Manufacturing Process Improvement Manager

Job description

### Manufacturing Process Improvement Manager **Location:** Virginia Beach, VA **Job Type:** Full-Time **Salary:** Starting at $85,000/year; higher salary available based on experience ### Position Overview We are seeking a **Manufacturing Process Improvement Manager** to lead continuous improvement efforts across manufacturing and operations. This position focuses on improving productivity, labor efficiency, cycle times, quality, safety, and on-time delivery through **Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and structured problem-solving**. This is a hands-on leadership role that works directly with production teams and leadership to identify problems, improve processes, and establish sustainable solutions. ### Key Responsibilities - Lead and manage continuous improvement initiatives aligned with operational goals. - Identify opportunities to improve processes, productivity, workflow, and cost efficiency. - Facilitate **Kaizen events, process improvement workshops, and root cause analysis**. - Apply **Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, and change management** methodologies. - Analyze processes and operational data to identify bottlenecks, waste, and improvement opportunities. - Develop and implement practical, sustainable process improvements on the manufacturing floor. - Train, coach, and mentor employees on CI tools and techniques. - Establish and monitor **KPIs** to measure improvement results and program performance. - Track labor efficiency, cycle time, quality, safety, and delivery improvements. - Present project results, recommendations, and progress to plant and senior leadership. - Partner with multiple departments to build engagement and accountability around improvement initiatives. - Support all shifts as needed to implement and sustain improvement projects. - Evaluate workflow and capital investment opportunities that can improve labor efficiency. - Ensure improvement activities support safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. ### Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in **Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field**; equivalent experience may be considered. - **5+ years of experience** leading or implementing continuous improvement programs in a manufacturing environment. - Experience in **engineer-to-order, fabrication, industrial, or manufacturing operations** preferred. - **Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement certification** strongly preferred. - Proven ability to lead improvement projects with measurable operational results. - Strong knowledge of **Lean principles, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, Kaizen, and change management**. - Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret operational data. - Strong leadership and ability to influence teams across departments and organizational levels. - Excellent **presentation, communication, facilitation, and training skills**. - Strong project management, organization, and time management skills. - Advanced proficiency with **Microsoft Office**. - Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. - Self-motivated, analytical, and committed to **safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence**. ### Work & Physical Requirements - Regularly walk the production floor and interact with manufacturing teams. - Ability to stand, bend, and move throughout manufacturing areas during assessments and improvement activities. - Occasionally lift up to **50 lbs.** - Ability to support multiple shifts and work flexible hours when improvement initiatives require it. - Comfortable working in both **office and manufacturing environments**.