Continuous Improvement Manager

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SKC Administration Full Time Management Columbia, SC, US

Position Summary
The Continuous Improvement Manager leads the development and deployment of Shakespeare Company's operational excellence system across manufacturing, warehouse, supply chain and supporting functions. This position partners with business and functional leaders to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, material flow, inventory performance and cost through Lean methods, disciplined daily management and structured problem solving. The role serves as a hands-on change agent who builds internal capability, establishes sustainable standards and converts improvement opportunities into measurable financial and operational results.

Essential Functions

Develop and execute the company's continuous-improvement roadmap in alignment with business priorities, customer requirements and financial objectives.
Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Finance and Human Resources to identify, prioritize and deliver cross-functional improvement initiatives.
Lead value-stream mapping, Kaizen events, 5S, workplace organization, standard work, visual management, flow, pull, setup reduction and waste-elimination activities.
Establish and strengthen tiered daily management, KPI reviews, visual performance boards, escalation routines, leader standard work and gemba walks.
Facilitate structured problem solving using methods such as A3, PDCA, 8D, root-cause analysis, Pareto analysis and cause-and-effect analysis.
Improve process stability, throughput, labor productivity, overall equipment effectiveness, schedule attainment, material yield, scrap, rework, inventory accuracy, on-time delivery and conversion cost.
Work with Supply Chain and Operations to improve SIOP execution, production planning, materials flow, warehouse processes, inventory controls and ERP transaction discipline.
Develop project charters, baselines, milestones, owners, risks and benefit calculations; partner with Finance to validate savings and report realized results.
Create and maintain operational scorecards and dashboards that provide timely visibility to safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory and workforce performance.
Build continuous-improvement capability by training, coaching and mentoring leaders, supervisors and employees in Lean principles, problem solving and data-based decision making.
Ensure improvements are sustained through documented standards, training, audits, process ownership, control plans and follow-up reviews.
Support capital-project justification and implementation by evaluating process capability, labor impact, flow, capacity, quality, safety and expected financial return.
Promote employee involvement by creating practical mechanisms for teams to identify problems, test countermeasures and recognize implemented improvements.
Provide leadership with clear project updates, barriers, decisions required and measured results.
Perform other duties and lead additional operational excellence priorities as assigned.

Secondary Functions

The ability to read and understand documents, specifications, contracts and business data and to perform mathematical calculations.
The ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with employees, suppliers, customers and cross-functional partners.
The ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and maintain accurate records.
The ability to use sound judgment, follow direction and handle confidential or commercially sensitive information appropriately.
The ability to work in office, manufacturing, warehouse and supplier environments as business needs require.

Position Specifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain or a related field is preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
A minimum of 5 years of progressive manufacturing, operations or continuous-improvement experience is required, including demonstrated leadership of cross-functional improvement projects.
Demonstrated experience applying Lean methods in an industrial manufacturing environment is required.
Working knowledge of value-stream mapping, Kaizen facilitation, 5S, standard work, visual management, setup reduction, root-cause analysis and performance-management systems is required.
Demonstrated ability to quantify improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory, scrap, lead time or cost is required.
Strong project-management, facilitation, change-leadership, coaching and presentation skills are required.
Strong data-analysis skills and proficiency with Microsoft Excel and business reporting tools are required; experience using ERP/MRP data to identify and validate improvements is preferred.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt is preferred; Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent advanced Lean certification is strongly preferred.
Experience in polymer processing, extrusion, composites, fiberglass assembly, military, aerospace, telecommunications or other regulated manufacturing is preferred.
Experience supporting multiple business units, plants or product lines is preferred.
The ability to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor and travel periodically to other business locations is required.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of responsibilities for this position, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. Company management may assign other relevant, business-related duties.

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