Continuous Improvement Specialist

**Relocation assistance is not available for this position. Due to the travel requirements of the role, candidates must currently reside within one hour of a major commercial airport.**

COMPANY SUMMARY

We are a family of companies providing innovative water treatment solutions and services to customers across the United States. As one of the nation's largest full-service water treatment equipment distributors, we support every segment of the water and wastewater treatment industry. Our companies represent industry-leading equipment manufacturers and are recognized as leaders within their respective markets. Together, we offer a comprehensive product portfolio, value-added design support, and aftermarket parts and services to both municipal and industrial customers. Our industrial expertise spans a wide range of markets, including ethanol, food and beverage, power generation, pulp and paper, mining, pharmaceutical, and port applications.

POSITION SUMMARY

We're seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist who approaches improvement work with humility, curiosity, and respect for the people who operate and maintain critical wastewater and stormwater systems. This role exists to support operations - not control them - by helping teams see problems clearly, improve processes collaboratively, and build reliable, sustainable systems using Lean principles. The role also supports quality management and certification efforts, helping teams align daily work with ISO 9001 and/or AISC certification requirements in a way that is practical, understandable, and value-adding.

KEY DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Partner with wastewater and stormwater operations teams to implement improvement opportunities aligned with safety, compliance, reliability, and service outcomes

• Apply Lean and continuous improvement principles to improve reliability, flow, safety, responsiveness, and cost effectiveness across treatment, collection, and conveyance systems

• Facilitate continuous improvement activities such as kaizen events, value stream mapping, A3 thinking, and structured problem-solving - guiding teams to own solutions

• Coach leaders and frontline teams in practical CI tools such as standard work, visual management, 5S, root cause analysis, and PDCA

• Support efforts to reduce unplanned downtime, rework, safety risks, process variability, and recurring compliance issues

• Help teams design and sustain improvements that meet regulatory, environmental, and quality system requirements

• Support ISO 9001 and/or AISC certification processes, including documentation, internal audits, corrective actions, and ongoing continuous improvement requirements

• Translate certification, regulatory, and quality requirements into simple, usable, and sustainable processes that support the way work is performed

• Use data and observation (go and see) to understand issues related to compliance, asset reliability, and service interruptions

• Document, standardize, and share improvements in a clear, practical way that supports knowledge transfer and long-term sustainability

• Serve as a trusted partner to supervisors and leaders by providing structure, insight, and facilitation - without ego or authority

• Build continuous improvement capability by modeling curiosity, respect for people, and learning - helping teams improve how they improve

• Apply continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean or Six Sigma) to optimize and operationalize the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework, refining the 15 basic security controls of Level 1 and the 110 practices of Level 2, turning static security requirements into efficient, repeatable business workflows

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing / Lean operations principles

• A servant leader mindset with strong respect for frontline operators and technicians

• Comfort working in operational environments such as treatment plants, pump stations, lift stations, and field operations

• Strong facilitation and listening skills; able to guide conversations improvement across diverse teams

• Practical, safety-minded problem solver who values simple, reliable solutions

• Ability to influence through trust, patience, and consistency rather than direct authority

• Appreciation for public service, environmental stewardship, and regulatory responsibility

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree (Environmental, Civil, Industrial, Mechanical, or related field)

• Experience in wastewater, stormwater, utilities, public works, or infrastructure operations

• Hands-on experience supporting or maintaining ISO 9001 and/or AISC certification

• Lean, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement certification (preferred, not required)

• Experience supporting operators, maintenance teams, or field crews in improvement work

Travel: 50-75%

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:

• Operators feel heard, supported, and respected

• Improvements increase system reliability, safety, quality, and regulatory compliance

• Certification requirements are met without adding unnecessary complexity

• Problems are surfaced early and addressed collaboratively

• Processes are simpler, clearer, and more resilient

• Continuous improvement becomes part of daily operations - not an added burden

BENEFITS:

• Health insurance
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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Equal Opportunity Employer
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