Continuous Improvement Lead

Continuous Improvement Manager

Direct Hire with Company Benefits

Location: Rockford, IL area

Summary

TES Recruiting is partnering with a growing manufacturer seeking a hands-on Continuous Improvement Manager to build and sustain a Lean operating system across a complex custom equipment manufacturing environment.

We are seeking a proven Lean leader who has successfully built Lean systems from the ground up, improved operational performance, and created sustainable cultures of accountability and continuous improvement. (Someone that has experience building a system is critical.)

The successful candidate will work across engineering, scheduling, procurement, warehouse, fabrication, assembly, and leadership teams to improve on-time delivery, streamline operations, and establish world-class business processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Building and sustaining a Lean Business System across the organization.
• Improving on-time delivery through better planning, scheduling, kitting, material flow, and execution.
• Driving 5S, visual management, leader standard work, and daily accountability systems.
• Implementing cellular manufacturing and improving production flow.
• Streamlining the entire Order-to-Cash process.
• Leading Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Developing standard work, formal training systems, and problem-solving disciplines.
• Improving warehouse, stockroom, inventory, and material management processes.
• Partnering with engineering and operations teams to improve product flow from design release through final assembly.
• Building internal Lean capability by coaching leaders and developing Continuous Improvement champions.
• Strong knowledge of Lean and implementing lean principles: 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Daily Management Systems, Problem Solving, Material Flow, Cellular Manufacturing, Visual Management, Policy Deployment / Hoshin Planning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence experience.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt strongly preferred; Master Black Belt a plus.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean systems from the ground up.
• Experience leading Kaizen events and driving measurable operational improvements.
• Experience influencing change without direct authority.
• Experience working in engineer-to-order, custom equipment, project-based, or high-mix manufacturing environments highly preferred.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is not someone who has simply worked within a mature Lean system. We are looking for a builder; someone who has entered challenging environments, established structure, developed teams, improved execution, and delivered measurable business results.

This opportunity is ideal for a Continuous Improvement professional seeking a highly visible role with the opportunity to make a significant impact on operational performance and company growth.