Continuous Improvement Mgr

Duravant•Wood Dale, IL

2d•$95,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

nVenia, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, is a manufacturer and supplier of integrated solutions and packaging equipment machinery. With over 300 years of combined experience, our long-standing brands of Arpac, Fischbein, Hamer and Ohlson serve end customers in the consumer-packaged goods, food and beverage, industrial, and other markets. At nVenia, we believe in developing talent and providing meaningful learning experiences. Interns gain hands‑on exposure to real‑world manufacturing operations while working alongside experienced professionals in a collaborative environment. nVenia offers: Competitive compensation for internship positions Hands‑on learning and mentorship from experienced team members Exposure to manufacturing, supply chain, and operational best practices A supportive, safety‑focused, and team‑oriented work environment Opportunities to develop skills that support future career growth POSITION SUMMARY Leads and executes continuous improvement initiatives across the organization to enhance manufacturing performance. Drives cost reduction, improves processes, resolves production issues, and implements best practices. Hands-on leadership role responsible for both strategy and execution of improvement initiatives. Lead CI projects and cross-functional teams Reduce waste and inefficiencies to shorten lead times Improve product quality and increase gross profit Develop and implement effective manufacturing processes ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBLITIES Lead and execute continuous improvement initiatives and roadmap aligned with company strategy Foster a culture of accountability, excellence, and CI adoption across teams Build team capability through training, tools, and structured processes Drive hands-on process improvements using Lean tools (JIT, Kanban, 5S, Kaizen, TPS, SMED) Improve productivity, efficiency, safety, and throughput while reducing waste Analyze manufacturing processes, layouts, and material flow to enhance cost efficiency Lead cross-functional projects, including kaizen events and process redesign Partner with Engineering on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Implement cost reduction programs and establish performance metrics and audits for sustained improvement

Requirements

Bachelor’s in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent) preferred
10+ years in manufacturing, quality, or process improvement roles
Strong knowledge of machining and assembly workflows
Proven success in continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing (JIT, Kanban, 5S, Kaizen, TPS, SMED)
Experience leading kaizen events and driving tools such as Standard Work, SMED, 3P, Material Pull, and TPI
Strong communication and influence skills; able to mentor and train teams
Ability to collaborate and influence at all levels of the organization

Responsibilities

Lead and execute continuous improvement initiatives and roadmap aligned with company strategy
Foster a culture of accountability, excellence, and CI adoption across teams
Build team capability through training, tools, and structured processes
Drive hands-on process improvements using Lean tools (JIT, Kanban, 5S, Kaizen, TPS, SMED)
Improve productivity, efficiency, safety, and throughput while reducing waste
Analyze manufacturing processes, layouts, and material flow to enhance cost efficiency
Lead cross-functional projects, including kaizen events and process redesign
Partner with Engineering on Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
Implement cost reduction programs and establish performance metrics and audits for sustained improvement