Lead Continuous Improvement Partner

Rivian•Normal, IL

About The Position

The Lead Continuous Improvement Partner will lead and execute the strategic development and deployment of the Rivian Production System (RPS) across corporate operations. This role is a key individual contributor who will drive a culture of operational excellence and ensure alignment between continuous improvement initiatives and overall business objectives. This role reports to the Sr. Manager of Continuous Improvement.

Requirements

6+ years of industry experience in a manufacturing operations or continuous improvement role.
A minimum of 3 years in a leadership or management position directly leading a team or major projects.
A bachelor's degree is preferred in a technical field (e.g., Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain Management) or related discipline.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is required.
Strong, demonstrable history of leading and completing complex Lean and Six Sigma projects.
Proven ability to lead and influence without direct authority in a "team of teams" organizational structure.
Experience in change management and a track record of driving cultural shifts is highly desirable.
Proven ability to solve ambiguous, cross-functional problems and develop a clear, executable plan.
Ability to think strategically about how to scale continuous improvement efforts across a growing organization.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively influence and collaborate with all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

A Master's degree is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead and influence cross-functional teams (up to 4 members) on a project basis, guiding them to successful outcomes without direct reporting authority.
Partner with senior leadership to develop a long-term strategy for the Rivian Production System, translating business goals into actionable continuous improvement projects, and overseeing their deployment.
Use Value Stream Mapping to analyze current processes, identify opportunities for waste reduction and efficiency gains, and champion a mindset of "go-to-gemba" to ensure improvement efforts are grounded in direct observation.
Provide advanced coaching to manufacturing leaders and team members on complex problem-solving (e.g., using Six Sigma tools) and data-driven decision-making.
Own the continuous improvement framework and collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, establish, and audit standards for processes and documentation.
Be a visible leader in promoting accountability and a continuous improvement culture across the organization, ensuring projects are effective and sustainably adopted.