Continuous Improvement Specialist
COLTS MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC•West Hartford, CT
•$650,000 - $850,000•Onsite
About The Position
We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Continuous Improvement Specialist with a strong foundation in Lean principles to support operational excellence within manufacturing operations. This role will focus on improving safety, quality, delivery, and cost through structured problem-solving, waste elimination, and data-driven process improvement initiatives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field; or equivalent work experience
- Academic or internship experience with Lean Manufacturing principles.
- Basic knowledge of Six Sigma tools and structured problem-solving methods.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; familiarity with ERP/MRP systems is a plus.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally.
- Ability to spend extended time on the manufacturing floor.
Nice To Haves
- Lean certification (Yellow Belt or similar).
- Internship or co-op experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Exposure to CNC machining, precision assembly, or metal fabrication.
- Experience participating in Kaizen events or improvement projects.
Responsibilities
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across machining, assembly, finishing, and support functions.
- Assist in leading Lean events (Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, SMED, etc.).
- Identify and eliminate waste (overproduction, waiting, transportation, overprocessing, inventory, motion, defects).
- Analyze production data to identify trends, bottlenecks, scrap drivers, and throughput constraints.
- Develop and maintain Standard Work documentation.
- Support root cause analysis using tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, and A3 problem-solving.
- Track and report KPIs including OEE, First Pass Yield, Scrap Rate, On-Time Delivery, and Labor Efficiency.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to improve process capability and product flow.
- Assist with layout improvements and workflow optimization.
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement on the production floor.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
