Director Continuous Improvement

Job Description

Job Description

Director Continuous Improvement – Multi Site Operations

 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, the Director of Continuous Improvement will be

accountable for leading execution of the Group's Lean Journey. Partnering with Operations Directors and

Plant Managers, this CI leader will drive the necessary actions to bring all Group's manufacturing

facilities to a world-class level in the next ~3 years.

 

Successful incumbent will be capable of translating business strategy into specific long and short term

plans and drive execution through the manufacturing sites. This role will be pivotal in enabling the Group

to consistently meet and exceed customer expectations while supporting the successful delivery of the

2026–2028 Lean Journey—advancing our people, processes, and tools to achieve modelplant

performance.

 

The CI Leader is responsible for establishing, developing, leading and driving the Continuous

Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, and Operational Excellence strategy across ten (10) US based

manufacturing locations. This role ensures the consistent deployment of Lean methodologies and total

continuous improvement systems and structure to deliver sustainable cost savings, improve productivity,

quality, and enhance operating margins across the Group.

 

The position has direct impact on competitiveness, and long-term operational sustainability by embedding

Lean principles, standardizing best practices, and driving a culture of continuous improvement across all

sites.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In partnership with Plant leaders, Maintenance Managers, Production Managers, Plant Managers and

Regional Ops Leaders for all the Group sites in their respective product lines, to achieve the following

responsibilities:

• Promote a CI strategy that sustains a continuous improvement culture, ensuring a constant safety and
• quality focus.
• Drive the execution of the Lean Manufacturing Principles with rigor and discipline towards
• improvements on safety, quality, productivity and delivery
• Create, a Model Plant roadmap to continuously raise the bar on processes and results
• Lead a multi-year strategy by maintaining alignment with SLT, drive short term milestones and guide
• regional teams into execution
• Serve as the LEAN deployment leader by coordinating and monitoring projects / implementation
• plans and driving accountability throughout the organization.

 

Multi-Site Lean Strategy & Standardization

• Integrate CIF (Continuous Improvement Framework), OpA (Operations Assessment) and any transferable practices
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) to develop and execute standardized Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence strategies across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Align training and deployment programs for all Lean Manufacturing pillars, including but not limited to: 5S, visual management, GEMBA, AM/TPM, Std Work, level loading, PFEP, kanban, value stream mapping, Built-In-Quality through 5Ys, fishbone diagrams, RCCA, error proofing, A3s, as well as SMED, and cellular manufacturing to identify and eliminate waste.
• Standardize on-the-job training methodologies, certification processes, and workforce development programs across all sites.
• Establish and deploy best practices across the manufacturing network to ensure consistency and operational excellence.
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and governance processes to monitor improvement initiatives and ensure achievement of operational goals.

 

Lead Multi-Site Initiatives Focused On

• Improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and Operational Availability (OA).
• Reducing lead times and cycle times through Lean flow and process optimization.
• Optimizing direct and indirect labor productivity.
• Driving 5S workplace organization, standardization, and sustainment across all facilities.
• Implementing Built-in Quality systems to prevent defects and improve process capability.
• Promoting operational discipline through data-driven decision-making and performance management.
• Cross-site benchmarking and replication of best practices.

 

Quality Improvement & Root Cause Problem Solving

• Foster a culture of Built-in Quality and proactive defect prevention throughout all operations.
• Lead structured problem-solving initiatives.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions are effectively implemented, validated, and sustained across all facilities.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to reduce customer complaints, scrap, rework, and warranty costs.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts that support Zero Defect and customer satisfaction objectives.

 

Training & Capability Development

• Lead and coach assessments deployment of applicable Lean tools and systems to identify and address gaps.
• Develop and train all site Operational Leaders.
• Develop and implement effective training plans for all levels of the organization that help development and sustainability of a continuous improvement culture/mindset and functional knowledge
• Utilize Lean tools and methodologies to improve training effectiveness and workforce capability.
• Improve knowledge transfer, skills development, and Standard Work adoption across manufacturing sites.
• Develop Lean Champions, Continuous Improvement leaders, and front-line supervisors to sustain

 

Operational Excellence initiatives.

• Build internal LEAN organizational capability.
• Promote a culture of accountability, employee engagement, operational discipline, and continuous learning across the manufacturing network.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities however has significant influence across the organization to

drive LEAN deployment and adoption.

 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• Subject Matter Expert in the Toyota Production System or similar.
• Lean Certification required; Black Belt strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing environments with significant shop-floor exposure including
• 5+ years of proven experience leading Lean transformation across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Experience managing regional or multi-plant Continuous Improvement programs.
• Minimum of 5 years of direct people leadership experience .

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Strong financial acumen with experience validating and tracking savings initiatives.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, stakeholder management, and change management skills.
• Ability to travel regularly between manufacturing locations.

Company Description

Branex Group is a Minority-owned Technical Staffing firm headquartered in Auburn Hills, MI. We are a Certified Women’s Owned Business through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). We specialize in Engineering, Information Technology, Robotics, Human Resources, and Finance opportunities across the United States.

Branex Group is committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We ensure all applicants and employees are considered without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, genetics, or any other protected characteristic by State and Federal laws.

Branex Group offers the following benefits:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off
- 401(k)

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Company Description

Branex Group is a Minority-owned Technical Staffing firm headquartered in Auburn Hills, MI. We are a Certified Women’s Owned Business through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). We specialize in Engineering, Information Technology, Robotics, Human Resources, and Finance opportunities across the United States.\r\n\r\nBranex Group is committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We ensure all applicants and employees are considered without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, genetics, or any other protected characteristic by State and Federal laws.\r\n\r\n\r\nBranex Group offers the following benefits:\r\n- Medical Insurance\r\n- Dental Insurance\r\n- Vision insurance\r\n- Paid time off\r\n- 401(k)\r\n\r\n This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.