Lean Senior Manager - Nidec Power Americas

Nidec Motor Corporation • Mankato, MN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Nidec is the world's No.1 comprehensive motor manufacturer. This role is responsible for leading the development, deployment, and sustainability of Lean thinking, tools, and culture across the division. The Lean Senior Manager drives operational excellence by partnering with site leaders, operations teams, and cross-functional partners to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement. This role serves as the division’s subject matter expert on Lean methodologies and continuous improvement, ensuring alignment with enterprise operating systems and strategic priorities.

Requirements

• 8 – 12+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or continuous improvement roles.
• 5+ years applying Lean methodology in an operational environment.
• Experience in multi-site or divisional operations strongly desired.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or relate field (Master’s preferred).
• Expert knowledge of Lean tools (VSM, SMED, 5S, Standard Work, TPM, Kanban, Kaizen, Root Cause).
• Strong coaching, facilitation, and change leadership skills.
• Ability to influence leaders without direct authority.
• Strong analytical, data-driven, and strategic problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple sites, priorities, and complex initiatives.

Nice To Haves

• Prior leadership of Lean/CI teams preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt Certified
• Certified Lean Practitioner or equivalent
• Certifications in problem-solving or operational excellence frameworks
• Master’s degree

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and execution of the division’s Lean strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate operational excellence initiatives.
• Develop and deploy a Lean Operating System including standardized tools, behaviors, and processes.
• Establish annual Lean roadmaps, priorities, and performance targets across the division.
• Facilitate maturity assessments and lead efforts to elevate organizational capability.
• Drive kaizen activities, value-stream mapping, problem-solving events, and rapid improvement workshops.
• Mentor teams to apply structured problem-solving (A3, 5-Why, PDCA) to eliminate waste and improve process performance.
• Partner with site and functional leaders to identify high-impact opportunities that improve throughput, reduce cost, and strengthen quality and safety.
• Ensure CI projects are resourced, executed, tracked, and sustained.
• Lead standardization efforts for best practices, work systems, and performance management routines across sites.
• Support deployment of Lean methods in manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and office/administrative environments.
• Implement and sustain visual management, tiered accountability, and daily management systems.
• Monitor KPIs and analytics to identify systemic gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Build Lean capability at all levels – from front-line associates to leadership.
• Deliver training on Lean principles, tools, and behaviors.
• Coach leaders to model Lead leadership, including Gemba walks, coaching kata, and effective problem solving.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, employee empowerment, and learning-by-doing.
• Lead change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of Lean practices.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, HR and Finance to embed Lean into major initiatives.
• Influence senior leaders with data-driven insights and prioritized improvement recommendations.
• Support transformation initiatives such as digital manufacturing, automation, and productivity programs.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: Attractive salary with additional bonus opportunities.
• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective from your first day.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a best-in-class company match of 100% on the employee’s first 6% with an additional 3% employer contribution.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous time off package, including PTO and holidays.
• Education Assistance: Tuition reimbursement and continuous learning opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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