Lean Manager

Lean Manager

Requisition ID: 75073

Date: Sep 11, 2026

Location:

Kearney, NE, US, 68845

Department: Lean

Description:

At West, we're a dedicated team that is connected by a purpose to improve patient lives that has been at the center of our Company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War 2. Through our work to deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily, West's indelible mark on the healthcare industry has just begun. A name started our story. How will yours help write our future?

There's no better place to join an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth and development. Supported by benefit programs, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our team members and their families.

We believe in giving back to help those in need in the communities where we live and work. And are equally committed to creating a healthier environment and planet through our sustainability efforts.

Job Summary

Relocation assistance provided for those who do not live within 50 miles of the site.

This fully onsite Lean Manager role is responsible for leading lean transformation for the site and will be a strategic business partner to site leadership. The manager will be accountable for and overseeing the implementation of sustainable improvements and will be responsible for measuring and reporting results to ensure change initiatives deliver expected business results. The Lean Manager will drive successful implementation of improvement projects across the sites enabling growth and drive profitability. This position requires the handling of formal and informal Lean Manufacturing training and coaching on a day-to-day basis. The Lean Manager in this position is responsible for driving sustainable improvements in quality, delivery/lead time, and operational efficiencies that are tied to leadership goals. This role also includes presenting a professional appearance in line with the following job responsibilities as well as presenting a professional attitude.?

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead a group or team of employees in the achievement of organizational goals. Guide, coach, direct, and develop direct reports.

• Drives targeted, sustainable improvement by leveraging consulting skills and change management processes

• Create strategic plans to eliminate waste within the business unit by utilizing lean processes, metrics, cost savings, best demonstrated practices and enterprise resource management. Works with all departments to support utilization of and training in these techniques and programs.

• Guides all lean system initiatives at the site and works with Site leadership and regional peers on Lean implementation using Lean Systems as the principal tool.

• Ensure that workplace process improvements are visible, that savings are tracked, validated and posted.

• Assist in the training and guidance for champions, team leaders and members to develop and implement Lean action plans, and in the transfer of technology and lean initiatives to other West plants.

• Sets up and/or participates in continuous improvement teams related to establishing a process or process improvement.

• Ensures successful kaizen events by installing and ensuring commitment to the kaizen process which includes 1) planning of kaizen with a dynamic funnel process, 2) kaizen execution, and 3) sustainment of kaizen

• Serve as a regional Subject Matter Expert (SME) on various Lean/Process Improvement activities

• Serve as a member of the site leadership team and participate in the decision-making process.

• Performs other duties as assigned based on business needs.

• Conforms with and abides by all regulations, policies, work procedures, instruction, and all safety rules.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or equivalent required.

Work Experience

• Minimum 8 years relative experience required.

• Minimum 5 years experience in lean manufacturing required.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Prior experience implementing and/or being part of developing and maintaining a Lean Manufacturing production environment, implementing and/or part of developing and maintaining an ISO certified manufacturing facility strongly preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in leading process improvement projects in manufacturing environment preferred.

• Proficient in Lean, including Kaizen (continuous improvement design and facilitation).

• Excellent communication skills; comfortable in front of all levels of the organization, as well as external customers.

• Strong leadership, negotiation and conflict management skills.

• Experience using process improvement tools.

• Capable of working independently under ambiguous and/or changing conditions.

• Demonstrated ability to function independently in a high-impact position, with deadline and resource constraints.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate across disciplines and integrate all aspects of business as they impact development projects, including negotiation of scope, roles and responsibilities, specifications, timelines, and resources up, across, and down in the organization.

License and Certifications

• Manufacturing\Lean Six Sigma Black Belt preferred.

Travel Requirements

10%: Up to 26 business days per year

Physical Requirements

Sedentary-Exerting up to 10lbs/4kgs of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.

Additional Requirements

• Proven ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.

• Ability to stand on concrete floors for long durations.

• Ability to clearly communicate and understand spoken communication.

• Must also be able to maintain confidentiality and resolve conflicts.

• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment.

• Specific vision abilities may be needed by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

West embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We foster an environment where all individuals are safe, treated fairly, valued and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Where permitted by law, employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of post-offer background screening.?

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Nearest Major Market: Grand Island