Director, Continuous Improvement

Human Resources•Union, MO

18d

About The Position

The Director of Continuous Improvement partners with operations and site leadership to design, deploy, and oversee the organization’s operational excellence and continuous improvement strategies. The role aims to strengthen operational performance, reduce waste, improve process reliability, enhance customer satisfaction, and sustain measurable performance gains. As an enterprise-wide change agent, the Director challenges existing practices and introduces structured methods to optimize workflows and improve financial outcomes, bridging corporate strategy with frontline execution. The Director defines and executes a multi-year continuous improvement roadmap aligned with business objectives, promotes a culture of process excellence and accountability, and works with executive leadership to prioritize initiatives and manage change. The role applies Lean and Six Sigma methods to complex, cross-functional projects; connects operational results to financial outcomes; develops internal improvement capability through training and coaching; and establishes dashboards and analytical approaches to assess performance and guide recommendations. Performance is evaluated through project cost savings and avoidance, efficiency gains such as reduced lead times, defects, and waste, and employee training and adoption of continuous improvement activities. Work is primarily office-based, with regular visits to manufacturing areas and travel to other facilities or vendor locations, potentially including overnight stays. Site visits may involve exposure to noise, temperature variations, and industrial equipment; appropriate PPE and compliance with safety policies are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field.
7–10+ years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or corporate process optimization.
At least 3–5 years in a dedicated management or directorial capacity driving change, including without direct hierarchical authority.
Proficiency in Lean, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM), or Agile principles.
Advanced data analysis skills, including tools such as Minitab, Excel, or Power BI.
Experience with process mapping tools such as Visio or Lucidchart.
Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, conflict resolution, and storytelling skills to influence cross-functional teams.
Observation, analysis, and communication skills to support improvement initiatives.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, solve problems, and make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Use appropriate personal protective equipment in production areas and adhere to safety policies and procedures.
Ability to stand and walk frequently during manufacturing-area site visits.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 lbs. for job-related activities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or MBA.
Six Sigma Master Black Belt or Black Belt certification from an accredited body.
Lean certification, such as SME, AME, or an equivalent institutional certification.

Responsibilities

Define and execute a multi-year continuous improvement strategy aligned with business objectives.
Promote an enterprise-wide culture of process excellence, accountability, and innovation.
Collaborate with executive leadership to prioritize improvement projects and manage operational change.
Apply Lean and Six Sigma methods, including Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Root Cause Analysis, and Kaizen events, to eliminate waste.
Connect operational improvements, such as cycle time, capacity, and quality gains, to financial results.
Lead complex, high-impact projects spanning multiple business units or manufacturing sites.
Design and launch training programs to educate and certify internal Lean/Six Sigma champions.
Coach site-level continuous improvement leaders, plant managers, and frontline teams in structured problem-solving.
Develop performance dashboards and KPIs to measure the impact of improvement initiatives.
Use statistical tools to identify performance gaps and communicate recommendations clearly.
Share responsibility with plant and functional leaders for process improvement and operational performance.
Travel to additional facilities or vendor locations as needed.