Continuous Improvement Manager
Direct Hire with Company Benefits
Location
Rockford, IL area
Summary
TES Recruiting is partnering with a growing manufacturer seeking a hands-on Continuous Improvement Manager to build and sustain a Lean operating system across a complex custom equipment manufacturing environment.
We are seeking a proven Lean leader who has successfully built Lean systems from the ground up, improved operational performance, and created sustainable cultures of accountability and continuous improvement. (Someone that has experience building a system is critical.)
The successful candidate will work across engineering, scheduling, procurement, warehouse, fabrication, assembly, and leadership teams to improve on-time delivery, streamline operations, and establish world-class business processes.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Building and sustaining a Lean Business System across the organization.
- Improving on-time delivery through better planning, scheduling, kitting, material flow, and execution.
- Driving 5S, visual management, leader standard work, and daily accountability systems.
- Implementing cellular manufacturing and improving production flow.
- Streamlining the entire Order-to-Cash process.
- Leading Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement initiatives.
- Developing standard work, formal training systems, and problem-solving disciplines.
- Improving warehouse, stockroom, inventory, and material management processes.
- Partnering with engineering and operations teams to improve product flow from design release through final assembly.
- Building internal Lean capability by coaching leaders and developing Continuous Improvement champions.
- Strong knowledge of Lean and implementing lean principles: 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Daily Management Systems, Problem Solving, Material Flow, Cellular Manufacturing, Visual Management, Policy Deployment / Hoshin Planning
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
- 7+ years of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence experience.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt strongly preferred; Master Black Belt a plus.
- Demonstrated success implementing Lean systems from the ground up.
- Experience leading Kaizen events and driving measurable operational improvements.
- Experience influencing change without direct authority.
- Experience working in engineer-to-order, custom equipment, project-based, or high-mix manufacturing environments highly preferred.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is not someone who has simply worked within a mature Lean system. We are looking for a builder; someone who has entered challenging environments, established structure, developed teams, improved execution, and delivered measurable business results.
This opportunity is ideal for a Continuous Improvement professional seeking a highly visible role with the opportunity to make a significant impact on operational performance and company growth.
