Senior Manager- Continuous Improvement

Sotalent; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotalent is seeking a senior manufacturing leader to champion Lean-based operational excellence across multiple facilities on-site in California. The role focuses on deploying a robust daily management system, visual controls, and structured accountability to drive safety, quality, delivery, and productivity.

You will coach leaders in problem-solving, lead cross-functional improvement initiatives, and advance organizational capabilities through training and structured methodologies such as RCA,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in manufacturing, operational excellence, continuous improvement, or Lean leadership roles.
• Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing systems in complex production environments.
• Experience leading large-scale operational transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and sustain a robust daily management framework across manufacturing operations.
• Establish visual management systems and structured accountability processes that support performance at all organizational levels.
• Develop and manage key performance indicators focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, and workforce engagement.
• Create standardized leadership routines that promote accountability, consistency, and operational discipline.
• Ensure performance gaps are identified, escalated, and addressed through effective action plans.
• Lead the development of organization-wide problem-solving capabilities.
• Coach leaders and teams on structured methodologies such as Root Cause Analysis, PDCA, 5 Why, A3, and other continuous improvement tools.
• Facilitate cross-functional improvement initiatives to eliminate recurring operational challenges.
• Empower employees to identify, resolve, and prevent issues at the source.
• Foster a culture focused on sustainable solutions and continuous learning.
• Lead value stream assessments and future-state process design initiatives.
• Improve manufacturing layouts, workflows, and material movement strategies to enhance productivity and efficiency.
• Partner with operations, engineering, supply chain, and materials teams to optimize replenishment systems and production flow.
• Drive initiatives that reduce waste, shorten lead times, improve throughput, and enhance overall operational performance.
• Support facility expansion, redesign, and optimization projects that align with future business growth.
• Identify and prioritize strategic improvement opportunities across manufacturing operations.
• Facilitate Lean workshops, Kaizen events, and operational excellence programs.
• Implement and sustain Lean tools and methodologies, including: Standard Work; Visual Management; 5S; Value Stream Mapping; Pull Systems; SMED; TPM.

Skills

Lean leadership

Continuous improvement

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Coaching

Value stream mapping

Kaizen

5S

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations

Job description

Location: Simi Valley, California, United States (On-site)

Industry: Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution

Work Setting: On-site

Are you passionate about driving operational excellence, leading large-scale continuous improvement initiatives, and transforming manufacturing operations through Lean principles?

Join a dynamic manufacturing leadership team where you'll champion the deployment of a high-performance operating system, foster a culture of accountability and problem solving, and drive sustainable improvements across safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity, and employee engagement. This role offers the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide operational performance while leading transformative change across multiple manufacturing facilities.

What You'll Do

Drive Operational Excellence & Daily Management

• Design, implement, and sustain a robust daily management framework across manufacturing operations.
• Establish visual management systems and structured accountability processes that support performance at all organizational levels.
• Develop and manage key performance indicators focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, and workforce engagement.
• Create standardized leadership routines that promote accountability, consistency, and operational discipline.
• Ensure performance gaps are identified, escalated, and addressed through effective action plans.

Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement

• Lead the development of organization-wide problem-solving capabilities.
• Coach leaders and teams on structured methodologies such as Root Cause Analysis, PDCA, 5 Why, A3, and other continuous improvement tools.
• Facilitate cross-functional improvement initiatives to eliminate recurring operational challenges.
• Empower employees to identify, resolve, and prevent issues at the source.
• Foster a culture focused on sustainable solutions and continuous learning.

Optimize Manufacturing Flow & Operations

• Lead value stream assessments and future-state process design initiatives.
• Improve manufacturing layouts, workflows, and material movement strategies to enhance productivity and efficiency.
• Partner with operations, engineering, supply chain, and materials teams to optimize replenishment systems and production flow.
• Drive initiatives that reduce waste, shorten lead times, improve throughput, and enhance overall operational performance.
• Support facility expansion, redesign, and optimization projects that align with future business growth.
• Identify and prioritize strategic improvement opportunities across manufacturing operations.
• Facilitate Lean workshops, Kaizen events, and operational excellence programs.
• Implement and sustain Lean tools and methodologies, including:
• Standard Work
• Visual Management
• 5S
• Value Stream Mapping
• Pull Systems
• SMED
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• Establish governance structures that ensure long-term sustainability of continuous improvement efforts.

Develop Organizational Capability

• Coach and mentor leaders on Lean leadership principles and operational excellence methodologies.
• Build internal champions who can drive continuous improvement initiatives across multiple functions.
• Design and deliver training programs that strengthen problem-solving, leadership, and operational capabilities.
• Increase employee engagement by promoting ownership and participation in improvement activities.

Success Factors

• Improved performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and inventory metrics.
• Increased maturity and effectiveness of daily management systems.
• Reduced lead times, cycle times, and operational waste.
• Enhanced material flow, manufacturing efficiency, and inventory productivity.
• Greater employee participation in continuous improvement activities.
• Successful implementation of visual management and accountability processes.
• Measurable gains in productivity, operational effectiveness, and business performance.
• Ability to travel as needed to support multi-site operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in manufacturing, operational excellence, continuous improvement, or Lean leadership roles.
• Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing systems in complex production environments.
• Experience leading large-scale operational transformation initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of factory operations, manufacturing flow, facility design, and material movement optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to coach leaders, influence stakeholders, and drive lasting cultural change.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within highly regulated, technical, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Multi-site manufacturing leadership experience.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or similar continuous improvement certification.
• Experience supporting geographically distributed operations.
• Advanced expertise in Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen Leadership, Lean Enterprise Systems, and operational transformation methodologies.