Manager, Continuous Improvement
About The Position
The Manager, Continuous Improvement (CI) leads the site’s CI organization and drives the development, execution, and sustainment of improvement programs to unlock capacity and support growth. The role leads and develops the CI team, builds site-wide CI capability through Yellow Belt and Green Belt programs, and serves as the site’s representative and lead within the global CI network as needed. The position partners with manufacturing and cross-functional leaders, including engineering, supply chain, quality, and DTI, to identify and execute improvement priorities. This position combines people leadership, CI capability building, strategic program leadership, cross-functional influence, and operational improvement to strengthen the site’s continuous improvement culture and deliver measurable business results. The manager leads data-driven improvements in manufacturing throughput, capacity, reliability, process flow, efficiency, quality, and equipment utilization, and helps embed structured problem-solving and employee participation into everyday operations.
Requirements
- Meet one of the following education and experience combinations: doctorate; master’s degree plus 3 years of experience in Manufacturing, Facilities/Engineering, or Quality in pharmaceutical, medical device, or biotechnology companies; bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of such experience; associate’s degree plus 10 years of such experience; or high school diploma/GED plus 12 years of experience in Manufacturing, Packaging, or Quality in pharmaceutical, medical device, or biotechnology companies.
- Have experience directly managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams, projects, or programs, or directing allocation of resources; this experience may be concurrent with the required technical experience.
- Ability to analyze operational data, identify improvement opportunities, and clearly communicate findings and recommendations.
- Strong collaboration and facilitation skills, including engaging frontline colleagues and partnering with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and other functions.
Nice To Haves
- Hands-on experience in front-line manufacturing, facilities, equipment engineering, or manufacturing support within a GMP-regulated environment.
- Demonstrated CI and AI (CI 2.0) mindset, including identifying opportunities, questioning existing practices, and implementing practical, sustainable process or systems improvements.
- Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma structured problem-solving, or root-cause analysis to improve manufacturing performance, quality, reliability, or process efficiency.
- Experience coaching colleagues, facilitating improvement activities, or leading project teams; prior direct people-management experience is a plus.
- Lean or Six Sigma training or certification, preferably Green Belt; practical application and demonstrated results are valued.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop the CI team in Lean, Six Sigma structured problem-solving, project management, facilitation, and change management.
- Align CI team priorities and resources with site objectives, set expectations for execution and sustainment, and foster accountability and measurable results.
- Partner with site and functional leaders to translate manufacturing challenges and site objectives into a prioritized CI portfolio.
- Lead complex cross-functional programs and establish portfolio governance, including ownership, milestones, success measures, escalation, and leadership reporting.
- Coordinate Yellow Belt and Green Belt programs, aligning course planning, participants, instructors, and subject-matter experts with site development needs.
- Coach and mentor employees in applying consistent Lean and Six Sigma problem-solving methods to business challenges.
- Lead data-driven improvements in manufacturing throughput, capacity, reliability, process flow, efficiency, quality, and equipment utilization.
- Use structured problem-solving to identify root causes and prioritize opportunities; track performance and benefits and replicate successful improvements across manufacturing areas.
- Champion employee participation in CI and embed data-driven problem-solving, root-cause analysis, experimentation, standardization, and learning into everyday operations.
- Recognize and communicate CI successes and business impact to strengthen engagement and broaden improvement ownership.
- Represent and lead for the site within the global CI network as needed.
Benefits
- Retirement and Savings Plan with company contributions
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Life and disability insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Discretionary annual bonus program, or a sales-based incentive plan for field sales representatives
- Stock-based long-term incentives
- Award-winning time-off plans
- Flexible work models, including remote and hybrid arrangements where possible
- Career development opportunities
- Health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents
- Financial plans with opportunities to save for retirement or other goals
- Work/life balance support
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
