Project Manager of Lean Excellence
About The Position
The Project Manager of Lean Excellence will drive scalable operational improvement across the Containerboard business through lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and disciplined execution. This hands-on change agent partners with mill teams to deploy lean tools and methodologies, lead Kaizen events, and embed standard work and problem-solving capabilities into daily operations. The role requires 90% travel and significant direct manufacturing experience using and leading continuous improvement tools, systems, and methodologies. The successful candidate is a proven shop floor leader who can influence others, coach teams, and deliver measurable gains in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of continuous manufacturing experience with proven change leadership skills.
- Demonstrated success utilizing and deploying lean tools.
- Strong analytical, facilitation, coaching, and change leadership skills.
- Ability to influence without formal authority across multiple functions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, operations management, or a related field (preferred).
Responsibilities
- Implement lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Standard Work, Visual Management, SMED, and Value Stream Mapping.
- Drive waste elimination, process-flow optimization, and variation reduction.
- Facilitate structured problem solving using A3, DMAIC, 5-Why, RCFA, and similar methodologies.
- Deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Use data to identify performance gaps versus best practices and work with mill teams to execute improvement plans.
- Document best practices and share improvements to leverage results.
- Understand and apply financial drivers and key performance indicators.
- Assist with implementing and managing systems that sustain improvement efforts.
- Lead and coach continuous improvement events and Kaizen through hands-on participation.
- Assist with developing and delivering training materials in multiple formats so team members throughout the organization are trained in continuous improvement concepts and philosophy.
- Evaluate and drive opportunities for appropriate continuous improvement and lean tool applications.
- Provide support, assistance, and communication to mill leadership teams regarding continuous improvement initiatives.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Short-term and long-term disability
- 401(k)
- Company-funded retirement contributions
- Paid Time Off
- Education and development, including tuition reimbursement
- Student loan repayment assistance
- Voluntary benefits, including home, auto, vision, and pet insurance
- Leadership training
- Promotional opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
