Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement

DSV - Global Transport and Logistics

At DSV, our purpose is to keep customers' supply chains flowing and enable the business of our customers by ensuring reliable and efficient transport and logistics services through storage and transport of goods by air, sea and road. Our vision is to create long-term, sustainable growth and value for our customers, employees, shareholders and society.


Close to 150,000 employees in over 90 countries work diligently to deliver great customer experiences and high-quality services.


As a global leader, our commitment to sustainable business practices is a central element of our overall business strategy.


Visit dsv.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Location: USA - Independence, 710 Clymer Ct


Division: Solutions
Job Posting Title: Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement
Time Type: Full Time

Shift: This role can be based in Salt Lake City, UT, Dallas, TX or Independence, KY locations.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement will lead the design, deployment, and governance of the Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) across warehousing, transportation, and freight forwarding operations. This role owns process optimization initiatives end-to-end, from opportunity identification through implementation and sustainment, using Lean, Six Sigma, and industry-standard 3PL best practices. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical rigor with hands-on operational leadership, driving measurable improvements in productivity, cost-to-serve, safety, quality, and customer service levels across the network.

This role may have responsibility for leading and developing 2 to 3 junior Continuous Improvement, Process Excellence, Engineering, or Analytics professionals as the function continues to expand.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) Leadership
2. Own and evolve the site/regional CIP strategy, including the pipeline of kaizen events, DMAIC projects, and rapid-improvement initiatives.
3. Establish and track a savings/benefit pipeline (cost avoidance, productivity gains, quality improvements) with clear ROI documentation.
4. Build and maintain a CIP governance cadence (idea intake, prioritization, project charters, stage-gate reviews, close-out) tied to business KPIs.
5. Champion a culture of continuous improvement through training, coaching, and visible leadership at all levels of the operation.
6. Process Optimization
7. Conduct time studies, process mapping (VSM), and root cause analysis across warehousing (receiving, put away, picking, packing, VAS, shipping) and transportation/freight forwarding workflows.
8. Redesign standard operating procedures (SOPs) to eliminate waste, reduce variability, and improve throughput, labor productivity, and space/asset utilization.
9. Partner with Industrial Engineering to develop and validate labor standards, engineered labor standards (ELS), and slotting/layout optimization.
10. Identify and lead automation, WMS/TMS system enhancement, and technology adoption opportunities that support scalable process improvement.
11. Data & Performance Management
12. Build dashboards and reporting to track OTIF, productivity (UPH/CPH), cost-per-unit, dock-to-stock, order accuracy, safety incidents, and other operational KPIs.
13. Use statistical analysis to identify variation, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities across sites.
14. Prepare and present improvement business cases and results to site leadership, regional leadership, and customers as needed (QBRs).
15. Stakeholder & Change Management
16. Act as the primary liaison between operations, engineering, IT, and customer-facing teams on improvement initiatives.
17. Lead cross-functional improvement teams and manage change through structured communication, training, and sustainment plans.
18. Support new site start-ups and customer implementations by embedding CI principles and best-practice process design from day one.
19. Facilitate Lean/Six Sigma training (Green Belt/Yellow Belt level) for site operations teams to build internal CI capability.
20. Standardization & Best Practice Sharing
21. Develop and maintain a network-wide playbook of standard processes, layouts, and best practices for replication across sites.
22. Conduct site assessments/audits against operational excellence standards and drive corrective action plans.
23. Benchmark performance across internal sites and against industry standards to identify improvement targets.

REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, or related field.

5+ years of experience in continuous improvement, industrial engineering, or operations roles within 3PL, logistics, warehousing, freight forwarding, or manufacturing environments.

Demonstrated experience leading Lean/Six Sigma projects (Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred) with quantifiable results.

Strong working knowledge of warehouse and transportation operations, WMS/TMS systems, and labor management systems.

Proficiency in process mapping, time studies, statistical analysis, and improvement tools (5S, Kaizen, DMAIC, PDCA, Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis).

Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously across sites.

Experience in a multi-site or regional CI role within a global 3PL or logistics network.

Experience supporting new site launches, customer onboarding, or network design projects.

Familiarity with automation/robotics evaluation (AS/RS, AMRs, sortation) and digital transformation initiatives in logistics.

Operational and financial acumen (cost-to-serve, labor economics)

Bias for action with attention to sustainable, data-driven results

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel extensively based on business needs.

• Expected travel requirements may reach up to three weeks per month when operational priorities require on-site support, project implementation, or business transformation activities.

Computer Skills:

• Experienced with Microsoft Office, advanced skills in Microsoft Excel
• Proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) Systems

• Experience with data visualization/BI tools (Power BI, Tableau) and/or SQL a plus.

Certificates & Licenses:

• Six Sigma Black Belt certification

Language Skills:

• N/A

Mathematical Skills:

• Good mathematical skills

Other Skills:

• Analytical problem-solving and structured methodology (DMAIC/PDCA)
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership and customers.
• Change leadership and influence without direct authority
• Coaching and capability-building mindset

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Working Conditions

Mixed office and operational environment

Physical Effort

Sedentary: Primarily remaining in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for >50% of the time.

Mental Effort

Continuous intense mental effort under high demand

Other

Regular Travel or Weekend/Overnight Shifts

For this position, the expected base pay range is $113,040.00 - $141,300.00 . Actual compensation will be determined based on job-related factors such as relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, and geographic location, in accordance with applicable laws and company policy.

Information regarding DSV's benefits offerings, including eligibility, coverage options, and plan details, is available through the DSV Benefits Showcase. Benefits, programs, and eligibility may vary by location and division in accordance with applicable state and local laws.

DSV is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, disability, veteran status, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment with DSV, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io. If you are interested in learning the status of your application, please note you will be contacted directly by the appropriate human resources contact person if you are selected for further consideration. DSV reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.

DSV - Global transport and logistics

Working at DSV means playing in a different league.

As a global leader in transport and logistics, we have been on an extraordinary journey of growth. Let's grow together as we continue to innovate, digitalise and build on our achievements.

With close to 150,000 colleagues in over 90 countries, we work every day to offer solid services and meet our customers' needs and help them achieve their goals. We know that the best way to achieve this is by bringing in new talent, fresh perspectives and ambitious individuals like you.


At DSV, performance is in our DNA. We don't just work - we aim to shape the future of logistics. This ambition fuels a dynamic environment built on collaboration with world-class team players, accountability and action. We value inclusivity, embrace different cultures and respect the dignity and rights of every individual. If you want to make an impact, be trusted by customers and grow your career in a forward-thinking company - this is the place to be.

Start here. Go anywhere

Visit dsv.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

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Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement

Independence