Director of Continuous Improvement - Full Time

Onsite: Albany, NY (Latham)

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: <25%

SUMMARY:

This role is critical in driving the Client's Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing strategies across multiple manufacturing and distribution centers in North America.

The successful candidate will be responsible for cultivating a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring operational excellence, and delivering measurable results in efficiency and productivity.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Enterprise Program Execution

• Collaborate with senior leaders and cross-functional teams, including operations, product management, sales, supply chain, and customer experience, to identify enterprise-wide improvement opportunities.
• Serve as the overall lead in the execution of large scale, enterprise-level initiatives aimed at enhancing quality, reducing costs, and optimizing delivery across the organization
• Engage with senior leadership to communicate progress, challenges, and successes of continuous improvement initiatives.

Continuous Improvement Strategy:

• Develop and implement a global continuous improvement strategy that aligns with the company’s operational goals.
• Collaborate with site leaders to implement Lean Manufacturing and eliminate waste in all aspects of manufacturing and distribution processes, focusing on improving flow, reducing lead times, and enhancing product quality.
• Mentor projects teams in the execution of projects using Lean and Six Sigma tools and techniques.
• Lead efforts to standardize and replicate successful improvement initiatives across North American manufacturing and distribution center locations.
• Benchmark industry best practices and support innovation in manufacturing and distribution processes.
• Develop dashboards and operating rhythms that communicate progress and impact of projects to stakeholders and senior leadership. 

Leadership & Development:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of continuous improvement professionals, fostering a high-performance culture focused on operational excellence.
• Identify high performing individuals throughout the organization in order to build a talent pipeline of future continuous improvement practitioners.
• Serve as a change agent, promoting a mindset of continuous improvement and operational efficiency throughout the organization.
  

SUPERVISORY: 4-7 Direct reports

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10 years of experience in manufacturing or distribution environment, with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused on the deployment of continuous improvement or Lean Manufacturing.
• Proven track record of leading enterprise-level initiatives with significant impact.
• Extensive knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies;
• Required: Black Belt certification, Master Black Belt strongly preferred
• Ability to travel up to 25% domestically to manufacturing and distribution centers
  

Competencies:

• Strategic Vision: Ability to develop and execute a strategic vision for continuous improvement across a global organization.
• Influencing: Ability to influence at multiple levels of an organization.
• Communication: Ability to distill complex ideas, technical concepts, or strategic initiatives into clear, concise, and easily understandable messages tailored to diverse audiences.
• Change Management: Expertise in leading change initiatives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex data and drive decisions based on insights.
• Leadership: Ability to inspire, lead, and develop teams to achieve operational excellence.
• KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Director, Product Management; Sr. Director, SIOP; VP Distribution and Logistics; Director/Operations Manager Manufacturing/Warehouse Operations; Director/Manager, Customer Experience