Lean Manufacturing Specialist

Sopra Steria; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly transportation allowance

Hybrid work environment

All the equipment you need to succeed

Job summary

Sopra Steria is hiring a Lean Manufacturing Specialist to drive operational excellence in manufacturing environments. You will lead continuous improvement, apply Lean best practices, and optimize production processes to reduce waste and improve productivity and quality.

The role requires 5+ years of Lean/CI experience, a relevant engineering degree, and certification. A hybrid work setup and comprehensive benefits support career growth and impact across projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, or Industrial Engineering.
• Proven track record of leading process improvement and operational transformation initiatives.
• Lean Manufacturing certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies.
• Conduct assessments to identify waste, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
• Perform VSM, design optimized workflows, and improve layouts.
• Define and analyze KPIs; drive productivity, quality, delivery, and cost efficiency.
• Train and mentor teams in Lean principles and practices.
• Foster cross‑functional collaboration and organizational transformation.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Operational Excellence

Continuous Improvement

Industrial Engineering

Value Stream Mapping

Kaizen

5S

Kanban

Pull Systems

SMED

Root Cause Analysis

KPI Development

Stakeholder Engagement

Cross‑functional Leadership

Fluent English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Operations Management

Job description

We are seeking a results-driven Lean Manufacturing Specialist to support operational excellence and industrial transformation initiatives within manufacturing environments. In this role, you will lead continuous improvement efforts, optimize production processes, reduce waste, and enhance productivity, quality, and overall operational performance through the application of Lean Manufacturing principles and best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Excellence
  • Conduct manufacturing assessments and performance analyses to identify improvement opportunities.
  • Identify process inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and sources of waste across production operations.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing methodologies.
  • Facilitate Kaizen events, root cause analysis sessions, and problem‑solving workshops.
• Process Optimization
  • Perform Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and end‑to‑end process analysis.
  • Design and implement optimized workflows, production processes, and work standards.
  • Improve plant layouts, material flow, and operational efficiency.
  • Support the implementation of pull systems, Kanban, visual management, and other Lean tools.
• Performance Improvement
  • Define, track, and analyze operational KPIs.
  • Drive improvements in productivity, quality, delivery performance, and cost efficiency.
  • Reduce cycle times, work‑in‑progress (WIP), downtime, and production waste.
  • Support Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improvement initiatives.
• Change Management & Leadership
  • Train, coach, and mentor teams on Lean principles and continuous improvement practices.
  • Foster a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Facilitate stakeholder workshops, improvement reviews, and cross‑functional collaboration.
  • Support organizational transformation and the successful adoption of new processes and best practices.

Required Skills

• 5+ years of experience in Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, or Industrial Engineering.
• Proven track record of leading process improvement and operational transformation initiatives.
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Lean Manufacturing certification.
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Hands‑on experience with Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Kaizen, 5S, Kanban, Pull Systems, and SMED.
• Experience with root cause analysis, waste reduction, process optimization, and performance improvement.
• Proficiency in KPI development, performance measurement, and data analysis.
• Strong change management, stakeholder engagement, and cross‑functional leadership skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and facilitation abilities.
• Results‑oriented mindset with a focus on delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Fluent in English.

Nice‑to‑Have Skills

• Experience in the aerospace industry.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• French language skills.

Competitive Compensation

• Attractive salary
• Annual performance bonus

Benefits That Matter

• Health, dental, and vision coverage
• Life and long‑term disability insurance
• Optional add‑ons: Accidental, Telemedicine, and Critical Illness coverage

Time for You

• 3 weeks of vacation
• Sick leave and personal days

Perks & Flexibility

• Monthly transportation allowance
• Hybrid work environment
• All the equipment you need to succeed

Grow With Us

• World‑class training and development
• Clear paths for career advancement
• A caring, collaborative, and inclusive culture

Sopra Steria is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our company works everyday to combat all forms of discrimination and promote a respectful working environment. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, and people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.