Early-Career Lean Engineer, Warehouse Operations

Actalent; Merrillville (IN); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and R

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO / Vacation or Sick Leave

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Continuous Improvement Engineer for a newly established distribution operation in Northwest Indiana. You will drive Lean initiatives, perform root-cause analyses, and partner with operations leaders to boost productivity and quality in a fast-paced warehouse.

Ideal candidates are early-career engineers or recent graduates with hands-on problem-solving skills, ERP familiarity, and the ability to map processes and implement Standard Work and 5S in daily operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing/Mechanical/Supply Chain/Operations Engineering or related field.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Proven problem-solving abilities, including experience with root cause analysis and structured methodologies.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with leadership and frontline teams.
• Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment and contribute to cross-functional initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the broader Microsoft Office suite.
• Foundational knowledge of continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, and process improvement principles.
• Ability to understand and map process flows within warehouse and distribution operations.

Responsibilities

• Analyze warehouse and operational processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Conduct root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies to address operational issues.
• Collect, interpret, and analyze operational data to support continuous improvement initiatives and decision-making.
• Partner with operations leadership and frontline employees to evaluate current workflows and recommend practical improvements.
• Support Lean initiatives including 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Kanban systems, and other continuous improvement tools.
• Develop clear process documentation, standard operating procedures, and detailed improvement plans.
• Monitor performance metrics and measure the effectiveness of implemented solutions to ensure sustainable results.
• Participate in cross-functional projects focused on operational excellence, process optimization, and efficiency gains.
• Assist with process audits and continuous improvement activities throughout the facility to maintain high operational standards.
• Utilize ERP systems and operational reporting tools to support analysis, reporting, and strategic decision-making.
• Apply concepts such as line balancing, process flow optimization, and Kaizen to improve warehouse and distribution operations.
• Contribute to project management activities related to continuous improvement efforts, including planning, execution, and follow-up.

Skills

Analytical skills

Root cause analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

Excel proficiency

Lean manufacturing

Process mapping

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing/Mechanical/Supply Chain/Operations Engineering or related field

Tools

ERP systems (Oracle)

MS Office

Job description

Actalent seeks a Continuous Improvement Engineer for a newly established distribution operation in Northwest Indiana. You will drive Lean initiatives, perform root-cause analyses, and partner with operations leaders to boost productivity and quality in a fast-paced warehouse.

Ideal candidates are early-career engineers or recent graduates with hands-on problem-solving skills, ERP familiarity, and the ability to map processes and implement Standard Work and 5S in daily operations.