Director of Continuous Improvement

Silgan Plastics • Brookfield, WI

10d

About The Position

Silgan Containers is seeking a Director of Continuous Improvement to establish and lead its Continuous Improvement function from Brookfield, Wisconsin. This highly visible enterprise-level role will develop the organization’s Continuous Improvement strategy, strengthen Lean manufacturing capabilities, and partner with plant and senior leaders to improve safety, quality, cost, throughput, and operational performance across a multi-plant manufacturing network.

The Director will lead Continuous Improvement Specialists, guide the Continuous Improvement Steering Committee, develop Lean training and management systems, and help manufacturing teams turn improvement opportunities into measurable, sustainable results. The role includes approximately 30% travel to manufacturing sites.

Requirements

• 10 or more years of progressive operations leadership experience, including responsibility for Lean manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, operational excellence, or Six Sigma initiatives.
• Experience leading Lean implementation teams or Continuous Improvement programs across a multi-plant manufacturing organization.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing Lean principles, systems, and processes that produce sustainable operational improvements.
• Hands-on experience applying Continuous Improvement tools in a high-speed manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading people and multiple cross-functional teams while managing concurrent projects, milestones, and deliverables.
• Strong problem-solving, project leadership, coaching, facilitation, and change management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with employees and leaders from the manufacturing floor through the executive level.
• Ability to travel approximately 30% to Silgan Containers manufacturing locations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience building a Continuous Improvement or operational excellence function, governance model, training program, and performance tracking system.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or comparable expertise in structured problem solving and process improvement.
• Experience improving production throughput, changeover performance, equipment reliability, cost, and plant operating results.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a Continuous Improvement organization focused on improving manufacturing operations across a multi-plant network.
• Develop, implement, and track the organization’s multi-year Continuous Improvement strategy and roadmap.
• Lead the Continuous Improvement Steering Committee and partner with senior management and plant leadership on priorities, progress, and results.
• Lead, coach, and develop Continuous Improvement Specialists who support manufacturing plants.
• Apply Lean manufacturing methods, including 5S and Visual Factory, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Kaizen events, Quick Changeover and SMED, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Provide hands-on leadership for concurrent improvement projects through structured problem solving, facilitation, and disciplined execution.
• Advance the operational excellence system by strengthening process discipline, standard work, and adoption of Continuous Improvement tools.
• Partner with manufacturing teams to identify and deliver cost savings, production throughput improvements, waste reduction, and process optimization.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, tracking tools, reporting processes, and governance routines to measure progress against Continuous Improvement goals.
• Create and manage Lean training materials specific to Silgan Containers and support capability building across the manufacturing organization.
• Communicate Continuous Improvement performance, project status, risks, and results to plant leaders and senior management.
• Travel to manufacturing sites to lead and support Continuous Improvement activities, approximately 30% of the time.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, life insurance, and disability benefits.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
• Enterprise-level leadership opportunity within one of North America’s largest metal food packaging manufacturers.
• Collaborative, inclusive workplace focused on innovation, continuous improvement, employee development, and operational excellence.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed