Quality - Continuous Improvement Manager

AJNW; Clinton, Northern (SC, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) with company match up to 6%

Paid vacation and holidays

Disability coverage

Wellness programs

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

AstenJohnson in Clinton, South Carolina is seeking a Continuous Improvement Team Leader to guide the CI function, develop the team and drive measurable improvements in quality, process capability and on-time delivery. The role partners with Manufacturing and HR to elevate site performance and customer satisfaction while sustaining a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

You will lead the CI team, own the Lean/CI program, and use data to identify opportunities to reduce waste, variation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Textile, Engineering or related field required.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or higher required.
• Proven leadership experience in manufacturing with improvements in quality and efficiency.
• Strong analytical skills with data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Continuous Improvement Team, driving accountability and measurable results.
• Own the site's Lean/CI program, manage projects, reviews and sustained improvement.
• Use manufacturing and quality data to reduce waste and process variation.
• Lead root-cause investigations and drive sustainable corrective actions.
• Partner with Manufacturing to improve product quality, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Provide technical support to operations and product management; maintain ISO Quality System.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership

Data analysis

Root cause analysis

Manufacturing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Textile/Engineering

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Job description

Continuous Improvement Team Leader

AstenJohnson | Clinton, South Carolina
Full-Time | Salaried Exempt

Make an Impact Where Quality, Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement Come Together

Are you a manufacturing leader who sees opportunities where others see problems? Do you enjoy digging into data, finding the true root cause of an issue, developing people and turning improvement ideas into measurable results?

AstenJohnson is seeking a Continuous Improvement Team Leader for our Clinton, South Carolina manufacturing facility. This is a highly visible leadership role for someone who wants to make a meaningful impact on product quality, process capability, efficiency, customer satisfaction and overall site performance.

You won't simply manage improvement projects. You'll lead the Continuous Improvement function, develop your team, partner closely with Manufacturing and help shape how our Clinton operation performs and improves.

Why AstenJohnson?

AstenJohnson has a history in the paper industry dating back to 1790, and today our products support pulp and paper manufacturers around the world. Papermakers in more than 56 countries rely on AstenJohnson products and technical expertise.

We combine the resources and opportunities of a global organization with the teamwork and hands-on environment of a manufacturing site.

At our Clinton facility, you'll join a team focused on Safety, Quality, On-Time Delivery, Productivity and Innovation. Safety is a core value, supported by our Zero Accident Culture built around accountability, commitment and trust.

AstenJohnson also offers eligible Associates a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) with a 100% company match on Associate contributions up to 6%
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Health and wellness programs
• Employee Assistance Program
• Additional voluntary benefit options and wellness incentives

What You'll Do

As the Continuous Improvement Team Leader, you'll lead the people, processes and initiatives that help make our operation better.

You'll:

• Lead, coach and develop the Continuous Improvement Team, creating accountability for execution and measurable results.
• Own the site's Lean/Continuous Improvement program, establishing a strong cadence for projects, reviews, follow-up and sustained improvement.
• Use manufacturing and quality data to identify opportunities to reduce waste, process variation and product variation.
• Lead root-cause investigations into off-spec product and process issues and drive sustainable corrective actions.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing to improve product quality, repeatability, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Serve as a knowledgeable connection between field Associates and the Clinton Continuous Improvement team regarding product issues and improvement opportunities.
• Provide technical support to site operations and product management.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's ISO Quality System.
• Support capital planning related to equipment, process and quality improvements.
• Participate as a member of the site's Operations Business Team (OBT).
• Help manage materials, supplier relationships, obsolescence planning and variant control.
• Strengthen SOPs and workforce development efforts to improve process and product repeatability.
• Coordinate key trials, product and process modifications, and new product launches with product managers and designers.
• Provide meaningful reports, statistics and analysis that help leadership understand improvement performance and make informed decisions.
• Encourage Associate involvement and create an environment where ideas, problem-solving and continuous improvement are part of how we work every day.
• Actively support AstenJohnson's safety culture and demonstrate safe leadership in everything you do.

Occasional travel to other AstenJohnson locations and customer mills may be required.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a leader who combines technical manufacturing knowledge, analytical thinking and the ability to develop people and drive accountability.

Our ideal candidate brings:

• Strong Paper Machine Clothing (PMC) manufacturing experience preferred; significant industrial textile manufacturing experience may also be considered.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a manufacturing environment with a record of improving quality, processes and measurable business results.
• Strong analytical skills and experience using manufacturing and quality data to identify problems and determine root causes.
• Experience implementing corrective actions that deliver sustainable results.
• Lean/Continuous Improvement knowledge and structured problem-solving experience.
• Mechanical aptitude and a strong understanding of manufacturing processes.
• The ability to adapt and lead effectively in a changing manufacturing environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining focus on results.
• A self-reliant, goal-driven approach and the confidence to exercise sound independent judgment.

Education & Certification

• Bachelor's degree in Textile, Engineering or a related engineering field
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or higher

The Opportunity

This position reports directly to the Site Leader and works closely with Manufacturing and HR to achieve site goals.

For the right manufacturing leader, this is an opportunity to influence much more than a Continuous Improvement department. You'll have the ability to develop people, improve processes, solve meaningful manufacturing challenges and help drive the performance of the entire Clinton operation.

If you enjoy asking "How can we make this better?" — and then bringing people, data and disciplined problem-solving together to make it happen — we'd like to hear from you.

Build what's next with AstenJohnson.

AstenJohnson is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination based on protected characteristics under applicable law.