Continuous Improvement Specialist

Location: Shelbyville, KY

Job Id: 175

# of Openings: 1

Ventek Solutions (Ventek) is a leading manufacturer specializing in engineered shape molded foam components, protective packaging, and multi-material assembly solutions. The organization helps customers address complex challenges in product protection, component light-weighting, insulation, and design simplification. Ventek's services span a variety of industries, including construction, automotive, electronics, medical, and more. Ventek Solutions leverages creative design, thoughtful engineering, and meticulous program management to deliver customized solutions. Ventek operates 9 plants in the US and Mexico with corporate headquarters in Charleston, SC.

In 2024, Black Diamond Capital Management acquired the Protective Solutions segment of Sonoco Products Company, rebranding the business as Ventek Solutions LLC. This acquisition encompassed the existing manufacturing footprint along with the embedded design engineering, program management, and commercial resources. As Ventek Solutions, we are dedicated to maintaining our advanced capabilities in creative design, thoughtful engineering, meticulous program management, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.

The Continuous Improvement Specialist is responsible for driving the deployment, execution, and sustainability of Lean Manufacturing and Business Process Improvement initiatives across operations and supporting functions. This role partners with production, engineering, quality, supply chain, maintenance, finance, customer service, and leadership teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory performance, administrative efficiency, and employee engagement through structured continuous improvement methodologies.

The ideal candidate combines operational improvement expertise with strong business process optimization capabilities to eliminate waste, improve workflow efficiency, standardize processes, strengthen operational systems, and support a culture of operational excellence and data-driven decision making. This role will lead Kaizen activities, facilitate cross-functional process improvements, develop performance metrics, and support enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.

This role will be based onsite (no remote) in one of our domestic plant locations, preferably in Shelbyville, KY (Louisville area). Up to 50% travel may be required to support multiple facilities, audits, or training initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support Lean Manufacturing, operational excellence, and business process improvement initiatives across manufacturing and support functions.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), root cause analysis, and cross-functional problem-solving activities to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory performance, and cost.
• Drive waste reduction and process optimization initiatives focused on improving workflow efficiency, reducing downtime, scrap, rework, variability, and non-value-added activities.
• Develop, implement, and sustain standardized work, visual management systems, process controls, layered audits, and best operational practices.
• Analyze operational and business performance data, monitor KPIs, and develop reporting tools to identify trends, gaps, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Partner with production, engineering, quality, supply chain, maintenance, and leadership teams to improve process flow, system utilization, and operational performance.
• Support ERP/MRP process improvements, data accuracy initiatives, and opportunities for automation and digital process enhancement.
• Coach, mentor, and train employees and leaders on Lean methodologies, process improvement tools, and continuous improvement principles.
• Lead change management efforts to ensure successful implementation and sustainment of operational and business process improvements.
• Conduct process audits, validate improvement sustainability, and support compliance with operational, quality, and customer requirements.
• Support strategic operational goals, new product launches, capacity improvements, and continuous improvement roadmaps while tracking project savings and performance results.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, continuous improvement, operational excellence, or business process improvement roles.
• Demonstrated experience deploying Lean Manufacturing principles in a production environment.
• Experience leading Kaizen events, process improvement workshops, or operational transformation initiatives.
• Experience analyzing and improving business workflows, operational systems, or transactional processes preferred.
• Must be authorized to work in the US without need for sponsorship.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies, including 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standardized Work, Visual Management, SMED, TPM, Root Cause Analysis, PDCA/A3 problem solving, OEE analysis, and Six Sigma principles.
• Experience with business process mapping, workflow optimization, KPI development, process documentation, and operational performance management.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret operational and business data to drive decision-making.
• Effective leadership, coaching, facilitation, and change management abilities with the capability to influence teams across all organizational levels.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead cross-functional collaboration and training initiatives.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems, Microsoft Office, and data analysis/reporting tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and business systems integration.
• Knowledge of ISO, IATF 16949, quality systems, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting digital transformation or manufacturing system improvement initiatives.
• Multi-site manufacturing or operational improvement experience preferred.
• Experience in automotive, industrial, or high-volume manufacturing environments preferred.