Manager, Continuous Improvement

Job Description

Job Description

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading and driving continuous improvement initiatives across Koroseal's Louisville manufacturing facility. This role partners with leaders across operations to improve safety, quality, productivity, delivery, and cost through Lean manufacturing principles, structured problem solving, and data-driven decision making.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a manufacturing environment, enjoys coaching others, and is passionate about building a culture of continuous improvement. This position works closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, implement sustainable improvements, and support the company's operational objectives.

This is a full-time, on-site position based at our Louisville, KY manufacturing facility and reports to the President of Operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Continuous Improvement Leadership
  • Lead and champion plant-wide continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business objectives.
  • Drive Lean manufacturing practices, Six Sigma methodologies, and standardized work across operations.
  • Facilitate Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping exercises, and waste reduction initiatives.
  • Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs), visual management systems, and operational dashboards.
  • Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, delivery performance, and manufacturing costs.
  • Partner with Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and other functional teams to implement sustainable process improvements.
  • Coach, mentor, and develop leaders and Creators on continuous improvement tools and problem-solving techniques.
  • Promote a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Project & Process Improvement
  • Lead cross-functional improvement projects from identification through implementation and follow-up.
  • Coordinate Kaizen events, workshops, and structured improvement activities.
  • Develop business cases and return-on-investment analyses to support process improvement opportunities.
  • Support capital projects, equipment installations, and operational changes by ensuring efficient process design.
  • Monitor project performance, measure results, and communicate progress to leadership.
  • Standardize successful improvements through documentation, training, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Operational Excellence
  • Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
  • Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective action activities using structured problem-solving methodologies.
  • Ensure continuous improvement initiatives align with company safety, quality, and operational standards.
  • Recommend and implement best practices that improve overall plant performance.
  • Serve as a change leader by engaging stakeholders and driving adoption of new processes and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • All other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of manufacturing experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years leading continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects and influencing organizational change.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment.
• Frequent walking, standing, and climbing stairs throughout the facility.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to work around manufacturing equipment, noise, and varying temperatures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Experience with ERP systems, business intelligence tools, and project management software.
• Experience implementing Value Stream Mapping, 5S, SMED, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Single-Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED), and Kaizen methodologies.
• Experience supporting capital projects and manufacturing process optimization.

Koroseal Total Rewards:  

• Vacation time, personal time, and 11 paid holidays 
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance including a Flexible Savings Account
• Company paid Short Term Disability & Life Insurance with supplemental options available for employees
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid training and career development
• Employee well-being benefits including robust EAP offering
• Company events