Manager, Productivity and Continuous Improvement

Armstrong World Industries•Macon, GA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This role leads productivity, strategic planning, and execution of key Plant Operations initiatives. The Manager will partner with Finance, Operational Excellence, and Manufacturing teams to achieve productivity, growth, and EBITDA targets. This position involves developing and managing a Lean and Continuous Improvement strategy focused on manufacturing excellence and process capability, driving company-wide improvements in plant reliability, scrap reduction, and productivity. The role also supports EHS strategy, regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, and a zero-injury culture. A multi-year productivity pipeline aligned to strategic goals will be built, and Agile and Lean Management Systems, including GEMBA walks, value stream mapping, policy deployment, and visual management, will be implemented. The Manager will lead operating plan execution across safety, quality, cost, productivity, and financial performance, and will develop and monitor strategic plans, KPIs, investment priorities, and improvement roadmaps. Additionally, the role involves developing and mentoring leaders in Lean tools such as SMED, Kaizen, TQM, TPM, and Poka Yoke, and directly supervising a team of 3–5 subject matter experts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Economics, Finance, or Business-related discipline required; or 8–10 years of relevant experience.
Experience with growth initiatives aligning market, customer, commercial, and operations disciplines.
Demonstrated executive communication skills with the ability to frame complex opportunities clearly and concisely.
Proven success building cross-functional teams and developing key talent.
Excellent interpersonal and people management skills.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and holistic problem-solving skills.
Effective change management leadership skills.
Broad business understanding, market knowledge, and business intuition.
Strong leadership, management, and collaboration skills to build and sustain a Lean culture.
Executive presence with clear, purposeful communication across all levels of the organization.
Proven ability to align teams, drive execution, and deliver measurable business results.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, data analysis, and project management skills.
Demonstrated change management ability to lead transformation and motivate cross-functional teams.
Applied knowledge of Agile, Lean Manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainability.
Ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment and build trust with internal and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
Lean Certification.
Successful transformational experience using Lean as the foundation for change.
Demonstrated bottom-line impact through step-change improvement.
Mastery of Lean tools with ability to identify opportunities, quantify ROI, and prioritize workstreams.
Experience setting stretch targets, building roadmaps, and driving rapid change.
Strong understanding of manufacturing and supply chain processes.

Responsibilities

Lead productivity, strategic planning, and execution of key Plant Operations initiatives.
Partner with Finance, Operational Excellence, and Manufacturing teams to achieve productivity, growth, and EBITDA targets.
Develop and manage Lean and Continuous Improvement strategy focused on manufacturing excellence and process capability.
Drive company-wide improvements in plant reliability, scrap reduction, and productivity.
Support EHS strategy, regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, and a zero-injury culture.
Build a multi-year productivity pipeline aligned to strategic goals.
Implement Agile and Lean Management Systems, including GEMBA walks, value stream mapping, policy deployment, and visual management.
Lead operating plan execution across safety, quality, cost, productivity, and financial performance.
Develop and monitor strategic plans, KPIs, investment priorities, and improvement roadmaps.
Develop and mentor leaders in Lean tools such as SMED, Kaizen, TQM, TPM, and Poka Yoke.
Directly supervise a team of 3–5 subject matter experts.