Manager – Continuous Improvement

Rehlko; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 108,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Work-life flexibility

Recognition and rewards

Development opportunities

Safe and inclusive workplace

Job summary

Rehlko is seeking a Manager – Continuous Improvement to lead across Manufacturing, Planning, Purchasing, Sourcing, and Manufacturing Engineering. You will standardize processes, deploy auditable workflows, and drive enterprise-wide improvements while ensuring safety and compliance.

You will shape strategies, utilize DMAIC/5S/Kaizen methods, and mentor teams to reduce cost and improve quality and delivery. Travel up to 20% domestically and internationally is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operational execution, supply chain, business administration or another relevant field.
• 8+ years of experience within manufacturing organizations in engineering and/or operational leadership roles.
• Demonstrated progression in responsibility, scope, and organizational impact throughout career advancement.
• Experience in electrical manufacturing and/or large matrixed organizations with multiple facilities preferred.
• Combination of engineering, operations, and manufacturing leadership is preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically and 20% internationally.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy aligned with the organization's goals.
• Create sustainability and scalability through defined enterprise processes.
• Plan standard work in direct and indirect functions across sites.
• Deploy standardized methods (MOR) across manufacturing locations enterprise-wide.
• Implement visual management tools and dashboards for enterprise-wide visibility.
• Identify and deploy AI solutions to improve speed, cost, and quality.
• Lead cross-functional teams to drive process improvements.

Skills

Change agent

Data-driven

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership

Cross-functional

Multitasking

Problem solving

People safety quality delivery

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/related field

Job description

Why Work at Rehlko

Our work is guided by our purpose: creating an energy-resilient world for a better future. This purpose embodies the legacy we bring, with more than 100 years as the global leader in energy resilience, delivering solutions critical to sustain and improve life.

Our teams have the opportunity to provide a critical resource – energy – that ensures safety, security, and independence for people around the world. Our team members are focused on pushing boundaries, continuing to innovate in an ever-changing landscape, and keeping up with the pace required to create solutions for today’s world demands.

Our product range includes engines, generators, power conversion, UPS systems, EV components and electrification solutions, microgrid controls and management, and clean energy solutions that serve a broad spectrum of OEM, residential, industrial, and commercial customers. At Rehlko, you have the freedom to identify, create, and deliver solutions – large and small – that help people and communities thrive in the moments that matter.

At Rehlko, our team members are the essential energy that powers our organization’s success. We are committed to fostering a safe and sustainable work environment where safety is everyone’s responsibility. We empower every team member to actively participate in our Zero Is Possible safety culture by encouraging open communication, proactively reporting hazards, following protocols, and suggesting improvements. Join us in creating an energy resilient world for a better future!

What We Offer

At Rehlko, our Total Rewards programs are designed to accelerate growth, energize performance, and support a culture of inclusion at every stage of life and work. We offer total rewards that are easily understood, recognize results, enable career mobility, and reflect our commitment to valuing diverse needs in a fast-moving world. We provide:

• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Work-life flexibility
• Recognition and rewards
• Development and career opportunities
• A safe and inclusive workplace

Why You Will Love this Job

As an organizational leader within Rehlko, the Manager – Continuous Improvement is responsible as a lead within continuous improvement. This role will develop and lead strategies that create sustainable and scalable operational growth. These strategies will include standardizing globally consistent processes throughout the Operational functions which include but are not limited to Manufacturing, Planning, Purchasing, Sourcing, and Manufacturing Engineering. This will be accomplished by defining and deploying documented auditable processes. Additionally, this role will be on the forefront of Rehlko’s journey of sustainable growth by defining and deploying new methodologies, tools, and solutions which will drive innovation across the Operations organization. This role will lead and instill a culture of continuous improvement, creating tangible improvements in cost, quality, and delivery. This role will partner cross-functionally across the enterprise engaging enterprise-wide stakeholders to execute the role. While executing the role a commitment to safety, compliance, and efficiency are paramount and align with Rehlko’s organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

• In partnership with the operations strategy leadership team, develop and implement a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy aligned with the organization's goals and objectives.
• Create sustainability and scalability through defining enterprise with processes
• Create a plan for standard work in direct and indirect functions
• Define and deploy standard MOR across all manufacturing locations enterprise wide
• Define and deploy visual management at all levels of the enterprise such as Gemba boards and support function dashboards and control towers
• Identify emerging tools, software’s, programs and general solutions and create implementation strategy
• Identify and deploy AI throughout the enterprise driving speed of execution and decision making, cost reduction and efficiency, and quality improvements.
• Identify key performance metrics and KPIs to measure and track improvements.
• Analyze existing processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop a cost reduction program to deploy across all the functional departments.
• Collaborate with teams to gather data, conduct root cause analysis, and define improvement goals.
• Lead and facilitate cross-functional teams to implement process improvements.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and lead by example
• Utilize tools such as DMAIC, SMED, 5S, Kaizen, and Value Stream Mapping to streamline processes.
• Stay current with industry best practices and emerging trends in continuous improvement via web research, trade shows, or other methods of research and insight
• Engage and drive DFM functions aligning product Engineering outputs with Manufacturing needed and Manufacturing Engineering inputs
• Prepare and present regular reports on the status and impact of continuous improvement projects to senior management

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operational execution, supply chain, business administration or another relevant field
• 8+ years of experience within manufacturing organizations in engineering and/or operational leadership roles.
• Demonstrated progression in responsibility, scope, and organizational impact throughout career advancement.
• Experience in one or more of the following environments is preferred: Electrical manufacturing and assembly operations, OEM or blended OEM/contract manufacturing organizations, Large, matrixed organizations with multiple manufacturing facilities, Global manufacturing operations and/or unionized manufacturing environments
• Candidates with a combination of engineering, operations, and manufacturing leadership experience in complex, multi-site organizations are strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically and 20% internationally.

Skills & Competencies

• Change agent - motivated, energetic and passionate about change with ability to sell change and gain buy in from stakeholders
• Strong knowledge and approach of leveraging data and tangible information to drive improvements utilizing KPI measurements
• Expertise in leveraging lean six-sigma tools and methodologies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Cross functional partnering in a matrixed organization
• Ability to multitask balancing both tactical day-to-day tasks and conceptual strategy development concurrently
• Ability to identify and leverage resources outside of function to complete actions
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to People, Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost mindset.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

The Salary range for this position is $107,650.00-$137,150.00.The specific Salary rate offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location.

About Us

Rehlko proudly offers a rich history steeped in creativity and commitment to our associates and communities, along with competitive benefits and compensation. Our Purpose—Creating an energy resilient world for a better future—and Values: Curiosity, Trust, Pace, and Excellence, are important cultural components that shape the way we work and relate to one another. Learn more about Rehlko at http://www.rehlko.com/who-we-are.

In addition to the investment in your development, Rehlko offers a benefits package including a competitive salary, health, vision, dental, 401(k) with Rehlko matching, and more!?

Rehlko is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and will make decisions regarding employment opportunities, including, but not limited to, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, discipline, and termination, without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, genetic information, age, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, caste, mental or physical disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political belief or affiliation, union membership status, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national, state, local, or other applicable laws.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

It is the policy of Rehlko to comply with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and corresponding national, state, local, or other applicable laws. Rehlko will not discriminate against any qualified associate or applicant with respect to any terms, privileges, or conditions of employment because of a person's physical or mental disability. Rehlko will provide a reasonable accommodation to associates or applicants with disabilities, in accordance with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require an accommodation in the application process or during the course of employment, please contact [e-mail]. Rehlko is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Our Values

• Curiosity – Seek, learn, share
• Trust – Go farther together
• Pace – Focus to go faster