Regional Continuous Improvement Manager

Bodycote; Hebron Estates (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Bodycote in Hebron, Kentucky seeks a Regional Continuous Improvement Manager to drive operational excellence using Lean, Six Sigma and root cause analysis. You will lead Kaizen events and coach leaders to advance safety, quality, delivery and cost reduction across manufacturing operations.

You will partner with site leaders to foster a culture of continuous improvement, develop targeted metrics, and ensure sustainable gains while supporting growth and efficiency improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Management or equivalent.
• 2-4 years Lean experience and/or training; or equivalent education/experience with emphasis in Lean.
• Six Sigma and/or Lean certification preferred.
• Strong leadership and communication skills; ability to coach and mentor.

Responsibilities

• Lead CI projects including Kaizen events aligned with strategic targets.
• Drive Lean transformation with focus on safety, quality, delivery and cost.
• Train and coach managers and employees in Lean principles.
• Partner with function heads to build a culture of continuous operational improvement across targeted areas.
• Coach leaders and staff to implement lean manufacturing and growth best practices.
• Audit, monitor and sustain CI culture using scoring, gap analysis and problem solving.
• Develop and execute a Kaizen roadmap with KPI tracking and project leadership.
• Perform regular Gemba walks to identify improvement opportunities.
• Evaluate current practices to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Skills

Lean principles

Six Sigma

Root cause analysis

Leadership

Change agent

Team facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Management, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our people are the heart of our business. As the world’s largest provider of thermal processing services, Bodycote employs thousands of highly skilled staff around the globe, some of the best engineers, scientists, and technicians in the industry. Come join our team!

Position Summary

The Regional Continuous Improvement Manager serves as champion and will drive operational excellence by leading initiatives that enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency across manufacturing operations under the direction of the Hebron, Kentucky General Manager by applying structured methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and root cause analysis, the Continuous Improvement Manager ensures sustainable gains in performance, cost reduction, the elimination of waste and customer satisfaction, fueling long-term growth and operational strength.

Essential Job Functions (Duties and Responsibilities)

• Schedule, lead, facilitate, and manage Continuous Improvement projects including Kaizen events and aligned with the company`s strategic targets
• Lead the site/function’s Lean transformation with a focus on improvements to safety, quality, delivery and cost
• Train and coach managers and employees in the daily use and implementation of Lean principles
• Partner with function heads to build and maintain a culture of continuous operational improvement that permeates targeted areas of the company.
• Coach/develop site functional leaders and their staffs to identify, understand and implement lean manufacturing and growth best practices and achieve continuously improving levels of safety, quality, delivery, inventory, cost, innovation, and growth.
• Audit, monitor and sustain the health of the CI Lean culture by establishing and utilizing scoring systems, gap analysis, and Problem Solving to asses implemented processes and evaluate where further refinements are needed
• Partner with the corporate CI Lead and the facility or functional leader to develop and execute a kaizen roadmap and identify key metrics (KPI’s) and lead projects to achieve goals in targeted areas
• Senior in Cultural Transformation
• Partner with the site management team and CI Lead to drive Strategy execution
• Ensure consistent application of CI practices, tools and templates (ie: Standard Work, Job Instruction, Daily Management, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen Road Map, SMED, TPM, Time Studies, etc.)
• Assist organization-wide kaizen efforts as needed.
• Perform regular Gemba walks including leadership and area personnel to evaluate improvement & development opportunities
• Evaluate current business practices, looking for ways to improve productivity, reduce costs, and make the best use of the business's resources.
• Performs other tasks as assigned or dictated by position
• This position is responsible for the care and treatment of our customer’s inventory and as such will perform duties in a safe and responsible manner to prevent customer loss or damage

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position must satisfy ITAR compliance requirements, therefore candidates must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Resident Card Holders.
• Bachelor’s degree (B.S./B.A.) or equivalent from a college or university in Engineering, Business Management or a comparable field
• Minimum 2-4 years related Lean experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience with an emphasis in Lean or operational excellence
• Six Sigma and/or Lean experience or certification preferred
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing/Operational Excellence Principles, Problem Solving, 5 Why, Daily Management, 5S, SMED, TPM, Standard Work, Poke Yoke, etc. required
• Demonstrated lean management experience and results required
• Demonstrated ability to teach, mentor, and coach required
• Strong leadership and change agent skills required
• Excellent team facilitation skills required
• Excellent experience and skills using Microsoft Office
• Must demonstrate the ability to read, write and communicate the English language

Physical & Mental Demands

The following physical and mental demands consist of, but are not limited to the following.

• Able to travel regularly to multiple sites in the Mid-West region.
• Must be able to work in a standing position for extended periods of time in an industrial environment.
• Ability to bend, pull, stoop and reach to perform functions
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs.
• May be exposed to heat, fumes, noise, humidity, etc.
• Must have the cognitive and mental capacity to perform essential job functions
• Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Visual acuity to read documents, computer screens, files, etc.
• Ability to hear in person and via phone

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and levels of the work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, the job description does not constitute a written or implied contract for employment. Bodycote reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Bodycote has a longstanding commitment to provide a safe, quality-oriented, and productive work environment and for these reasons, all applicants in the United States who receive a conditional offer of employment must undergo a drug screen before employment begins.

Bodycote is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against current and prospective employees based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age for individuals over forty years of age, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.

Our services are a vital part of many manufacturing processes. We make metal stronger, more durable, and more corrosion resistant. Servicing local and international clients from highly accredited facilities our experience and expertise ensures we deliver to the quality and reliability demanded by the markets we serve and the products we deliver.