Continuous Improvement Manager

Position Summary As a Continuous Improvement Manager, you will serve as the strategic leader and driving force behind operational excellence across multiple business units. You will own, lead, and execute the full Continuous Improvement (CI) Deployment plan across multiple of our high‑mix, low‑volume sites, enabling them to achieve targets across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and efficiency. In this managerial role, you will build and nurture a CI culture from the floor to the leadership team. You will directly manage CI project pipelines, lead cross‑functional improvement events, develop internal CI capabilities through coaching and training, and align improvement strategy with the Company's broader business objectives. You will leverage advanced Lean tools, data‑driven analysis, and strong change management skills to eliminate waste, optimize workflows, and deliver sustainable results. You will work in close partnership with Site General Managers. This position reports to the Director of Continuous Improvement, contributing directly to strategic growth, competitive positioning, and customer satisfaction. The right candidate will spend 75% of their time on the manufacturing floor problem solving, coaching, highlighting and eliminating process wastes. Qualifications & Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related technical discipline 7+ years of progressive experience in continuous improvement, operational excellence, or manufacturing engineering roles, with at least 2 years in a CI managerial or team lead capacity Automotive, Aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing (medical device, space) experience strongly preferred Experience in high‑mix, low‑volume manufacturing operations is a plus Lean certification required; Lean Practitioner certification or equivalent strongly preferred Demonstrated success in Lean transformation at multiple sites Hands‑on experience deploying Daily Tiered Accountability, Leader Standard Work and Process Confirmation Proven experience leading Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Pull Systems, and cellular manufacturing implementations Highly competent in leading teams in problem solving and mistake proofing Proficiency with data analysis using Microsoft Excel Hands‑on experience with material replenishment and flow Strong program and project management skills; ability to manage and prioritize a portfolio of concurrent improvement initiatives Demonstrated ability to influence, motivate, and lead without direct authority across all levels of the organization Excellent communication and executive presentation skills Proven track record of building CI capability through training, coaching, and mentoring employees at all levels Change management experience with the ability to drive cultural transformation in a manufacturing setting Self‑directed and results‑oriented, with a strong bias for action and accountability Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) to comply with ITAR regulations Responsibilities (Are You Our Next ACE?) Execute a comprehensive Continuous Improvement roadmap aligned with strategic objectives, to help achieving Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost metrics Partner with site General Managers to identify, prioritize, and resource improvement initiatives based on business impact, customer requirements, and strategic growth goals Build and manage a CI project pipeline, ensuring consistent execution, governance, and measurable financial returns Benchmark internal and external best practices; identify and adopt proven methodologies to advance the Company’s competitive position Generate regular executive‑level reports and dashboards on CI program status, financial benefits, and key metrics trends Lead and facilitate Kaizen events, rapid improvement workshops, using lean tools such as value stream mapping, 5S, Standard Work, Visual Factory, Problem Solving, Mistake Proofing, Cell Design and Material Replenishment and Flow Deploy, support and mature Daily Tiered Accountability Process at multiple sites Design and optimize factory layouts and workstation configurations Create visual management systems including production boards, KPI dashboards, Andon systems, and performance tracking displays Lead Continuous Improvement projects at multiple sites Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) using tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, Pareto Analysis, and FMEA to identify and address systemic issues Establish baseline metrics, set improvement targets, and measure results to validate the effectiveness of improvement initiatives Use A3 problem‑solving methodology to document problems, analyze root causes, develop countermeasures, and standardize solutions Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs), including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), First Pass Yield (FPY), Scrap Rate, Cycle Time, Lead Time, Inventory Turns, and Labor Productivity Partner with the leadership team to identify improvement priorities based on business impact, customer requirements, and strategic growth initiatives Lead, coach, and develop cross‑functional improvement teams, including members from Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Maintenance Deliver training programs on Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement tools for employees at all level Coach and mentor team members in applying improvement methodologies to daily work, developing their problem‑solving capabilities, and a continuous improvement mindset Champion and sustain a culture of continuous improvement where all employees are engaged, empowered, and recognized for contributing to improvements Calculate and report the financial impact of improvement initiatives, including cost savings, cost avoidance, productivity gains, and quality improvements Comply with all company policies and procedures Perform other duties as assigned Systems You’ll Use Google Workspace SmartView Salesforce ADP Syspro QMS Planful Pay Transparency Winchester Interconnect Corporation is committed to pay transparency. The pay range for this position is $140,000 – $190,000 per year . Exact salary will be contingent upon your experience, education, skills, and any other factors Winchester Interconnect Corporation considers relevant to the hiring decision. Equal Opportunity Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. In addition to federal law requirements, Winchester Interconnect complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Winchester Interconnect expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr