Manager of Continuous Improvement

Detroit Manufacturing Systems•Auburn Hills, MI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Continuous Improvement leads the deployment and sustainment of continuous improvement (CI) initiatives across the organization. This role is responsible for driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale through the application of Lean, Six Sigma, and Daily Management System (DMS) principles. The position partners with cross-functional leaders to build capability, standardize processes, and embed a culture of continuous improvement that delivers sustainable operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or related field
5+ years of experience in manufacturing or operational environment
2+ years of experience leading continuous improvement initiatives or teams
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt required
Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
Experience with Daily Management Systems, Kaizen, and visual management
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without authority
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent communication and facilitation skills
Ability to translate strategy into actionable execution plans

Nice To Haves

Experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing preferred
Black Belt preferred

Responsibilities

Lead and execute continuous improvement strategy aligned to business objectives
Drive Kaizen events, problem-solving activities, and rapid improvement workshops
Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities across operations and support functions
Ensure implementation, tracking, and sustainment of improvement actions in alignment with CI processes (submission, review, approval, implementation, and feedback)
Support the rollout and maturity of Daily Management Systems across sites
Reinforce standard work, KPI alignment, visual management, and accountability routines
Partner with site leadership to ensure consistent execution and follow-up of action plans
Monitor performance metrics and escalate gaps to drive corrective actions
Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving tools (A3, 5 Why, root cause analysis)
Coach teams in data-driven decision-making and waste elimination methodologies
Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives
Train and mentor leaders and teams on CI tools, behaviors, and principles
Develop internal capability to create self-sustaining CI culture
Promote employee engagement in idea generation and continuous improvement participation
Track and report CI performance metrics (KPIs, savings, implementation rates, etc.)
Ensure alignment of initiatives to enterprise priorities and value creation
Provide visibility to leadership on progress, risks, and opportunities
Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to drive improvements
Facilitate communication and best practice sharing across sites
Ensure alignment with enterprise systems, policies, and continuous improvement standards