Continuous Improvement Manager

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Job Profile Summary

The Continuous Improvement Manager Outsourced is a strategic leader responsible for driving the organization’s continuous improvement initiatives. In partnership with the Director of Operations, they work to manage business performance and continuous improvement with our contract manufacturing partners (outsources). This role involves analyzing current practices, leading improvement projects, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. The manager collaborates with all levels of management to ensure that improvement activities align with the company’s goals and objectives. Their leadership is key to sustaining long-term organizational growth and competitiveness.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Continuous Improvement Manager Outsourced is a strategic leader responsible for driving the organization’s continuous improvement initiatives. In partnership with the Director of Operations, they work to manage business performance and continuous improvement with our contract manufacturing partners (outsources). This role involves analyzing current practices, leading improvement projects, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. The manager collaborates with all levels of management to ensure that improvement activities align with the company’s goals and objectives. Their leadership is key to sustaining long-term organizational growth and competitiveness.

Responsibilities:

Continuous Improvement Strategy:

• Conduct analysis of current processes and performance to identify opportunities for improvement

• Develop and communicate a clear strategy for implementing continuous improvement initiatives

• Establish metrics and targets to measure the success of improvement efforts

• Coordinate with cross functional teams to align improvement strategies with overall business objectives

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the continuous improvement strategy and make adjustments as needed

Process Improvement:

• Lead process improvement projects and initiatives across departments and functions

• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste

• Utilize Lean and other continuous improvement methodologies to drive process improvements

• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities

• Monitor and track progress of process improvement projects and provide regular updates to senior management

• Lead initiatives to improve SQDPI

• Responsible for reporting savings from the Outsourced space

• Work with team to maintain a healthy savings project funnel

• Conduct VSM/VSA to drive improvement

Employee Development:

• Train and mentor employees on continuous improvement methodologies and tools

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by promoting employee involvement and ownership in improvement initiatives

• Develop and deliver training programs to educate employees on continuous improvement principles and practices

• Recognize and reward employees for their contributions to improvement efforts

• Provide coaching and support to employees to help them effectively participate in improvement projects and initiatives.

Team Management:

• Lead and manage a team, providing guidance, feedback, and support.

• Set goals and KPIs for team members and monitor performance.

• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment.

• Develop and implement training programs to keep team members updated on trends and strategies.

High Impact Behaviors:

• Strategic Decision Making: A manager must be able to assess complex situations, consider long-term implications, and make decisions that align with the organization’s vision and goals. This involves critical thinking, foresight, and the ability to balance various stakeholders’ interests.

• Effective Communication: Clear and transparent communication is vital for a manager. This includes articulating vision, expectations, and feedback in a way that motivates and engages team members. It also involves active listening and openness to input from all levels of the organization.

• Fostering Team Growth: A high impact manager invests in the development of their team members. This behavior includes mentoring, providing opportunities for professional growth, and creating an environment where continuous learning is encouraged and valued.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, or a related field with at least 8 years’ experience, with at least 2 years’ experience as a people manager or equivalent work experience that provides exposure to fundamental theories, principles, and concepts.

• Proven track record to applying lean principles in a structured approach to develop culture and competency while delivering sustained results

• Experience managing projects to deliver results on time with proper reporting cadence and visual management to monitor performance and address challenges

•.Ability to influence and lead without authority

• Solid coaching and facilitation skills

• Experience reporting up to Executive Leadership

• Strong problem-solving skills (A3, 8D, Fishbone, 5Why)

• Experience with Goal Deployment Process (GDP)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bi-lingual (Spanish and English)

• Ability to travel 20-40% of the time

• Located in Morrisville, NC area

The estimated salary range for this position is $125,000 to $135,000 plus bonus.   Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range.  At Xylem we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement.

Xylem does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

#LI-TM1

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.

At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment.

Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation