Continuous Improvement Specialist

PPG•Springdale, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

PPG is hiring for a Continuous Improvement Specialist to join our team at our Springdale, PA Plant. In this position, you will assess and deploy CI strategies to improve site productivity, efficiency, and Lean Manufacturing maturity (Hoshin Kanri, Lean Management System). You will partner cross‑functionally with operations, engineering, EHS, and leadership to identify, implement, and sustain process improvements that drive measurable gains in productivity, quality, and cost performance. This will be an on-site position and you will report to the Operational Excellence Plant Leader.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, education, or other suitable technical field
1+ years proven experience with LSS/Continuous Improvement in a chemical / food / manufacturing environment
Process Engineering
Problem Solving
Training
Project Management
Change Management
Safety Management Systems
Quality Management Systems
Process Improvement

Responsibilities

Assess and support deployment of CI strategies that improve Lean Manufacturing maturity and site productivity, aligned with business priorities.
Identify, scope, and support CI projects; responsibilities include assisting with project selection, scope definition, launch activities, prioritization tracking, and deliverables.
Work closely with leaders, engineers, supervisors, and operators to implement CI projects and support adoption of CI methodologies.
Support the instruction, application, and sustainment of CI best practices, including Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC), Kaizen, 5S, GB/YB fundamentals, and Value Stream Mapping.
Participate in and support Kaizen activities, helping define action plans, document improvements, and track execution across departments.
Work directly with operators to support training, standard work development, and use of CI tools to improve manufacturing efficiency and productivity.
Assist with identifying performance gaps impacting productivity, flow, or quality and support root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Support development and maintenance of SOPs, work instructions, visual aids, and troubleshooting guides to improve process consistency and productivity.
Contribute to process and value stream mapping efforts across departments to identify waste and productivity improvement opportunities.
Support reliability and downtime reduction efforts through documentation, standardization, and operator engagement.
Manage PSM Element Operating Procedures (1910.119(f)) by owning written instructions for safe startup, operation, and shutdown.
Support PSM Element Employee Participation (1910.119(c)) by engaging operators in CI, documentation development, PHAs, and improvement activities.
Participate in PHA, MOC, audit preparation, and EHS‑related CI initiatives to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations.