Director of Continuous Improvement

Cadrex; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision coverage

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Annual bonus

Remote work stipend

Job summary

Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions seeks a Director of Continuous Improvement to lead a culture of operational excellence across manufacturing. You will drive Lean/Six Sigma programs, reduce waste, and elevate product quality by mentoring a CI team and partnering with operations, engineering, and quality.

Remote-friendly with broad manufacturing scope. The role requires 10+ years in manufacturing with leadership in CI, Black Belt certification, and strong data-analysis capabilities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in manufacturing operations with leadership experience in continuous improvement
• Black Belt required; Master Black Belt is a plus
• PMP certification is a plus
• Deep understanding of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with data analysis proficiency
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence change at all levels

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a company-wide continuous improvement strategy
• Align improvements with organizational goals and business objectives
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and other initiatives to improve processes
• Drive waste reduction, productivity, and quality enhancements
• Build and mentor a high-performing CI team
• Train employees in Lean/Six Sigma tools
• Oversee multiple CI projects with on-time and on-budget delivery
• Develop and monitor KPIs to measure initiative success
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain
• Act as a change agent to promote cross-functional collaboration
• Analyze operational data to identify trends and decisions
• Provide updates to executive leadership on impact
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices
• Introduce innovative solutions to maintain competitive edge
• Ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance

Skills

Leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Communication

Problem solving

Power BI/Tableau

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Power BI

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

All Jobs > Director of Continuous Improvement

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

Requirements

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
• 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. For more information, visit www.cadrex.com.

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.