Continuous Improvement Manager

Position: Continuous Improvement Manager
Location: Central IN & IL (Hybrid)
Starting Pay: $ 92-125K base salary DOE

THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN CELEBRATING STUDENT MILESTONES – HERFF JONES
Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable student experiences. Herff Jones' products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, yearbooks, diplomas, frames, announcements, and Greek accessories as well as motivation and recognition programs.

Since 1920, our team has worked alongside students, faculty, and staff on campuses nationwide to help build a stronger community and celebrate student milestones. Our continued success relies on hiring extraordinary talent with a passion for making a difference and an eagerness to roll up their sleeves to help us write the story of our next 100 years.

Your Opportunity:
The Herff Jones Human Resources team is seeking a Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager to join our HJ Team. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will play a critical role in establishing, implementing, and maintaining Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies across our Cap & Gown Facilities.

In this role, you will lead continuous improvement (CI) projects and corporate-wide improvement initiatives, including ERP implementation. Additionally, you will be responsible for advancing Lean systems infrastructure across all operational phases while collaborating with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Travel Requirements:

• On-site presence in Central Illinois: 10-20% of the time
• Additional travel to other divisions: 5-10%

How You Will Make an Impact:

• Provide strategic leadership in defining operational requirements and implementing continuous improvement strategies aligned with a new ERP & WMS system.
• Serve as a key contributor to complex, cross-functional projects that drive operational excellence.
• Assist in the administration and communication of company policies, goals, strategies, and vision.
• Champion quality systems, process improvements, and safety initiatives in alignment with Lean methodologies.
• Collaborate with leadership teams to improve key company metrics, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale.
• Develop, model, and coach Lean applications to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement.
• Facilitate performance reviews with leadership teams to assess and enhance Lean implementation.
• Manage projects of varying sizes, coordinating internal and external resources.
• Prepare justifications and conduct data analysis to present and secure sponsorship for business improvement initiatives.

What You Will Bring the Table:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Lean Manufacturing, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience: 3-5 years of experience in Continuous Improvement or Lean/Six Sigma.
• Certifications: Lean, Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Process Improvement: Proven ability to deliver cost savings through CI initiatives in a mid-sized seasonal manufacturing environment preferred.
• Kaizen Leadership: Experience leading Kaizen events preferred.
• Training Expertise: Experience training others in root cause analysis is preferred.
• ERP Proficiency: Demonstrated experience with ERP systems and their interaction with shop floor processes.
• CAD Knowledge: Prior experience with CAD software for site/department design is preferred.
• Communication Skills: Proven success in effectively communicating across multiple teams and organizational levels.
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks with a high level of organization and attention to detail.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel & Power BI, with the ability to learn new systems and technologies.
• Interpersonal Skills: Customer service-oriented with the ability to align operational strategies with business goals.
• Adaptability: Strong sense of urgency, ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and maintain a positive attitude under pressure.

Physical Activities:
Daily activity includes but is not limited to:

• Lift, carry, grasp, and reach.
• Stand, kneel, walk, bend, and twist.
• Sit for prolonged periods at a desk working on a computer.
• Perform simple mathematical calculations and read/comprehend written communication.
• Lift and move up to 40 lbs as needed.
• Work in environments with moderate to above-moderate noise levels.

About Herff Jones:
Indianapolis-based Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. Herff Jones’ products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, diplomas and announcements as well as motivation and recognition programs. Focused on building long-term relationships through a nationwide network of over 1,400 employees and sales partners, the professionals at Herff Jones have been helping elevate the student experience throughout the lifelong journey of education for more than 100 years. For more information about Herff Jones, please visit www.herffjones.com.

Herff Jones, Inc. and its affiliates are equal opportunity employers and maintain affirmative action plans to recruit, retain, develop, and promote qualified individuals without unlawful consideration of race, gender, gender identity, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Herff Jones strives to maintain a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, where associates are treated with respect and dignity.

Any employment agency, person or entity that submits a résumé into this career site or to a hiring manager does so with the understanding that the applicant's résumé will become the property of Herff Jones. Herff Jones will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.

Salary : $92,000 - $125,000