Continuous Improvement Project Manager

Carlisle•Montgomery, NY

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Project Manager advances the Carlisle Operating System (COS) by leading improvement initiatives that deliver measurable results across value streams, departments, and facilities. The role supports facility goals and broader operational objectives through cross-functional collaboration and project leadership. The CI Project Manager independently leads improvement initiatives, applies Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and aligns stakeholders. The position influences outcomes beyond an immediate area or plant, coaches leaders and early-career CI professionals, and leads projects with operational and strategic impact. It requires project execution, problem-solving, and change leadership to drive sustainable improvements aligned with COS standards. The role collaborates with plant leadership and functions including operations, engineering, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and support teams. It typically works in an office environment within a manufacturing facility and operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional overtime, weekends, and schedule flexibility may be required. Travel is expected to be approximately 15%–25%, depending on business needs.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial), Operations, Business, or a related field and 6 years of experience in a business or manufacturing setting; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields and 4 years of experience in a business or manufacturing setting.
Strong working knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma principles, tools, and methodologies, such as VSM, DMAIC, root cause analysis, and 5S.
Understanding of manufacturing or business operations and cross-functional systems.
Knowledge of continuous improvement frameworks and performance management systems, including KPIs and operational metrics.
Experience facilitating Kaizen events, process mapping, root cause analysis, and operational improvement initiatives.
Advanced project management skills, including planning, execution, risk management, and stakeholder coordination.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex, multi-variable challenges.
Effective coaching, facilitation, and leadership skills across organizational levels.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to influence without authority.
Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple functions and organizational levels.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, as well as project management software.
Ability to analyze operational data and translate findings into actionable improvements.
Ability to comply with company policies related to data security, confidentiality, and remote work standards.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field and 4 or more years of experience in a business or manufacturing setting, with proficiency in Lean and Six Sigma.
Lean and/or Six Sigma certification; Black Belt or Master Black Belt preferred for senior-level roles.

Responsibilities

Lead and facilitate Lean, Six Sigma, and COS initiatives across manufacturing and business functions.
Drive measurable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People metrics.
Lead Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 5S activities, visual management improvements, and standard work implementation.
Use structured problem-solving to identify root causes and implement sustainable countermeasures.
Support the development and execution of strategic improvement roadmaps aligned with business objectives.
Monitor and report project performance, KPIs, savings, and operational results.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems, workflows, and organizational effectiveness.
Define project scope, timelines, deliverables, milestones, and resource requirements, prioritizing initiatives aligned with facility and business objectives.
Lead large cross-functional projects with defined scopes, timelines, deliverables, and strategic outcomes.
Manage project risks, barriers, action items, and stakeholder communication.
Ensure project documentation, action tracking, and reporting are completed accurately and consistently.
Coach and develop employees, leaders, and teams on COS principles, Lean tools, and CI methodologies.
Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and team problem-solving activities.
Build alignment and engagement across teams to promote adoption of a continuous improvement culture.
Partner with plant leadership to improve accountability systems, meeting effectiveness, and operational discipline.
Mentor less experienced CI practitioners and support capability development across the organization.
Coordinate and collaborate in support of multi-site or enterprise-level improvement goals.
Build working relationships across functions and leadership levels to drive adoption and execution of CI initiatives.
Coach mid- to senior-level leaders, such as Plant Managers, Functional Directors, and Business Managers, on Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
Communicate project status, risks, results, and recommendations across organizational levels.
Support knowledge sharing and best-practice transfer across locations and teams.
Maintain alignment with COS standards while adapting approaches to business needs.
Partner with the COS Manager to make operational decisions consistent with COS standards.