Manufacturing - Continuous Improvement Technician

EFCO Forming & Shoring Solutions; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

EFCO Forming & Shoring Solutions seeks a Continuous Improvement Technician to drive lean initiatives across manufacturing and warehouse. You’ll analyze data, identify waste, and implement 5S, visual management, and Kaizen activities to improve safety, quality, and productivity.

Based in Des Moines, IA, you will coordinate CI projects, work with cross-functional teams, and sustain improved processes. The role emphasizes standardization over routine production tasks.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate degree or technical training preferred.
• Experience: Previous manufacturing experience required. Lean/Six Sigma or CI experience preferred.
• Certification(s) and License(s): Lean/Six Sigma training or certification preferred.
• Computer Skills: Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office. AutoCAD or other CAD software experience preferred
• Other Requirements: Ability to interpret operational data and support process improvement initiatives. Ability to facilitate and implement improvement projects and communicate technical information to cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Support planning, coordination, implementation, and sustainment of lean CI initiatives.
• Analyze operational data and assist with audits, root cause analysis, and action item follow-up.
• Implement 5S, visual management, and Kaizen activities across operations.
• Execute CI projects including layout changes, workstation modifications, and equipment relocation.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Continuous Improvement

Industrial process improvement

Microsoft Office

AutoCAD

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or technical training preferred

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Continuous Improvement Technician

Position Type: Full-Time Regular
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Position Reports to: Continuous Improvement Manager
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Travel Required: Up to 25%
Date: June 3, 2026

Purpose

Serve as a technical resource supporting Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives across manufacturing, warehouse and other Company operations. The Continuous Improvement Technician assists with the analysis, coordination, implementation, and sustainment of Lean initiatives designed to improve safety, quality, productivity, workflow efficiency, and operational performance. The position is focused on implementing and sustaining improved processes and standards rather than performing regularly assigned production or routine maintenance work.

EFCO Culture & Safety Statement

Act with Integrity by demonstrating honesty, responsibility, trustworthiness, and respect in all actions. Strive for Quality through continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making. Embrace Innovation by being self-aware, collaborative, and curious. Deliver Super Service by creating value and consistently exceeding customer expectations.

At EFCO, the health and safety of our team members, visitors, and contractors is an overriding priority and EFCO is committed to promoting a safe and healthy work environment by requiring all team members to participate in environmental, safety, and health program activities. This includes always wearing required personal protective equipment; participating in safety training; engaging in and supporting safety activities including reporting hazards, unsafe work practices & near misses, incidents involving property damage, and any / all injuries – no matter how minor – immediately to their supervisor or manager.

Key Responsibilities

Support Continuous Improvement Initiatives (35%)

Support the planning, coordination, implementation, and sustainment of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives. Assist with identifying improvement opportunities, reducing waste, improving workflow efficiency, standardizing processes, and supporting operational excellence objectives. Work collaboratively with production, quality, maintenance, warehouse and leadership teams to implement practical improvements that support safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals.

Analyze and Monitor Process Performance (20%)

Collect, review, and analyze operational data related to safety, quality, productivity, workflow efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives. Assist with audits, improvement tracking, root cause analysis activities, action item follow-up, and identification of opportunities for sustainable process improvements. Support process observations, time studies, process mapping, standardized work development, and collection of current-state data used to identify and validate improvement opportunities.

Implement and Sustain 5S, Visual Management, and Kaizen Activities (25%)

Implement and sustain 5S standards, visual management systems, workplace organization initiatives, and Kaizen activities across manufacturing, warehouse and other Company operations. Implement workplace organization improvements, floor markings, labeling, shadow boards, visual controls, workstation organization, signage, and other improvements identified through Kaizen and CI activities.

Implement Continuous Improvement Projects (20%)

Execute approved Continuous Improvement projects, including manufacturing layout changes, workstation modifications, visual management implementation, equipment relocation, and other physical improvements required to implement an improved future state. Coordinate with production, maintenance, and leadership teams to support efficient implementation while minimizing operational disruption. These activities are project-based and focused on implementing improvements rather than performing regularly assigned production or routine maintenance work.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate degree or technical training preferred.
• Experience: Previous manufacturing experience required. Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement methodologies, or industrial process improvement preferred.
• Certification(s) and License(s): Lean/Six Sigma training or certification preferred.
• Computer Skills: Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office. Autocad or other CAD software experience preferred
• Other Requirements: Ability to interpret operational data and support process improvement initiatives. Ability to facilitate and implement improvement projects and communicate technical information to cross-functional teams.

Core Competencies

• Collaboration: Works well with others toward shared goals, contributing constructively to team efforts.
• Creativity: Generates innovative ideas and solutions to improve outcomes or processes.
• Direction, Planning, Organization: Sets clear objectives, aligns efforts, and manages time and resources to achieve results.
• Responsibility: Takes ownership of actions, tasks, and outcomes; follows through on commitments.
• Communication: Communicates effectively verbally and in writing, producing clear, concise, and professional content and adapting style to audience and setting.

Physical Demands

Medium: Exerting 20 to 50 lbs of force occasionally and/or 10 -25 lbs force frequently and/or up to 10 lbs of force constantly. Physical demand requirements are greater than that required for Light Work.

To ensure a safe work environment while meeting the physical demands of the job you must be able to perform the following physical and mental tasks with or with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Physical Requirements

• Hearing – must be able to discern warning sounds and spoken language – Frequently
• Talking – Frequently
• Vision: Continuously
• Walking - Frequently
• Balancing - maintaining equilibrium when walking, climbing, crouching, sitting, standing, etc. - Constantly
• Repetitive Motions - Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. - Occasionally
• Sitting/Standing – must be able to sit or stand as required for extended periods of time. – Frequently
• Stooping – bending at the waist – Occasionally
• Climbing - ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles etc. - Occasionally
• Rotation in standing: Occasionally
• Elevated work: Rarely
• Floor to waist vertical lift: Frequently 25 lbs, occasionally up to 50 lbs
• Waist to chest vertical lift: Frequently 25 lbs, occasionally up to 50 lbs
• Horizontal carry: Frequently 25 lbs, occasionally 50 lbs for 10 feet
• One hand carry: Frequently 25 lbs, occasionally 50 lbs for 10 feet
• Push horizontally: Frequently 25 lbs, occasionally 50 lbs
• Pull horizontally: Frequently 25 lbs, occasionally 50 lbs
• One hand pull right hand: Frequently 25 lbs, occasionally 50 lbs for 20 ft
• One hand pull left hand: Frequently 25 lbs, occasionally 50 lbs for 20 ft
• Left hand repetitive coupling: Frequently 50 lbs, occasionally up to 65 lbs
• Right hand repetitive coupling: Frequently 50 lbs, occasionally up to 65 lbs
• Squatting: Occasionally
• Kneeling: Occasionally
• Static postures: Occasionally to Frequently
• Reaching: Occasionally
• Crouching: Occasionally
• Capacity to think, concentrate and focus for long periods of time– Frequently
• Ability to read complex documents in the English language– Frequently
• Capacity to reason and make sound decisions– Frequently
• Ability to write complex documents in the English language– Frequently
• Capacity to express thoughts orally– Frequently

Expertise in:

• Ability to regularly perform all job functions at company office or worksite
• Ability to withstand environmental conditions such as extreme heat or cold, grass, wind, sand, fumes, odors, gases, noises. Etc.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment as required

The position is currently classified as on- site.

The company reserves the right to modify, update, change and/or make corrections to this job description, at the sole discretion of senior leadership, at any time during the employee’s employment term, at the sole discretion of management.

EFCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.