Lean Technologist

polaris; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Polaris Inc. in Huntsville, AL, seeks a Lean Manufacturing lead to drive PPS improvements across production, quality, engineering, and material handling by partnering with cross‑functional teams to elevate performance.

You will facilitate Kaizen events, coach leaders in Lean methods such as Gemba, 5S, and root-cause problem solving, and apply PDCA to sustain gains and build a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field (Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management or related)
• 3+ years in manufacturing, Lean, or continuous improvement roles
• Experience leading Kaizen events and implementing standard work
• Strong knowledge of Lean principles, value stream mapping, visual management, 5S, SMED, and root cause analysis

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and PPS improvement initiatives across production, quality, engineering, material handling, and support functions.
• Analyze manufacturing processes to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and ergonomics.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and rapid improvement workshops to drive measurable results.
• Support value stream mapping and future-state planning to improve material and information flow.
• Coach leaders and team members in Lean methodologies and problem solving.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen events

Gemba

A3 Thinking

PDCA

5S

SMED

Root Cause

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering / related field

Job description

At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

Position Overview:

You will lead Lean Manufacturing and Polaris Production System (PPS) improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations, partnering with production, quality, engineering, material handling, and support teams to drive sustainable operational improvements. In this role, you will facilitate continuous improvement activities, coach team members and leaders in Lean practices, and apply structured problem‑solving methods to improve performance across key business metrics. You will work closely with cross‑functional stakeholders to identify waste, improve process flow, strengthen daily management systems, and build problem‑solving capabilities throughout the organization. This role offers the opportunity to influence operational performance at scale while helping develop a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Polaris Production System improvement initiatives across production, quality, engineering, material handling, and support functions.
• Analyze manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, ergonomics, and team member engagement.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, rapid improvement workshops, and cross‑functional problem‑solving activities to drive measurable business results.
• Support value stream mapping activities and future‑state planning to improve material flow, information flow, and process stability.
• Coach leaders, supervisors, and team members in Lean methodologies, including Gemba observation, A3 thinking, PDCA, 5 Whys, and root cause problem solving.
• Partner with operations teams to establish and strengthen daily management systems, process confirmation routines, and performance tracking processes.
• Implement and support Lean tools and practices, including Kanban, pull systems, point‑of‑use material strategies, 5S, mistake‑proofing, SMED, and standard work.
• Measure, analyze, and communicate improvement results using manufacturing metrics such as safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, first‑pass yield, inventory, and lead time.
• Promote and reinforce a culture of continuous improvement, disciplined execution of standards, and respect for people throughout the organization.

Desired Competencies:

• Problem Solving: You identify issues, assess root causes, and implement practical solutions that balance speed, quality, and risk.
• Collaboration: You work effectively with others across functions and levels, contributing to shared goals while respecting different perspectives.
• Technical / Functional Expertise: You apply the required technical or professional knowledge to perform your role effectively and stay current within your area of expertise.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing, Lean implementation, industrial engineering, operations excellence, or continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience leading Kaizen events, implementing standard work, improving process flow, and coaching teams in practical problem‑solving methods.
• Strong working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and production systems, including continuous improvement methodologies and daily management practices.
• Experience applying Lean tools such as value stream mapping, standardized work, visual management, 5S, mistake‑proofing, SMED, and root cause analysis.
• Ability to analyze manufacturing performance metrics and use data to drive decision‑making and process improvements.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, communication, and cross‑functional influencing skills.
• Experience in high‑volume assembly, automotive, powersports, heavy equipment, or similar manufacturing environments preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, Toyota Production System training, or similar Lean certification preferred.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

• At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing.
• Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit‑sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay‑for‑performance culture.
• At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contribut