Lean Leader

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Lean Leader

Who will you be working with?

You will partner with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, quality, engineering, and operations to support safe, efficient, and high-quality production. This role collaborates closely with plant leadership and frontline teams to ensure manufacturing processes meet customer and business requirements while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

How will you make a difference?

As a member of the Manufacturing/Operations team, you will lead efforts to establish, optimize, and sustain manufacturing processes across assembly and machining environments. You will play a critical leadership role in ensuring the safe delivery of quality products on time by driving lean transformation, improving equipment reliability, and implementing innovative technologies. This role supports site performance by advancing process capability, strengthening operational discipline, and ensuring compliance with manufacturing standards. You will regularly communicate performance metrics and improvement plans to leadership while developing strategies to enhance safety, quality, delivery, and cost outcomes.

What do we want to know about you?

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline
• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in mechanical assembly, machining, and welding environments
• At least 5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing setting
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9000 quality systems, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, and QRQC methodologies
• Demonstrated experience in root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
• Proven project management experience and financial acumen
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Experience driving process and quality improvements

Preferred Qualifications:

• AWS D1.1 and/or IPC620 certification or experience
• Six Sigma or Shainin certification
• Demonstrated success leading lean transformation initiatives using industry-standard tools
• Experience with product run-off, equipment validation, and Gage R&R studies
• Electrical assembly experience
• Hydraulic and pneumatic assembly experience

What will your typical day look like?

• Lead lean transformation initiatives to improve manufacturing flow and operational efficiency
• Champion a customer-focused culture across the manufacturing organization
• Implement and monitor Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs to maximize equipment uptime
• Develop and maintain processes that improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance
• Support specification development for equipment, products, and alternative materials
• Facilitate cross-functional problem solving using structured methodologies (A3, 8D, DMAIC).
• Ensure integration of Lean principles into new product introduction (NPI), engineering changes, and capital projects.
• Manage and maintain the site capital expenditure process
• Identify, evaluate, and implement new manufacturing technologies
• Ensure compliance with special process standards including brazing, crimping, painting, torque, and welding
• Develop, track, and present key performance indicators (KPIs) to leadership
• Lead and develop team members to support operational goals
• Perform other duties as assigned

What about the physical demands of the job?

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this role, with reasonable accommodations available as needed.

• Frequent standing and walking in a manufacturing environment
• Occasional squatting and kneeling
• Ability to lift between 10 and 50 pounds
• Exposure to a production environment, including noise, equipment, and varying temperatures

You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary.

Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility requirements are met.

Wabtec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).

Additional Information

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $104800-149300. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.