Continuous Improvement Specialist

Continuous Improvement SpecialistSchumacher & Co., America's leading name for home and interior design – for fabric, wallcovering, and rugs – is seeking a motivated, analytical, and hands-on Continuous Improvement Specialist to support process improvement initiatives across our manufacturing and distribution operations.This role will focus on improving how materials, inventory, orders, people, and information move through the operation —from receiving and inventory through manufacturing, fulfillment, shipping, and ultimately to the customer.The Continuous Improvement Specialist will partner closely with operational leaders and cross-functional teams to identify inefficiencies, analyze performance, implement solutions, and ensure improvements are sustained.This is an excellent opportunity for a professional with 2–4 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean, manufacturing, quality, process improvement, distribution, or a related field who is ready to take greater ownership of improvement projects and continue developing their CI expertise.What You'll DoContinuous Improvement & Process OptimizationAnalyze operational processes to identify bottlenecks, waste, duplication, and inefficienciesSupport and lead Continuous Improvement projects from identification through implementationDevelop and implement standard work, best practices, and improved operating proceduresUse Lean, Kaizen, 5S, root-cause analysis, and other Continuous Improvement methodologiesCreate process maps, workflows, and standard work instructionsIdentify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, accuracy, safety, service levels, and operating costsMeasure project results and ensure improvements are sustainedEvaluate processes to support business growth, increased volume, and changing operational needsDistribution & Warehouse OperationsIdentify opportunities to improve receiving, put-away, replenishment, picking, packing, staging, and shippingSupport improvements to warehouse layouts, storage locations, material flow, and space utilizationHelp improve order fulfillment speed and accuracyAnalyze labor utilization, productivity, travel time, touches, and material handlingSupport initiatives to improve dock-to-stock time and overall shipment flowAssist with facility-capacity and workflow planningManufacturing OperationsPartner with Manufacturing leadership to improve material and workflow through productionIdentify operational constraints and bottlenecksImprove handoffs between Manufacturing, Inventory, Receiving, and DistributionSupport efforts to reduce downtime, rework, scrap, errors, and material shortagesImprove coordination between production schedules and downstream operationsHelp develop processes that support new products, increased SKU volume, and changing customer demandInventory & QualitySupport initiatives to improve inventory and location accuracyAnalyze inventory discrepancies and assist with root-cause investigationsImprove labeling, scanning, inventory transactions, and cycle-count processesIdentify opportunities to reduce damaged, excess, obsolete, or slow-moving inventoryPartner with Operations and Quality teams to reduce errors, defects, rework, and wasteDevelop sustainable inventory-control and accountability processesTechnology & SystemsIdentify opportunities to improve ERP, WMS, and other operational system processesPartner with Operations and IT on system and workflow improvementsSupport opportunities involving barcode scanning, RF technology, automation, and other operational toolsAnalyze system transactions and data to identify process gapsParticipate in system testing, implementations, upgrades, and process validationData & PerformanceAnalyze operational data to identify trends and improvement opportunitiesSupport the development of dashboards, KPIs, and operational reportingEstablish baseline performance and measure results following process changesTranslate operational data into actionable improvement recommendationsTrack project performance and document measurable business impactKey metrics may include:Productivity and throughputOrder accuracyOn-time shipmentDock-to-stock timeInventory accuracyLabor utilizationOrder cycle timeManufacturing throughputQuality and rework ratesWarehouse utilizationSafety performanceCost savings and cost avoidanceCross-Functional CollaborationPartner with Manufacturing, Distribution, Receiving, Inventory, Quality, Purchasing, Customer Service, Finance, IT, and other business partnersFacilitate process-improvement discussions and working sessionsCommunicate project objectives, progress, recommendations, and resultsSupport implementation of new processes and operating standardsEngage employees in identifying and solving operational problemsHelp build accountability and adoption around Continuous Improvement initiativesSafetyIdentify process-related safety risks and opportunities for improvementSupport improvements to material handling, traffic flow, workstation design, and operational practicesIncorporate safety considerations into process and facility improvementsSupport company safety, quality, OSHA, and compliance requirementsWhat We're Looking For2–4 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, process improvement, manufacturing, distribution, quality, Lean, operations, or a related fieldStrong analytical and problem-solving skillsExperience using data to evaluate operational performanceAbility to conduct root-cause analysis and develop practical solutionsStrong communication and cross-functional collaboration skillsAbility to manage multiple projects and prioritiesComfortable working directly within manufacturing and distribution environmentsAbility to move between strategic analysis and hands-on process observationStrong organizational and follow-through skillsExperience with Lean, Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, process mapping, standard work, value-stream mapping, or similar Continuous Improvement methodologies is preferred.Compensation & DevelopmentWe offer a competitive compensation package based on experience, skills, and qualifications.This position is also eligible for performance-based incentives tied to measurable results and achievement of established Continuous Improvement objectives.Performance may be evaluated based on:Verified cost savings and cost avoidanceProductivity and throughput improvementsQuality improvements and waste reductionSafety improvementsCompletion and sustainment of CI projectsStandard work implementation and adoptionEmployee engagement in Continuous Improvement initiativesGrowth OpportunityThe Continuous Improvement Specialist position is designed to provide a clear professional development path.As the Specialist demonstrates sustained results, successfully manages increasingly complex projects, and expands their operational knowledge and responsibilities, there will be opportunities for increased responsibility and continued growth within Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence.The ImpactThe Continuous Improvement Specialist will help strengthen the entire operational flow:Supplier ? Receiving ? Inventory ? Manufacturing ? Finished Goods ? Distribution ? CustomerThe goal is simple: identify where the process breaks down, understand why, implement a better solution, measure the impact, and ensure the improvement lasts.If you enjoy solving operational problems, working with people and data, and seeing measurable results from your improvements, we'd love to hear from you.About FSCO:Schumacher & Co is a 13