Manager, 80/20 Process Improvement - Global

Gates Corporation; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) company match

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Gates Corporation, based in Denver, Colorado, seeks a Process Improvement Manager to lead cross-functional projects under the 80/20 principle and drive operational excellence across global teams.

You will map and redesign core processes, develop dashboards and KPIs, and champion data-driven decisions to boost profitability, quality, and efficiency. This role emphasizes hands-on Lean/Six Sigma execution and sustainable improvements.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of experience in process improvement, operations, or business transformation.
• Strong understanding of the Pareto Principle and how to apply it in real-world business contexts.
• Hands-on experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar frameworks.
• Analytical skills to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills—you can inspire change and bring people along for the journey.
• A track record of delivering measurable results in efficiency, cost savings, or quality improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives using the Pareto Principle (80/20) to prioritize high-value opportunities.
• Map, analyze, and redesign core business processes to reduce waste, cut cycle times, and improve quality.
• Implement data-driven decision-making by creating dashboards and KPIs that highlight the most impactful metrics.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions to embed continuous improvement thinking across teams.
• Partner with department heads to ensure changes are adopted, measured, and sustained.
• Leverage Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar methodologies to deliver measurable ROI on improvement projects.
• Formalize process improvements into standard work across the entire global organization

Skills

Pareto Principle

Lean Six Sigma

Kaizen

Analytical skills

Facilitation

Communication

Change management

Job description

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.
Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.
Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

At Gates Corporation, we’re driven by a simple but powerful purpose: to advance the way the world moves. From powering critical industrial applications to enabling cleaner, more efficient mobility, our products and solutions keep industries, communities, and economies moving forward. We believe in innovation with purpose, operational excellence, and empowering our people to make a measurable impact.
The 80/20 principle is at the heart of how we focus—identifying the 20% of products, customers, and processes that deliver 80% of our value, and optimizing them for maximum efficiency and growth.

The Impact You'll Make

As our 80/20 Process Improvement Manager, you’ll be the catalyst for execution excellence. You’ll identify the high-impact processes that move the needle, simplify workflows, and empower teams to work smarter, not harder. Your work will directly influence profitability, customer satisfaction, and team productivity—helping us achieve more with less.

What You'll Do

• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives using the Pareto Principle (80/20) to prioritize high-value opportunities.
• Map, analyze, and redesign core business processes to reduce waste, cut cycle times, and improve quality.
• Implement data-driven decision-making by creating dashboards and KPIs that highlight the most impactful metrics.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions to embed continuous improvement thinking across teams.
• Partner with department heads to ensure changes are adopted, measured, and sustained.
• Leverage Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to deliver measurable ROI on improvement projects.
• Formalize process improvements into standard work across the entire global organization
  

Keys to Success

• Requires in-depth conceptual and practical knowledge in own areas and knowledge of other areas
• Independently applies extensive and diversified knowledge of principles and practices in broad areas of assignments and related fields.
• Uses advanced techniques in the modification or extension of theories and practices of sciences and disciplines to complete assignments.
• Works on a major project or several projects of moderate scope with complex features.
• Reviews complete project documents for conformity and quality assurance.
• Develops new techniques and/or improved processes, materials, or products.
• Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services
• Impacts the achievement of customer, operational, project or service objectives; work is guided by department objectives
• Communicates complex concepts; anticipates potential objections and influences others to adopt a different point of vie
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None
• Leads others to solve complex problems; uses analytical thinking, tools and judgement to identify innovative solutions
• Assists upper level management and staff as a technical specialist or advisor
• May lead teams or projects with moderate resource requirements, risk, and/or complexity
  

Requirements And Preferred Skills

• 8-10 years of experience
• Proven experience in process improvement, operations, or business transformation roles.
• Strong understanding of the Pareto Principle and how to apply it in real-world business contexts.
• Hands-on experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar frameworks.
• Analytical skills to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills—you can inspire change and bring people along for the journey.
• A track record of delivering measurable results in efficiency, cost savings, or quality improvements.
  

Pay & Benefits

• Full-Time
• Pay Range: $120,000 - $135,000
• Bonus Eligible
• Relocation is provided
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance and other voluntary benefit options: benefits begin on the first day of the month immediately following your date of hire
• Eligible for 3 weeks of paid vacation + 11 holidays (9 scheduled & 2 floating) + 8 sick days. All vacation days are accrued
• 401(k): 3% company contribution and additional 3% company match
• Tuition Reimbursement
  

WHY GATES?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands and fingers to work with objects, tools, or controls; and use office equipment including computers, telephones, and/or copiers/scanners. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in Colorado, Gates is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation range is specific to the State of Colorado and takes into account various factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.