Group Manager Continuous Improvement

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust health, dental and vision plans

Generous 401(k)

Education assistance

On-site wellness, fitness center, food

Job summary

Milwaukee Tool is seeking a Group Manager of CI to lead lean transformation across manufacturing sites. You will drive waste elimination, map value streams, and facilitate kaizen and change initiatives to reduce costs and improve flow. Expect cross‑functional collaboration and mentoring in lean tools.

The role requires strong facilitation, project leadership, and the ability to manage multiple CI projects across sites. Travel up to 75% is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent years of related experience in Lean/Continuous Improvement roles
• 4+ years of experience with manufacturing process improvement
• Specific experience in advanced implementation of OEE, SMED, TPM, Machine Optimizers, and Material Flow
• Experience as a Facilitator and Coach applying problem solving, process development and behavior change tools
• Strong proficiency in Lean principles such as Value Stream Mapping and Kaizen
• Proficient in project management and Microsoft tools (Excel, Pareto, PowerPoint, Visio or similar)
• Experience building a Lean management system in manufacturing with KPI improvements

Responsibilities

• Facilitate strategic Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, Quick hit and Strategic projects from definition through execution
• Coordinate cross‑functional resources for events and communicate results across the business
• Develop, standardize and deliver training and tools to all levels of the organization
• Build skills of functional leaders and associates through mentoring in lean management tools
• Establish standard KPIs and visual dashboards across sites for continuous improvement
• Provide scenario analysis to optimize future-state productivity and costs
• Drive digital lean strategies in partnership with automation and data teams
• Ensure project accountability and sustainment of improvements
• Establish metrics and report progress to executives and management
• Ensure changes are integrated through follow‑up communication and consistency
• Select and apply lean tools including VSM, 6S, Kanban, PFEP, 8D, 5‑Why, etc.
• Travel required, up to 75%

Job description

Come be DISRUPTIVE with us! At Milwaukee Tool, our most valued resource is our dedicated team of employees – employees who work with a passion to be the best and have an unparalleled pride in their work and in the Milwaukee brand. We know that the only way to sustain growth and success is to value the growth and success of each person within the organization, which is why we invest in an individual's growth and development from day one.

The Group Manager of CI supports the development and deployment of an operations‑wide OPEX process improvement strategy, supporting multiple manufacturing global sites. The Group Manager is a change agent responsible for building a culture of waste elimination by analyzing the effectiveness of manufacturing processes then developing and executing action plans to achieve optimal future state, reduce costs, and streamline processes.

This position is a fundamental part of our OPEX cross‑functional team in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will be a strong facilitator with proven process improvement experience in various high‑volume manufacturing processes including assembly, injection molding, machining, and others. Particularly looking for a candidate with experience establishing machine and assembly cell layout and design, pull and material delivery systems including Kanban, optimizers, changeover wheels, and PFEP throughout the extended value stream.

It will also be necessary to be a strong project leader, facilitating kaizen and process mapping activities with groups that may be unfamiliar with Lean tools. You will need to influence and motivate project teams that span multiple departments and locations. Equally important, you will simultaneously manage multiple site CI projects from project definition through sustainment of improvements.

You’ll also be DISRUPTIVE through these duties and responsibilities:

• Capability to quickly establish credibility, influence project teams and persuade employees at all levels.
• Facilitate strategic Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, Quick hit and Strategic projects from definition through execution. Coordinate cross‑functional resources for these events and communicate the results throughout the business.
• Work with site lean resources and teams to develop, standardize and deliver training and tools to all levels of organization as needed. Build the skills of all functional leaders and associates through hands‑on interactions and personal mentoring in lean management tools. Establish common language and processes across sites.
• Work across multiple sites and BU's to establish standard KPI's and visual dashboards as a basis for continuous improvement.
• Provide multiple what‑if scenarios to find best solution to achieve future state. Well‑rounded understanding of financial impacts of these scenarios to drive productivity improvements.
• Part of team that establishes and develops digital lean strategies in partnership with automation and data teams.
• Drive accountability for team to successfully complete project work.
• Establish appropriate metrics and report on progress, achievements and results. This includes executive level reporting, management updates, and best practice sharing throughout the organization.
• Ensure changes are fully integrated through follow‑up communication, perseverance and consistency.
• Select and execute appropriate lean tools depending on situation – VSM, Standard Work, 6S, Flow – material, cell, and plant level (3P), Kaizen, SMED, TPM, Poka‑Yoke, JIT, Kanban, Visual Management, layered audits, PFEP, Pull systems, Root cause, 8D, and 5‑why analysis etc.
• Travel required, up to 75%

What TOOLS you’ll bring with you:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent years of directly related experience in Lean/Continuous Improvement roles
• 4+ years of experience with manufacturing process improvement
• Specific experience in advanced implementation of OEE, SMED, TPM, Machine Optimizers, and Material Flow
• Previous Facilitator and Coaching experiences where problem solving, process development and/or behavior change methods and tools have been used successfully
• Strong proficiency in Lean principles such as Value Stream Mapping & Kaizen
• Proficient in project management and Microsoft tools (Excel, Pareto, PowerPoint, Visio or other)
• Strong skills in implementing lean and building a lean management system in a manufacturing environment, including driving step changes in KPI's

Other TOOLS we prefer you to have:

• Extensive training in lean methodologies
• Plant Manager, Lean Manager, Value Stream Manager and/or Materials Management experience

Desired Location

• Preferred location: Milwaukee, WI.
• Secondary preference near Milwaukee Tool facility and/or major airport

We provide these great perks and benefits:

• Robust health, dental and vision insurance plans.
• Generous 401 (K) savings plan.
• Education assistance.
• On‑site wellness, fitness center, food, and coffee service.
• And many more.

Milwaukee Tool is an equal opportunity employer.