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Continuous Improvement Director
Detroit, MI · ManufacturingOur client is a leading, globally recognized supplier in the automotive industry, known for innovation, quality, and operational excellence. With over 20 manufacturing and operational sites worldwide, the organization is committed to delivering world-class products while continuously improving systems, processes, and performance. As the company continues to scale and evolve, they are seeking a passionate, experienced, and results-driven Director of Continuous Improvement to lead global transformation efforts and instill a culture of operational excellence across all locations.
Position Summary:
The Director of Continuous Improvement will be responsible for developing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive continuous improvement (CI) strategy across all global sites. This executive-level role will drive efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness through Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and other best practices in operational excellence. Reporting directly to senior leadership, this position will influence site-level operations while ensuring alignment with corporate strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities:
QUALIFICATIONS:
Position Summary:
The Director of Continuous Improvement will be responsible for developing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive continuous improvement (CI) strategy across all global sites. This executive-level role will drive efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness through Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and other best practices in operational excellence. Reporting directly to senior leadership, this position will influence site-level operations while ensuring alignment with corporate strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and lead the global continuous improvement strategy across 20+ manufacturing and operational sites
- Build and manage a high-performing CI team that partners closely with site leadership and functional heads
- Implement Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other process improvement initiatives to drive measurable performance gains
- Establish and monitor KPIs and metrics that track progress toward CI goals across sites
- Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities in areas such as productivity, quality, lead time, and cost reduction
- Coach, mentor, and train site leadership and staff in continuous improvement methodologies
- Foster a culture of problem-solving, accountability, and sustained excellence
- Serve as a key change agent, ensuring alignment of CI efforts with broader business objectives
- Support new site launches, integrations, and global standardization initiatives
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in business related field, prefer manufacturing, engineering or quality, master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of eight (8) – ten (10) years in a manufacturing environment with experience in a metal/s environment preferred, and five (5) years of supervisory/management experience.
- Possess knowledge of plant department functions and corresponding roles and interactions to facilitate overall plant synergy.
- Strong understanding and experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Strong working knowledge of Operations Planning, Supply Chain Management & Material Flow.
- Certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt are desirable
- Strong facilitation, coaching, analytical, problem-solving, project management, and leadership skills.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, facilitation, communication, and presentation skills are necessary.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and statistical analysis software.
- Drive the mapping of workflows, remove waste and non-value-added activities, and recommend solutions. Lead implementation of changes, acting as leader, manager, and mentor of entire organization.