Continuous Improvement Specialist (US)

Continuous Improvement Specialist Location: Phoenix, AZ; Charlotte, NC; Memphis, TN; Fort Worth, TX; Clearfork, TX. Responsibilities Spend meaningful time in last‑mile operations working alongside associates and site leaders to identify waste, remove barriers, and support improvements across receiving, picking, shipping, reverse logistics, and inventory management. Build credibility through a visible presence in the operation, understanding how work gets done and supporting teams with practical problem‑solving and follow‑through. Deploy the S&N Operating System playbooks and support site teams in improving KPIs through hands‑on coaching, tracking actions, and reinforcing adoption. Support the development, deployment, and sustainment of the Continuous Improvement roadmap across Supply Chain Americas, helping translate priorities into site‑level actions. Partner with Supply Chain leaders to support financial, service, and inventory improvement initiatives, keeping workstreams moving and benefits on track. Lead and support root cause analysis on recurring defects, errors, and process breakdowns, then help implement corrective actions until improvements are stabilized. Observe work where it happens and help deploy best practices and SOPs across sites to improve consistency, especially in high‑variability processes such as reverse logistics and inventory management. Support regional and site‑specific operational excellence plans by converting priorities into practical actions, reinforcing lean management practices, and helping teams adopt change at the site level. Use KPI dashboards and operational data to identify issues, monitor progress, and confirm the impact of improvements, while staying close enough to the floor to validate what the data is showing. Partner with IT and site teams to support the integration of warehouse systems and automation solutions that improve visibility, process execution, and labor planning. Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Experience: 3–5 years in a fast‑paced warehouse, manufacturing, or last‑mile environment, with demonstrated success supporting continuous improvement initiatives from idea through implementation and sustainment. Experience in the medical device industry is required. Proven experience in last‑mile operations is required. Lean Six Sigma certification, or similar, is desirable. Technical Proficiency Knowledge of WMS/ERP platforms (e.g., SAP and Manhattan) and strong Excel skills. Familiarity with tools such as Power BI or Minitab is a plus. Soft Skills & Competencies Hands‑on, action‑oriented, comfortable working on the warehouse floor, with strong communication skills, adaptability, and the ability to build trust with frontline teams and site leaders. Knowledge and application of continuous improvement, lean methodologies, and root cause problem‑solving techniques (DMAIC, Kaizen, PDCA, A3). Ability to identify and support opportunities that improve financial and operational performance through disciplined execution and data‑driven approach. Ability to translate lean principles, best practices, and business intelligence into practical changes that strengthen a culture of operational excellence. Travel Travel is required up to 50% of the time. When not traveling, you will be expected to work on‑site at the local Supply Chain Americas warehouse. Benefits 401(k) Matching Program 401(k) Plus Program Discounted Stock Options Tuition Reimbursement Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off Paid Holidays Flex Holidays Paid Community Service Day Medical, Dental, Vision Health Savings Account with an employer contribution of $500+ annually Employee Assistance Program Parental Leave Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program Training: Hands‑On, Team‑Customized, Mentorship Discounts on fitness clubs, travel and more Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Smith+Neb provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. #J-18808-Ljbffr Smith & Nephew