Lean Manager

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and StruXure®.


With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we're united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.


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Summary

Reporting to the North American Lean Leader, the Central Lean Manager is responsible for leading and supporting Lean transformation across multiple North American manufacturing sites. This role partners directly with plant leadership teams to build Lean capability, strengthen daily management practices, improve operational performance, and create sustainable systems that enable safe, predictable, and profitable growth. The Central Lean Manager serves as a coach, change leader, and strategic business partner who helps sites embed the Hardie Manufacturing Operating System (HMOS) into daily work. This position may be based at a plant location or at the corporate office in Chicago. Travel is expected to range from 25% to 75%, depending on location and business needs.


What You'll Do:

The Central Lean Manager leads through influence across a matrixed manufacturing environment, focusing on:

Lean Strategy & Deployment

• Partner with plant and functional leaders to translate business priorities into targeted Lean roadmaps.
• Deploy HMOS standards, routines, and systems across sites.
• Align Lean initiatives to measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and engagement.
• Use data and observation to prioritize high-impact improvement opportunities.

Daily Management & Standard Work

• Coach sites on Daily Management Systems, including tiered meetings, visual management, and escalation routines.
• Strengthen operator and leader standard work to improve consistency and sustain results.
• Reinforce use of gemba walks, layered verification, and coaching routines.
• Ensure Lean systems are practical, visible, and owned by site leadership.

Kaizen & Problem Solving

• Lead and coach Kaizen (VOO) events that address critical business challenges.
• Manage the improvement funnel from opportunity identification through sustainment.
• Build capability in structured problem solving (PDCA, root cause analysis, A3, 5 Whys).
• Deliver measurable results with clear ownership and follow-up actions.

Coaching & Capability Building

• Teach and mentor leaders and teams in Lean principles and HMOS standards.
• Develop leader capability in proactive process management and coaching.
• Build self-sufficiency at sites to sustain improvements independently.
• Facilitate learning through hands-on coaching, training, and workshops.

Change Management & Sustainment

• Lead change through stakeholder alignment, engagement, and clear communication.
• Remove barriers and address systemic issues to drive adoption.
• Establish sustainment mechanisms to maintain standards and performance.
• Share and adapt best practices across sites.

Business Results & Performance Management

• Measure and report Lean impact using operational and financial metrics.
• Link improvement activity to key outcomes (safety, quality, cost, productivity, etc.).
• Support planning processes by identifying Lean-driven opportunities.
• Track leading and lagging indicators to assess adoption and effectiveness.

What You'll Bring:

• 7+ years of progressive experience in Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, operational excellence, or manufacturing leadership, including at least 5 years leading cross-functional improvement initiatives or transformation efforts in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong practical application of Lean principles, including daily management, standard work, visual management, 5S, Kaizen, structured problem solving, and strategy deployment.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, influence, and build capability across all levels of the organization, from frontline operators to senior leadership, within a complex, matrixed environment.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to drive alignment across functions, sites, and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and business acumen, with the ability to connect continuous improvement activities to operational and financial performance.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and deliver results in dynamic, resource-constrained environments.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, business, supply chain, or a related field preferred; advanced degree (e.g., MBA or Master's) is a plus.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or equivalent transformation experience preferred.
• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations and leading Lean maturity assessments, Daily Management Systems, and leader/operator standard work is desirable.

What You'll Receive:

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $114,000K to $135,000K. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.

At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.

• Compensation: competitive salary and bonus eligibility
• Insurance: day-one health coverage medical, dental, vision, life insurance
• Paid Time Off: vacation and company holidays
• Retirement: 401(k) with 6% match
• Investments: Employee Stock Purchase plan (ESP)
• Work-Life Balance: parental leave, wellness programs
• Purpose. Impact. Community: Sustainability Initiatives | James Hardie

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James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.


James Hardie will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.


The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.