Lean Expert

Guided Search Partners; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Guided Search Partners is seeking a Lean Expert for a family-owned global plastic packaging manufacturer in Pennsylvania. This role involves hands-on leadership in a rapidly growing facility, focusing on Lean implementation and process improvement. The candidate should enjoy being on the shop floor, lead Kaizen events, and coach teams towards sustainable change.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or similar, and 2+ years of manufacturing experience, this role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact in a facility entering a major growth phase.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean and continuous improvement efforts across the plant.
• Drive kaizen events and daily improvement activities.
• Coach teams to build capability and accountability.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Change management

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field

Tools

MES

Power BI

Job description

Guided Search Partners (GSP)

Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long‑term Relationships. We connect high‑performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with a family‑owned global plastic packaging manufacturer seeking a Lean Expert in Pennsylvania. This is an on‑site, hands‑on continuous improvement role in a growing food and beverage packaging facility. The site is the company’s first U.S. location and is entering a major growth phase, with 50% growth from last year and significant investment planned over the next 2–3 years. The company is looking for someone who can be on the floor five days a week, build buy‑in at all levels, and help turn Lean ideas into lasting change. This is a strong fit for a Lean leader who can coach teams, improve process flow, reduce waste, and bring people along through practical, visible leadership.

What You’ll Do

You’ll lead Lean and continuous improvement efforts across the plant with a strong focus on shop‑floor engagement, process improvement, and culture change.

Key areas of focus include

• Lead Lean strategies aligned with plant objectives
• Drive kaizen events, VSM sessions, Gemba walks, and daily improvement activity
• Improve process flow, reduce waste, and support operational performance
• Partner with Operations to improve equipment reliability and OEE
• Collaborate with Quality to strengthen process discipline and reduce defects
• Build and sustain standard work, visual management, 5S, and daily management routines
• Coach frontline teams and leaders to build capability and accountability
• Use operational data and KPIs to identify bottlenecks and set improvement priorities
• Support safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements
• Standardize and scale processes as production volume increases

Who You Are

You are not a desk‑only Lean professional. You like being on the floor, working with people, asking questions, and helping teams solve problems in real time. You bring strong leadership ability and know how to win people over without forcing change. You can identify opportunities, build a plan, and follow through until improvements stick. You would do well here if you are hands‑on, collaborative, self‑driven, and comfortable helping a growing site build stronger Lean habits from the ground up.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field, or equivalent experience
• Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement leadership experience
• 2+ years of hands‑on manufacturing or operations experience
• Plastic manufacturing experience highly preferred
• Strong shop‑floor understanding
• Strong facilitation, communication, and change management skills
• Ability to influence cross‑functional teams and drive cultural transformation
• Lean or Six Sigma certification preferred
• Experience with digital tools such as MES or Power BI is a plus
• Strong self‑drive, collaboration, professionalism, and follow‑through
• Ability to work on‑site 5 days a week

Why This Role Matters

This role matters because the facility is growing quickly and needs a dedicated Lean leader who can help build sustainable systems, not temporary fixes. With new thermoforming lines, new injection presses, and major investment planned, the Lean Expert will play an important role in helping the site scale efficiently while maintaining safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. For someone who wants a visible, hands‑on role with real impact, this is a strong opportunity to help shape operational excellence in a high‑growth facility.