Regional Continuous Improvement Manager - Central Coverage

Valmont Industries, Inc. • Elkhart, IN

13d • Remote

About The Position

The Regional Continuous Improvement Manager drives, facilitates, and enables operational excellence by implementing continuous improvement methodologies across Valmont sites. The role promotes customer focus, simplicity, agility, accountability, and a sustainable culture of continuous improvement, supporting the productivity and strategic objectives of facilities in the assigned area.

The position identifies and removes performance obstacles, helps teams resolve conflicts, and trains and coaches managers, supervisors, staff, and CI practitioners in methodologies such as Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance, Standard Work, Kanban, SMED, Theory of Constraints, and Voice of the Customer. Its primary focus is generating and executing production savings, leading high-impact improvement projects, and mentoring leaders to embed CI principles into daily operations.

This is a remote position with heavy travel in support of southern sites. When not traveling, the employee must be seated at or near Indiana, Houston, Texas, or Omaha, Nebraska. Proximity to a major airport is required. Domestic travel is expected to be 50–75%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 or more years of relevant experience, or an associate degree and 10 or more years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, or continuous improvement.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Visio, and CI project management tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in multiple CI methodologies, such as Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, Theory of Constraints, or Business Process Improvement.
• Ability to lead a value stream mapping workshop and facilitate data-based improvement actions to ensure flow.
• Track record of leading cross-functional improvement projects and delivering measurable business results.
• Solid understanding of production processes, cost drivers, and operational metrics.
• Effective facilitation skills and ability to engage employees at all levels.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and strategic planning abilities.
• Ability to travel domestically 50–75%.
• Proximity to a major airport and ability to be seated at or near Indiana, Houston, Texas, or Omaha, Nebraska when not traveling.

Nice To Haves

• Professional certification in one or more CI methodologies, such as Toyota Production Systems, Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt, or TPM.
• Experience in strategy deployment, enterprise-level CI programs, and culture-change leadership.
• Commitment to lifelong learning in Continuous Improvement and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and coach continuous improvement events, coordinate activities across teams, support groups, and management, and remove barriers to global performance.
• Lead cross-functional teams in developing and improving business processes, architecture, requirements, change management, and performance metrics.
• Diagnose workflow impediments and recommend appropriate continuous improvement methods to eliminate waste and reduce variation.
• Guide site leaders, managers, and CI practitioners in applying CI principles and leadership behaviors that build a culture of excellence.
• Define and facilitate improvement activities using the PDCA cycle and other CI frameworks aligned with site strategic roadmaps.
• Coach sites to drive improvements and improve standard work to increase customer value and operational agility.
• Establish, track, and communicate CI-related metrics and clear reporting for stakeholders.
• Determine resource requirements, training needs, and internal control procedures aligned with organizational objectives.
• Facilitate TPM workshops, Standard Work design sessions, SMED projects, root cause analyses, and value stream transformations in manufacturing and administrative areas.
• Mentor and coach teams to navigate ambiguity, develop problem-solving capabilities, and sustain improvements.
• Build strong relationships at all organizational levels and work independently and collaboratively.
• Serve as a customer-focused leader and change agent in the transformation process.
• Organize and manage multiple priorities, meet aggressive deadlines, and maintain high-quality standards.
• Partner with the Director of Operations to develop the Regional Continuous Improvement Roadmap and align CI initiatives with business goals and long-term strategy.
• Disseminate CI knowledge through regular formal and informal training and teachable moments.
• Identify training needs and support the development of CI capabilities across the organization.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage, including medical, prescription drugs, dental, and vision.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, including maternity leave.
• Work Life Support.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year.
• Voluntary programs, including tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, and mortgage services.

What This Job Offers

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