet metal fabrication, complex assembly, CNC punching, CNC machining, forming, robotic welding, stamping, fastener insertion, and tool and die manufacturing, to effectively serve customers with lights-out manufacturing capabilities for mid- to high-volume production.

Cadrex provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Salary Description $180k - $230k

Notice of AI Use in Job Application ReviewAs part of our commitment in creating a fair, efficient, and consistent hiring process we may use artificial intelligence (AI) to help our recruiting teams organize, summarize, and analyze information provided by candidates, including resumes, application responses, and other materials submitted during the application process.AI may be used to identify patterns, highlight relevant skills, and experience, and assist in comparing a candidate's qualifications with the requirement of a specific role. These tools are to improve efficiency and consistency while supporting more informed hiring decisions, which will ultimately be made by the hiring team.