Senior Continuous Improvement Manager

DSJ Global; Andover (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

DSJ Global seeks a high-energy Continuous Improvement leader to support multiple manufacturing sites and drive operational excellence across a regional network. This role translates CI tools into measurable business results, coaching onsite teams and sustaining improvements.

The ideal candidate will lead Kaizen events, guide cross-functional teams, and travel up to 50% to mentor on the factory floor. A track record of delivering tangible performance gains is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field or related area.
• 10+ years of manufacturing or operations experience with proven results.
• Lean manufacturing principles and tools expertise (VSM, SMED, TPM).
• Ability to lead multi-site teams and manage cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong communication and presentation skills from shop floor to executive level.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to site-level continuous improvement teams across multiple facilities.
• Support adoption and execution of continuous improvement systems and methodologies, ensuring they drive measurable operational outcomes.
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events, problem-solving initiatives, and other high-impact improvement activities.
• Translate business objectives into actionable improvement plans that can be effectively executed at the site level.
• Identify, prioritize, and deliver initiatives that improve operational performance, productivity, quality, and financial results.
• Track, analyze, and communicate improvement metrics and business impact through established performance measures.
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment among Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance teams.
• Spend significant time on the manufacturing floor coaching teams, observing processes, and supporting continuous improvement activities.
• Lead governance and steering committee meetings to remove barriers and ensure successful execution of improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Kaizen events

VSM

SMED

TPM

Change management

Cross-functional

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations/Business

Tools

SAP

Job description

We are seeking a high-energy Continuous Improvement leader to support multiple manufacturing sites and drive operational excellence across a regional network. This role is responsible for helping manufacturing teams translate continuous improvement tools and methodologies into measurable business results.

As a multi-site leader, you will provide coaching and indirect leadership to onsite CI professionals, production leaders, and frontline teams. The ideal candidate is a results-oriented change agent who excels at driving implementation, sustaining improvements, and creating accountability throughout the organization.

NOTE: This position will require up to 50% travel

Job Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to site-level continuous improvement teams across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Support the adoption and execution of continuous improvement systems and methodologies, ensuring they drive measurable operational outcomes.
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events, problem-solving initiatives, and other high-impact improvement activities.
• Translate business objectives into actionable improvement plans that can be effectively executed at the site level.
• Identify, prioritize, and deliver initiatives that improve operational performance, productivity, quality, and financial results.
• Track, analyze, and communicate improvement metrics and business impact through established performance measures.
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment among Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance teams.
• Spend significant time on the manufacturing floor coaching teams, observing processes, and supporting continuous improvement activities.
• Lead governance and steering committee meetings to remove barriers and ensure successful execution of improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 10+ years of manufacturing or operations experience, with demonstrated success driving operational results.
• Prior experience in production leadership, operations management, or manufacturing supervision.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing environments and production challenges.
• Expert knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and tools, including:
• Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
• SMED
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• Material Flow Optimization
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead teams within a matrixed organization.
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively from the shop floor to executive leadership.
• Proven track record of leading projects through implementation and sustaining long-term improvements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Transformation leadership experience.
• Experience with ERP systems, particularly SAP.
• Multi-site manufacturing experience.
• Experience coaching and developing continuous improvement practitioners and frontline leaders.