Continuous Improvement Manager

Cremer North America
United States, Ohio, Cincinnati
Aug 07, 2025
Continuous Improvement Manager Reporting directly to the VP of Operations, the Continuous Improvement Manager is a strategic leader responsible for driving the implementation and sustainability of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) Operating System and principles across the Cincinnati complex, while providing periodic guidance and support to the Dayton and Lake Charles sites. This role partners closely with site leadership and cross-functional teams to embed a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and waste elimination through the deployment of WCM methodologies. The Continuous Improvement Manager focuses on a hands-on approach to implementing changes and fostering a collaborative environment, which is vital for achieving long-term goals and maintaining competitiveness. POSITION REQUIREMENTS Education, Credentials, Licenses: Bachelor's degree in engineering required, or +5 years related experience in a manufacturing environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience Kind & Length of Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, or WCM roles. Proven track record of leading cross-functional improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment. Preferred Skills Strong knowledge of WCM, Lean, Six Sigma, and related methodologies. Lean certification highly preferred. Experience in regulated industries and/or contract manufacturing is a plus. Familiarity with ISO Quality Management Systems. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience in global organizations is a plus. PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND STANDARDS WCM Strategy & Deployment Lead the strategic rollout of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) across the Cincinnati complex, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and operational priorities. Serve as the primary WCM subject matter expert, providing structured guidance and periodic support to Dayton and Lake Charles facilities to ensure consistency and sustainability of WCM systems. Develop and maintain a site-specific WCM roadmap, including milestones, resource planning, and performance targets. Establish and facilitate local WCM pillar owners to prioritize initiatives, monitor progress, and ensure cross-functional engagement. Collaborate with site leadership to integrate WCM principles into daily operations, fostering a culture of ownership and accountability. Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Identify and lead high-impact improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, cost, delivery, and employee engagement. Conduct detailed process analyses including time studies, workflow assessments, and value stream mapping to uncover inefficiencies and drive productivity. Facilitate structured problem-solving sessions using PDCA, DMAIC, and other methodologies to address root causes and implement corrective actions. Lead Kaizen events from planning through execution and follow-up, ensuring measurable outcomes and sustained improvements. Support the implementation of Lean tools such as 5S, SMED, Autonomous Maintenance, and Visual Factory to standardize operations and eliminate waste. Monitor and audit improvement activities to ensure results are achieved, documented, and sustained over time. Training and Capability Building: Develop and deliver training on WCM tools and methodologies (5S, SMED, Autonomous Maintenance, EWO, OPL, etc.). Mentor and coach "change agents" and cross-functional teams to build internal capability and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Develop engaging training materials and facilitate workshops that promote hands-on learning and practical application of WCM concepts. Support leadership development by embedding CI thinking into standard work and decision-making processes. Performance Measurement and Reporting: Establish and maintain robust measurement systems to track CI initiatives, quantify improvements, and identify new opportunities. Collaborate with teams to define and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that reflect operational health and CI progress. Provide regular updates to senior leadership on CI activities, ROI, and strategic alignment using data-driven insights. Participate in customer-facing meetings to communicate reliability, quality, and cost improvement efforts. Lead Visual Factory initiatives to enhance transparency, communication, and performance tracking across areas. Partner with department leaders to develop project proposals based on GEMBA observations and operational data. Ensure leadership standard work is current, consistently executed, and aligned with best practices. Other duties Foster Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue among team members to share ideas, concerns, and feedback. Build Trust and Respect: Creating a supportive atmosphere where team members feel valued and respected, which is essential for effective teamwork. Encourage Innovation: Promoting a culture where innovation and creative problem-solving are encouraged and rewarded. Employee can be asked to perform other duties that are reasonable within the area of expertise Skills and Competencies Must have a high level of self-motivation At ease and engaging as a Trainer and agent of change Strong written and verbal communication skills Strong organizational skills Highly results oriented and focused on business priorities, with a successful record of accomplishments Ability to effectively manage multiple assignments concurrently, including ability to assess and manage priorities Travel Requirements Some internation travel and domestic travel less than 10% Peter Cremer Training Required We will follow the company written training program for this position. Customer Service, Teamwork & Code of Conduct Maintain a safe, legal and environmentally protective operation Listen to our customers, suppliers and employees Respond quickly to customer concerns Maintain training and follow set guidelines to meet customer or industry regulatory requirements for quality and safety applicable to GMP, quality and food safety requirements Report any food safety, security, and / or quality issues to management or the HACCP team to initiate action Provide flexible and innovative strategies to support new business opportunities Be cost effective in the utilization of our resources, thereby contributing to the profitability of Cremer North America, LP and our customers Strive for continued improvement Willing and eagerness to learn Maintain positive attitude. We are an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, pregnancy, including child birth or any related condition, gender identity or expression, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state, federal or local laws.