Continuous Improvement Leader

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview

Our client is seeking a results-driven Continuous Improvement Manager to improve operational performance, control costs, and drive efficiencies across warehouse and distribution operations.

This position is ideal for a hands-on continuous improvement professional who understands warehouse operations, knows how to analyze operational spending, and can identify opportunities to improve productivity while reducing unnecessary expenses.

The successful candidate will work closely with warehouse leadership, operations teams, and senior management to evaluate current processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement sustainable improvements that positively impact the bottom line.

This isn't just about improving processes. It's about understanding where money is being spent, identifying opportunities for savings, and delivering measurable financial results.

Key Responsibilities

Warehouse Operations & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate warehouse operations, including receiving, put-away, inventory management, picking, packing, shipping, and distribution.
• Identify operational inefficiencies, workflow bottlenecks, and opportunities to improve throughput.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, and other process improvement methodologies.
• Partner with warehouse managers and frontline supervisors to implement practical, sustainable operational improvements.
• Establish performance metrics and accountability measures to track operational effectiveness.
• Standardize best practices across warehouse operations and facilities.

Cost Management & Operational Spending

• Analyze warehouse operating expenses to identify opportunities for cost reduction and improved profitability.
• Monitor labor spending, overtime, staffing utilization, equipment costs, and other controllable operating expenses.
• Evaluate labor productivity, cost per unit handled, and overall warehouse cost efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary spending without compromising safety, quality, or customer service.
• Partner with operations and finance teams to develop cost-saving initiatives and monitor financial performance against established budgets.
• Build business cases for operational improvements, including projected savings, implementation costs, and return on investment.
• Track and validate financial results from completed improvement initiatives.

Labor Productivity & Workforce Optimization

• Analyze staffing levels, labor allocation, scheduling, and productivity across warehouse operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve labor utilization and reduce overtime expenses.
• Develop labor standards, productivity measurements, and workforce planning strategies.
• Partner with operational leadership to improve employee performance, training, and workflow efficiency.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing processes and recommend improvements that maximize productivity.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Develop and maintain dashboards tracking warehouse productivity, labor costs, operating expenses, and improvement initiatives.
• Monitor key performance indicators, including labor cost per unit, overtime, order accuracy, throughput, and cost savings.
• Conduct operational assessments and present findings and recommendations to leadership.
• Establish measurable improvement goals and provide regular progress updates.
• Use operational and financial data to prioritize initiatives with the greatest business impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, Industrial Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in continuous improvement, operational excellence, warehouse operations, or distribution management.
• Strong understanding of warehouse operations, labor productivity, and operating expense management.
• Demonstrated success identifying and implementing measurable cost-saving initiatives.
• Experience utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, or similar improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational and financial data.
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS), Microsoft Excel, and operational reporting tools.
• Ability to work directly with warehouse employees, supervisors, and executive leadership.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in third-party logistics (3PL), multi-client warehousing, or distribution environments.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience developing labor standards and warehouse productivity measurements.
• Familiarity with warehouse P&L performance, budget management, and cost-to-serve analysis.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives across multiple warehouse locations.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will be someone who can walk into a warehouse, understand how the operation functions, recognize where resources are being wasted, and develop actionable solutions.

Success will be measured by the ability to:

• Reduce controllable warehouse operating expenses.
• Improve labor productivity and workforce utilization.
• Reduce unnecessary overtime and operational waste.
• Increase warehouse throughput and operational efficiency.
• Deliver documented, measurable cost savings.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement and operational accountability.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for a professional who combines continuous improvement expertise with a strong financial mindset .

Someone who doesn't just identify problems but understands their financial impact, develops practical solutions, and works alongside operational teams to implement improvements.

The right individual will be comfortable analyzing spreadsheets and financial reports one day and walking the warehouse floor the next.