Lean Program Manager

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies; Bristol (NH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K Match

Health Insurance

Vacation

Paid Holidays

Personal Development

Job summary

Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership in Bristol, NH is seeking a Lean Program Manager to drive transformation across manufacturing operations. You will lead Kaizen events, value-stream improvements, and complex projects focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost and productivity.

You will coach leaders, build Lean capability, and partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain to sustain improvements and develop future operations leadership opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations and Lean.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects from problem identification through implementation.
• Hands-on knowledge of Lean manufacturing and Kaizen, value stream mapping, 5S, root-cause analysis, and Six Sigma/DMAIC.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and business acumen with data-driven decision making.
• Demonstrated learning agility and leadership potential.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean transformation initiatives across manufacturing operations to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and overall operational performance.
• Plan and facilitate Kaizen events, value stream improvements, and structured problem-solving activities that deliver measurable and sustainable results.
• Own high-impact improvement projects from opportunity identification through implementation, establishing clear objectives, timelines, KPIs, financial impact, and sustainment plans.
• Partner across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other functions to solve complex operational challenges and influence change without direct authority.
• Strengthen operational discipline through Lean practices including daily management, standard work, visual management, 5S, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement systems.
• Build Lean capability throughout the organization by coaching leaders and employees, delivering training, and creating accountability and ownership for continuous improvement.
• Develop toward future operations leadership opportunities through hands‑on exposure to plant performance, cross-functional decision-making, business priorities, and strategic operational initiatives.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Kaizen

Six Sigma

Leadership

Problem solving

Analytics

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!" This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 52,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments.

We at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies run the business operations of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) in the Americas. Being part of the global Freudenberg Group, our company is a leading producer of advanced sealing technologies for automotive and general industries. Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is a joint venture between Freudenberg and NOK Corp. in Japan, is headquartered in Plymouth, MI, operates more than 20 facilities and employs about 4,700 people across the Americas.

Some of your Benefits

• 401K Match: Save for retirement with the company's help.
• Health Insurance: Rely on comprehensive services whenever you need it.
• Vacation: We offer time off to refresh and recharge.
• Paid Holidays: With paid-time off, local holidays are all the way more relaxing.
• Personal Development: We offer a variety of trainings to ensure you can develop in your career.

Bristol, NH

On-Site

Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership

You support our team as

Lean Program Manager

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean transformation initiatives across manufacturing operations to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and overall operational performance.
• Plan and facilitate Kaizen events, value stream improvements, and structured problem-solving activities that deliver measurable and sustainable results.
• Own high-impact improvement projects from opportunity identification through implementation, establishing clear objectives, timelines, KPIs, financial impact, and sustainment plans.
• Partner across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other functions to solve complex operational challenges and influence change without direct authority.
• Strengthen operational discipline through Lean practices including daily management, standard work, visual management, 5S, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement systems.
• Build Lean capability throughout the organization by coaching leaders and employees, delivering training, and creating accountability and ownership for continuous improvement.
• Develop toward future operations leadership opportunities through hands‑on exposure to plant performance, cross-functional decision-making, business priorities, and strategic operational initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, Lean, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Engineering, or a related discipline, with demonstrated measurable results.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects from problem identification through implementation, measurement, and long-term sustainment.
• Hands‑on knowledge of Lean manufacturing and structured problem‑solving methods such as Kaizen, value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, root‑cause analysis, visual management, and Six Sigma/DMAIC.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and influencing skills with the ability to engage production teams, technical functions, and business leaders and drive change without direct authority.
• Strong analytical and business acumen with the ability to use operational and financial data to prioritize opportunities, quantify impact, and communicate results.
• Demonstrated learning agility, leadership potential, and career ambition to grow beyond Lean/Continuous Improvement into broader manufacturing and operations leadership roles.

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.