Director, Continuous Improvement

DP World • United States,

7h • $153,000 - $200,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Director, Continuous Improvement is responsible for developing and executing the organization's Continuous Improvement strategy across all logistics operations. This leader drives operational excellence through Lean, Six Sigma, process optimization, engineering design, digital transformation, and launch support initiatives that improve safety, quality, service, productivity, and financial performance. The Director partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, Finance, IT, HR, Safety, and Project Management teams to standardize best practices, optimize operational processes, support new business implementations, engineer scalable logistics solutions, and build a culture of continuous improvement across the logistics network.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Business or a related field
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in logistics, supply chain, engineering, or operations
• 7+ years leading Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Engineering, or Business Transformation initiatives
• Demonstrated success leading multi-site logistics operations, startup implementations, process engineering, and enterprise transformation programs
• Experience supporting customer implementations, facility startups, automation projects, and network optimization

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or MBA preferred
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• APICS/ASCM (CSCP or CPIM)
• Lean Enterprise Certification
• Prosci Change Management Certification

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the enterprise Continuous Improvement strategy aligned with organizational objectives
• Establish a culture of operational excellence through Lean thinking, employee engagement, and disciplined problem solving
• Develop a multi-year roadmap that aligns improvement initiatives with strategic growth and customer objectives
• Champion continuous improvement as a core business capability across all logistics operations
• Serve as the organizational subject matter expert for Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, and business transformation
• Lead enterprise-wide process improvement initiatives across warehousing, transportation, distribution, inventory management, cross-docking, fulfillment, and value-added services
• Analyze operational performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity, service, quality, safety, and cost efficiency
• Eliminate waste, reduce process variation, and standardize best practices across the logistics network
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping workshops, Rapid Improvement Events, and cross-functional improvement initiatives
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies including DMAIC, PDCA, A3 Thinking, Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, and Fishbone Analysis
• Partner with Commercial, Operations, Engineering, and Project Management teams to support successful customer implementations, facility startups, network expansions, and operational transitions
• Develop standardized launch and operational readiness processes to ensure successful go-live execution
• Lead operational readiness assessments, process validation, risk mitigation, and startup support activities
• Coordinate cross-functional launch plans, including staffing, training, systems readiness, operational procedures, and performance expectations
• Monitor launch performance through defined KPIs and lead stabilization efforts to achieve operational readiness and customer satisfaction
• Conduct post-launch reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future implementations and standardized methodologies
• Partner with Logistics Engineering to develop scalable, efficient, and standardized logistics solutions
• Support warehouse layout design, material flow optimization, storage strategies, slotting, capacity planning, and process engineering initiatives
• Evaluate labor models, engineered standards, automation technologies, equipment selection, and workflow optimization
• Provide operational expertise during solution design for customer proposals and business development initiatives
• Collaborate with Engineering and IT to implement and optimize Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Labor Management Systems (LMS), robotics, automation, and digital technologies
• Validate engineered solutions through pilot testing, simulations, operational readiness reviews, and post-implementation performance evaluations
• Ensure engineering designs incorporate Lean principles, safety standards, quality requirements, sustainability objectives, and future scalability
• Establish and manage operational performance dashboards that measure key business metrics including: Productivity, Labor Efficiency, Throughput, Cost per Unit, Inventory Accuracy, Order Accuracy, Order Cycle Time, Dock-to-Stock Time, Capacity Utilization, On-Time Delivery, Customer Service, Quality Performance
• Drive performance reviews with operational leadership and develop corrective action plans where necessary
• Develop standardized operating procedures, work instructions, engineering standards, and best practices across all logistics operations
• Establish governance for process documentation and operational compliance
• Promote consistency and operational discipline across multiple facilities
• Partner with IT and Engineering to implement technology-enabled process improvements
• Support deployment and optimization of WMS, TMS, LMS, ERP systems, Business Intelligence platforms, automation, AI, and robotics
• Utilize data analytics and visualization tools to improve operational decision-making and business performance
• Lead a portfolio of enterprise-wide Continuous Improvement and operational transformation projects
• Develop business cases, financial analyses, ROI calculations, and implementation plans
• Prioritize improvement initiatives based on strategic value and operational impact
• Track project execution, benefits realization, and long-term sustainability
• Lead organizational change initiatives supporting operational transformation and business growth
• Develop stakeholder engagement and communication strategies to drive adoption
• Coach leaders and frontline teams on Continuous Improvement methodologies and change management practices
• Lead, mentor, and develop Continuous Improvement Managers, Engineers, and Operational Excellence professionals
• Build organizational capability through Lean, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement training programs
• Establish coaching, certification, and knowledge-sharing programs to sustain a culture of continuous improvement
• Identify and deliver measurable cost reduction, productivity improvement, and operational efficiency initiatives
• Improve labor utilization, asset productivity, and network efficiency
• Track realized financial benefits from Continuous Improvement initiatives and support annual productivity planning
• Partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, HR, Safety, Quality, and IT to deliver integrated business solutions
• Facilitate enterprise-wide collaboration to achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction
• Promote a safety-first culture by integrating safety into all process improvement and engineering initiatives
• Ensure compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards
• Support sustainability and ESG initiatives through waste reduction, energy efficiency, and resource optimization

Benefits

• Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle and other benefits and perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing
• This position may be eligible for either short-term incentives or sales compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director