Sr Manager of Distribution Continuous Improvement

MKS Instruments, Inc.; Andover, Northern (MA, KY); On-site; USD 135,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (medical, dental, and

401(k) with company match

Life and disability insurance

12 paid holidays

Sick time

15 paid vacation days

6 weeks fully paid parental leave

Adoption assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Stock programs / signing bonus

Job summary

MKS Instruments, Inc. is seeking a Senior Manager, Global Distribution Continuous Improvement to lead long-range strategies for warehousing and material handling across all Global MKS warehouses and 3PLs.

You will partner with Global Logistics, Supply Chain, Trade Management, Quality, IT and Regional Operations to drive measurable improvements. This role requires 10+ years in distribution or logistics, 5+ years leading global CI initiatives, and a proven ability to deliver ROI through Lean and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field; or equivalent practical experience
• MBA or advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in distribution, warehousing, or global logistics operations
• 5+ years leading continuous improvement initiatives in a global or multi-site environment
• Experience partnering with and optimizing operations across distribution centers and 3PL providers in multiple regions
• Strong analytical skills with experience using KPIs, dashboards and data visualization
• Influential leader who can drive change, alignment, and execution across cross‑functional stakeholders without direct authority
• Industrial Engineering background preferred
• 10+ Years of Leadership experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Develop a long-term strategy to optimize warehousing space and efficiencies to support MKS’s long-term business cycle
• Deploy Lean solutions to immediately gain efficiency in space and material travel
• Identify, prioritize, and lead high-impact initiatives focused on cost reduction, service improvement, productivity and risk mitigation
• Select appropriate storage systems to drive efficiencies, lead implementation from developing business case through implementation
• Drive improvements in warehouse efficiency, order fulfillment, inventory accuracy, cycle time, and capacity utilization
• Establish and maintain standard work, KPIs, and performance dashboards for global distribution operations
• Quantify benefits of Continuous Improvement initiatives and track savings, service improvements, and risk reduction
• Ensure initiatives deliver measurable return on investment and align with budget targets
• Champion maximizing cubic feet density improvement across all locations
• Leverage ABC/XYZ analysis to create optimized inventory locations
• Deploy 5S, and Visual Management across all warehouse locations
• Lead and mentor warehouse teams to create a problem-solving culture
• Ensure optimal customer service from warehouse to internal, and external customers
• Conduct vendor analysis if external support is required to deploy improvement

Skills

Leadership

Continuous improvement

Analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

3PL coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain

MBA or advanced degree

Job description

A Day in Your Life at MKS: We are looking for an exceptional Senior Manager, Global Distribution Continuous Improvement, with a strong desire to learn and grow with an innovative company. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative international environment navigating multiple technologies, systems, processes, organizations, sites, cultures, and practices to understand & validate issues and facilitate solutions. In this role, you will have full responsibility for short to long range continuous improvement plans improvement plans to optimize material handling space, and efficiency across all Global MKS warehouses and 3PL locations. The role partners cross functionally with Global Logistics, Supply Chain, Trade Management, Quality, IT and Regional Operations. This position reports to the Senior Director of Global Logistics and Trade Management.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Develop a vision and long-term strategy to optimize warehousing space, and efficiencies to support the MKS long term business cycle
• Deploy Lean Solutions to immediately gain efficiency in space, and material travel.
• Identify, prioritize, and lead high-impact initiatives focused on cost reduction, service improvement, productivity and risk mitigation
• Select appropriate storage systems to drive efficiencies, lead implementation from developing business case through implementation
• Drive improvements in warehouse efficiency, order fulfillment, inventory accuracy, cycle time, and capacity utilization
• Establish and maintain standard work, KPIs, and performance dashboards for global distribution operations
• Quantify benefits of Continuous Improvement initiatives and track savings, service improvements, and risk reduction
• Ensure initiatives deliver measurable return on investment and align with budget targets
• Champion maximizing cubic feet density improvement across all locations
• Leverage ABC/XYZ analysis to create optimized inventory locations
• Deploy 5S, and Visual Management across all warehouse locations
• Lead and mentor warehouse teams (material handling, shipping, and receiving) to create a problem-solving culture
• Ensure optimal customer service from warehouse to internal, and external customers
• Conduct vendor analysis in case of external support is required to deploy improvement

Skills You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience
• MBA or advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in distribution, warehousing, or global logistics operations
• 5+ years leading continuous improvement initiatives in a global or multi-site environment
• Experience partnering with and optimizing operations across distribution centers and third‑party logistics (3PL) providers in multiple regions
• Strong analytical skills with experience using KPIs, dashboards and data visualization
• Influential leader who can drive change, alignment, and execution across cross‑functional stakeholders without direct authority
• Industrial Engineering Background preferred
• 10+ Years of Leadership experience preferred

Salary Pay Range: $135,000.00 - 225,000 per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law. At MKS, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.

Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].

Benefits:

• health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision)
• 401(k) with company match
• life and disability insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• sick time
• 15 paid vacation days
• [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave
• adoption assistance
• tuition reimbursement
• [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.]

Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons.” “U.S. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees. MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: [e-mail].

At MKS, it's all about courage, big ideas, and a serious passion for innovation. Winning here is about exploring possibilities, taking action, and solving our customers’ toughest challenges. It's not just a job – it's what you make of it. While you shape your role and make it unique, we invest in you with on-the-job and formal training, as well as educational assistance. Curiosity is key at MKS - ask questions, own your path. Our success comes from celebrating the unique skills, diverse perspectives, and lived experience of employees from over 100 countries. The goal is to make sure that everyone feels that they belong. Diversity isn't just a nice-to-have; making sure everyone feels included is a big deal for us. Our group of ~10,000 employees serves semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial markets. With over 3,800 patents, our products are enabling advancements in 5G, renewable energy & storage, artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and big data. We're the behind-the-scenes support for some amazing technology. MKS Inc., enables technologies that transform our world. MKS Inc, Product Overview