Continuous Improvement Manager

Methode Electronics•Rolling Meadows, IL

1d•$108,000 - $162,000

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement Manager owns the site continuous-improvement roadmap and aligns improvement work with business priorities through strategy deployment and planning with the leadership team. The role designs, deploys, and sustains a lean operating system, including tiered daily management, visual management, standard work, leader standard work, and gemba routines. It maintains the plant KPI framework and ensures metrics drive action throughout the organization. The position leads improvement execution across the busbar value stream and supporting functions, using kaizen events, value-stream mapping, structured problem-solving, and HMLV-appropriate flow improvements. It uses Epicor manufacturing data to identify waste and validate results, and extends lean practices into transactional processes. The manager also develops business cases, tracks savings with Finance, and partners with Engineering on capital, automation, and MES or analytics projects. The role builds improvement capability through training and coaching, supports an engaged problem-solving culture, and integrates continuous improvement with AS9100, NADCAP, safety, and ergonomics requirements. The facility is subject to ITAR regulations. Applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR and the position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or a closely related discipline.
At least 8 years of manufacturing experience, including at least 3 years leading continuous-improvement or operational-excellence programs.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent demonstrated expertise, with measurable and sustained throughput, quality, and cost results.
Deep working knowledge of value-stream mapping, standard work, SMED, 5S, visual and tiered management, kaizen, and structured problem-solving.
Strong analytical skills; fluency with ERP-based manufacturing data and ability to build analyses that drive decisions.
Must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR (22 CFR § 120.62), such as a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other qualifying protected individual. The position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Manufacturing experience in metal fabrication, machining, or electromechanical assembly.
Experience in a high-mix, low-volume or job-shop operation.
Busbar, power-distribution, or copper/aluminum fabrication background; familiarity with plating and other special processes.
AS9100 and/or NADCAP experience.
Epicor or comparable ERP and MES implementation experience.
Experience with strategy deployment (hoshin kanri) and building a continuous-improvement function or lean operating system from the ground up.

Responsibilities

Own the site continuous-improvement roadmap and align the improvement pipeline with business priorities through strategy deployment and annual and quarterly planning with the leadership team.
Design, deploy, and sustain a lean operating system including tiered daily management, visual management, standard work, leader standard work, and gemba routines.
Define and maintain the plant KPI framework for safety, quality, delivery, cost, throughput, on-time delivery, first-pass yield, and cost of poor quality, ensuring metrics drive action at every tier.
Plan, facilitate, and follow up on kaizen events, value-stream mapping, and rapid improvement workshops across the busbar value stream and supporting functions.
Lead structured problem-solving using DMAIC, A3, and 8D on high-impact site losses, focusing early effort on constraints to flow.
Drive high-mix, low-volume flow improvements, including setup and changeover reduction, WIP and queue-time reduction, cell design, pull and replenishment, and scheduling discipline.
Use Epicor labor, move, and job data to quantify active versus queue time, identify waste, and validate sustained improvements.
Extend lean practices into quoting, order entry, planning, purchasing, and quality processes.
Build business cases for improvement initiatives and track and report validated hard and soft savings in partnership with Finance.
Partner with Engineering on capital, automation, and MES or analytics projects to ensure they address the right problems and deliver expected returns.
Build continuous-improvement capability by delivering lean and problem-solving training.
Coach supervisors and managers to lead improvement in their areas and foster a culture in which operators identify and solve problems.
Integrate continuous improvement with AS9100 and NADCAP requirements; ensure process changes are controlled, documented, and validated; and support audits and corrective actions.
Lead 5S and workplace organization, partnering with EHS to embed safety and ergonomics into improvement work.