Sr. Continuous Improvement Manager

Glidewell Laboratories; Irvine, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Glidewell Laboratories is seeking a proven Continuous Improvement leader to shape the future of our operations. You will drive strategic, hands-on process improvements across the business using Lean Six Sigma methodologies and cross-functional collaboration.

You will coach teams, develop charters, quantify impact, and sustain gains through standard work and management routines while influencing stakeholders at all levels.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence.
• Experience with statistical analysis techniques (descriptive stats, hypothesis testing, regression).
• Ability to analyze large datasets and translate findings into actions.
• Proven cross-functional leadership and change-management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives using DMAIC, Lean, and problem-solving methods.
• Develop and implement management systems and standards to improve performance visibility and accountability.
• Quantify and communicate operational and financial impact of CI initiatives.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement activities across functions.
• Develop project charters, business cases, and implementation plans for CI projects.
• Coach teams and leaders in Lean/Six Sigma and change management.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to drive sustainable business results.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

DMAIC

Kaizen events

Change management

Stakeholder mgmt

Data analysis

Process mapping

Tools

MS Excel

Minitab

SPC

DOE

Job description

We're seeking a proven Continuous Improvement leader to help shape the future of our operations. This role combines strategic thinking, hands-on problem solving, and cross-functional leadership to drive sustainable improvements across the business. You'll leverage Lean Six Sigma expertise, influence stakeholders at all levels, and deliver operational and financial results that support organizational growth.

Essential Functions

• Leads moderately complex, cross-functional improvement initiatives aligned with organizational priorities, applying DMAIC, Lean, and structured problem-solving methodologies to optimize processes, redesign workflows, standardize operations, and sustain results.
• Supports the development and implementation of management systems, operational standards, and process improvements that improve performance visibility, accountability, and execution consistency.
• Applies Lean Six Sigma, statistical analysis, process observation, and structured problem-solving methods to identify process variation, inefficiencies, constraints, and root causes; evaluate solutions; and drive measurable improvements in productivity, quality, customer experience, lead time, and scalability.
• Facilitates Kaizen events, workshops, and continuous improvement activities.
• Develops project charters, business cases, implementation plans, and operational updates for improvement initiatives.
• Quantifies, validates, tracks, and communicates the operational and financial impact of improvement initiatives including productivity, labor, capacity, quality, cost, inventory, and lead-time improvements.
• Develops control plans, performance measures, standard work, and management routines to sustain improvements and prevent regression.
• Coaches leaders, project teams, and developing CI practitioners in structured problem solving, Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, project execution, and change management.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to support strategic initiatives and sustainable business results.
• Serves as a continuous improvement resource to leaders and teams in the application of Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, and structured problem-solving methodologies.

Special Requirements/Certification

• Six Sigma Black Belt Certification from ASQ or a recognized equivalent organization preferred; demonstrated Black Belt-level project experience required.
• Shingo Institute or equivalent Operational Excellence training preferred.
• PMI PMP Certification preferred.
• Lean or Operational Excellence certification preferred.

Communication Skills

• Strong verbal, written, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate complex operational ad analytical concepts across organizational levels.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build alignment, support change adoption, and drive accountability without direct authority.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and communicate effectively in a multicultural business environment.
• Proficient English verbal and written communication skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, and process improvement methodologies.
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis techniques used in process improvement, including descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, regression, ANOVA, statistical Process Control (SPC), process capability, and measurement system analysis (MSA).
• Ability to analyze large and moderately complex operational datasets, identify patterns and sources of variation, develop hypotheses, and translate analytical findings into actionable business recommendations.
• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE) and other advanced analytical techniques preferred.
• Ability to select and apply appropriate analytical and problem-solving tools based on the nature and complexity of the business problem.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change across functions, influence stakeholders without direct authority, overcome resistance, and establish ownership for sustained process improvements.
• Advanced ability to assess end-to-end processes using tools such as process mapping, value stream mapping, capacity analysis, bottleneck/constraint analysis, root cause analysis, and waste identification.
• Strong understanding of Daily Management Systems, KPI management, Leader Standard Work, Visual Management, and structured problem solving.
• Strong analytical, systems-thinking, and organizational assessment capability.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including the ability to quantify operational and financial impact and develop credible business for improvement opportunities.

Pay Range: $106,000 to $150,000/yr