Sr. Continuous Improvement Specialist

Xylem; Town of Cheektowaga (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Xylem is seeking a Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist for our Cheektowaga manufacturing site in the Buffalo area. This role blends hands-on shop-floor action with strategic CI leadership to improve material flow, throughput, and labor efficiency across the plant, partnering with operations and leadership.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering or related field and 4+ years in CI, manufacturing, or industrial engineering, with hands-on Lean, Six Sigma,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years in manufacturing/industrial engineering or CI role.
• Hands-on experience on shop floor with Lean/Six Sigma/Kaizen approaches.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional CI projects to improve material flow, throughput, labor efficiency, and overall manufacturing performance.
• Identify bottlenecks, reduce waste, and sustain improvements with plant teams and leadership.
• Coach teams, share best practices, and build CI capability across the site.

Skills

Lean

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Data analysis

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering or related technical field

Tools

Minitab

JMP

Advanced Excel

Job description

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Xylem is looking for a Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist to help drive operational performance and Lean transformation at our Cheektowaga manufacturing site in the Buffalo area. This is a strong opportunity for a manufacturing engineer, industrial engineer, or continuous improvement professional who wants to work in a visible, high-impact plant role where improvements on paper turn into measurable results on the floor.

This position supports the production of industrial heat exchangers serving a rapidly growing data center market, giving the role a compelling mix of manufacturing complexity, business relevance, and long-term growth potential.

If you are energized by improving flow, increasing throughput, partnering with operations, and leading change in a real manufacturing environment, this role offers the chance to do that every day.

Why This Role Stands Out

This is not a desk-only CI role. You will spend a meaningful amount of time on the shop floor, working side by side with production teams, supervisors, and leadership to identify opportunities, solve problems, and sustain improvements. The role is ideal for someone who wants to move beyond analysis alone and directly influence how a plant performs.

You’ll have the chance to lead plant-level initiatives with visibility, ownership, and support from site leadership, while helping shape a culture of continuous improvement in a facility where hands-on engineering mindset and practical execution both matter.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will lead cross-functional continuous improvement projects that improve material flow, throughput, labor efficiency, and overall manufacturing performance. You’ll take projects from early-stage opportunity identification through implementation and sustainment, with a focus on driving measurable operational and financial results.

You will work closely with plant leaders and the union workforce to identify process constraints, reduce waste, improve workflow, and support better day-to-day execution across the facility. This includes helping teams address bottlenecks, strengthen standard work, and build more efficient and sustainable operating rhythms.

You’ll use Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen tools to solve complex manufacturing problems, while also using data and statistical analysis to support decisions and track results. Just as importantly, you’ll act as a change agent—building trust, gaining buy-in, and helping the site continue maturing its continuous improvement culture.

This role also offers the opportunity to coach others, share best practices, and strengthen CI capability across the organization.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field, along with 4+ years of experience in a manufacturing, industrial engineering, or continuous improvement role.

The strongest candidates will bring hands-on experience in plant environments and a track record of using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies to improve performance. You should be comfortable using data to drive action, working across functions, and influencing both frontline teams and leadership.

This role is especially well suited for candidates who have worked in heavy manufacturing, fabrication, industrial production, or similarly complex operational settings. Experience in a unionized environment is a strong plus.

We’re also looking for someone who is self-directed, pragmatic, and able to move initiatives forward with a high level of ownership. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential, as success in this role depends on both technical credibility and the ability to earn trust across the plant.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred candidates may also have Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification, PMP certification, or ASQ credentials such as CQE or CMQ/OE. Experience with analytical tools such as Minitab, JMP, or advanced Excel is highly valued.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite at our Cheektowaga, NY facility and requires a regular presence on the manufacturing floor. Approximately 25-50% of the role will be spent in the plant, supporting hands‑on improvement efforts and collaborating directly with operations teams.

Why Join Xylem?

Xylem is a global water technology company focused on solving critical water challenges around the world. Joining Xylem means being part of a purpose‑driven organization while also building a career in an environment where operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement truly matter.

We offer a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive set of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage from day one, paid parental leave, fertility and maternity support, paid time off and holidays, retirement savings with company contribution, tuition reimbursement, student loan support, wellness resources, employee recognition programs, and volunteer opportunities through our Watermark program.

Compensation

The estimated salary range for this position is $100,000 to $115,000 plus bonus. Starting pay is based on factors including experience, skills, and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range.

Additional Information

Xylem does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

If you’re a manufacturing or industrial engineering professional looking for a role where you can influence plant performance, lead meaningful change, and make a visible impact in the Buffalo market, we encourage you to apply.

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re‑use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.

At Xylem, you’ll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees’ well‑being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and affirm action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment.

Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem’s transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology!

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