Continuous Improvement & Customer Experience Manager

Daimler Truck North America•Detroit, MI

16h•Onsite

About The Position

Inside the Role At Detroit®, we power the future of commercial transportation. Within Powertrain Operations, we are committed to Operational Excellence, a strong Lean culture, and delivering world‑class products and customer experiences. Our success is built on empowered people, disciplined processes, and an unwavering focus on value creation. The Continuous Improvement & Customer Experience Manager is a high‑impact leadership role within Operations Excellence, responsible for advancing Lean thinking, continuous improvement, and customer experience excellence across Powertrain Operations and our closest cross-functional partners. This role operates at the intersection of global strategy, plant execution, and customer engagement, shaping both how we work and how customers experience the Detroit® brand. This position combines three closely integrated responsibilities: Global Powersystems Lean and Continuous Improvement leadership, Truck Operating System (TOS) deployment and sustainment for Detroit & Saltillo Powersystems, and Detroit® Customer Experience leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
6+ years of relevant experience, including demonstrated leadership in Continuous Improvement / Lean initiatives in a manufacturing or operations environment, preferably within powertrain, automotive, or complex industrial settings, including 2 years of group leader/supervisory/project lead experience are required.
Strong working knowledge of Lean principles and tools (e.g., value stream management, problem solving, standard work, Kaizen etc).
Experience deploying or sustaining an operating system (TOS, BOS, SPS, or similar).
Proven ability to lead through influence and collaborate across disciplines, cultures, and global organizations.
Strong leadership skills with experience managing diverse salaried and hourly teams.
Ability to drive results KPI based in a challenging and dynamic environment by means of vision & purpose, motivational and goal-oriented leadership.
Lean Consultant trainee / Lean Specialist or alternative work-based involvement into lean methodologies.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and change management leadership skills.
Customer‑facing experience with confidence engaging leaders and stakeholders.
Track record of “self-starter” and ability to work independently without direct supervision (strong in self-organization and time management).
Demonstrate organizational and time management skills.
A mindset rooted in continuous learning, diversity equity, inclusion, and empowerment, aligned with Daimler Truck leadership principles.
Willingness to travel occasionally (approximately 2–4 trips per year).

Nice To Haves

8+ years of related experience preferred
3+ years direct supervisory/leadership experience managing diverse salaried and hourly teams
DTNA Lean Consultant/Lean Coach or comparable Lean knowledge and experience
Active engagement/participation in job rotational opportunities when presented
German language proficiency (preferred/not required)

Responsibilities

Define, deploy, and sustain Lean strategy through the Truck Operating System (TOS), ensuring alignment with plant and functional leadership through a comprehensive plant BlueSky and Hoshin Kanri process.
Lead KPI‑driven continuous improvement initiatives that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
Define plant wide optimization initiatives through an annual TOS/CI road mapping process, establish and maintain strong and effective communication to Detroit plant leadership team.
Establish a wholistic CI initiative reporting and tracking system to create transparency on realized cost improvements for the Financial Business Unit Planning and improve resource management based on efforts vers. needs.
Assist all cross-functions with initiative onboarding and training with the tool.
Embed Lean principles (such as Value Stream Mapping, Process Mapping, Kaizen, TOS methods etc.) into daily operations, new processes, and product launches to drive sustainable performance.
Position Detroit® TOS/CI Office as a Lean Service organization that effectively shapes the Lean Mindset and CI empowerment within operations and cross‑functional partners.
Design and deliver Lean and CI training and education offers within the GPO CI Lean Academy Pyramid for hourly and salaried employees at all organizational levels.
Lead, coach, and develop a diverse team of Lean practitioners and operational leaders to conduct effective and regular TOS workshop/kaizen or training initiatives according to regular department planning, facilitation and reporting/tracking standards.
Build a strong, self‑sustaining Lean culture rooted in accountability, learning, and continuous improvement through the establishment of Lean multipliers in all facets of the business at all levels.
Initiate regular interdepartmental rotations (Salaried: Lean Consultant - TOS Supervisor, Global Lead/Key Account, Hourly: Key Account Lean Specialist LC Consultant etc.) to ensure full range of competencies.
Organize regular rotations with external departments to ensure proliferation of lean knowledge and fulfillment of trainee pipeline.
Facilitate exchange of Lean Trainees between internal departments and global partners (DTNA, TT/O etc.)
Support administration of Team Leader training, evaluations and program development throughout the business.
Serve as Global Powersystems CI Lead, coordinating CI strategy (yearly Hoshin Kanri Cycle for all plants), governance, reporting, and best‑practice sharing across Powertrain Operations through half-year global TT/O (GPO) CI SteerCo meetings and GPO CI Cup.
Enable strong collaboration with Daimler Truck stakeholders across DTNA, TT/O, and global partners (LCQP, DTNA Pitch Meetings, DTNA Awards etc.) and foster and support exchange of LC trainees and consultants between Daimler Truck plants.
Drive global alignment while encouraging local ownership and innovation.
Own the strategy and execution of Detroit® customer plant tours, delivering a consistent, best‑in‑class experience.
Lead cross-functional collaboration to evolve the Detroit® Customer Welcome Center as a flagship representation of our products, culture, and operational excellence.
Translate operational excellence into a compelling customer story that reinforces brand trust and pride and supports HR’s sustainable recruiting efforts.
Lead and develop a diverse team of salaried and hourly team members, fostering inclusion, engagement, and continuous development.
Act as a trusted partner to Operations and cross-functional organizations, influencing without authority and driving alignment across functions and geographies.
Serve as a change leader and role model for Lean leadership behaviors within the Detroit® and Daimler Truck culture.
Represent Detroit® with credibility, professionalism, and customer focus.

Benefits

annual bonus program
401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age
starting at 4 weeks paid vacation
13+ calendar holidays
8 weeks paid parental leave
employee assistance program
comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs
onsite fitness (at some locations)
tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off
short-term and long-term disability plans