Sr Continuous Improvement Manager, Supply Chain

Tulsa, OK

Sr. Manager of Supply Chain Continuous Improvement

SUMMARY
The Manager of Supply Chain Continuous Improvement is responsible for leading and sustaining continuous improvement initiatives across the end-to-end supply chain, including sourcing, supplier performance, materials management, logistics, inventory flow, and cross-functional planning processes. This role serves as the Supply Chain CI leader, partnering closely with supply chain leadership, operations, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to improve service levels, reduce waste, strengthen process stability, improve working capital performance, and build a culture of continuous improvement across the supply chain.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager will be accountable to Supply Chain leadership and will partner closely with Continuous Improvement, Operations, Procurement, Planning, Logistics, and Supplier Quality teams to foster a culture of continuous improvement, enhance customer satisfaction, improve supply reliability, and reduce waste across the end-to-end supply chain.
Lead Supply Chain deployment of Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives to improve supplier performance, material availability, inventory accuracy, logistics execution, and customer service levels.
Execute strategic improvement plans using Value Stream Maps, Standard Work, root cause analysis, and Supply Chain KPI scorecards, including supplier delivery, inventory health, shortages, freight performance, and working capital metrics.
Facilitate Kaizen events, training, and hands-on Lean activities focused on supply planning, purchasing processes, material flow, supplier collaboration, warehouse processes, and logistics execution.
Drive a strong Gemba culture across supply chain processes by identifying off-standard conditions, implementing recovery plans, and supporting high-performing cross-functional teams.
Identify and deliver cost-saving, working capital, and operational efficiency opportunities through improved supplier performance, inventory optimization, freight reduction, and process standardization.
Ensure supply chain improvement activities meet safety, quality, regulatory, trade compliance, and business continuity requirements.
Serve as a change agent across Supply Chain, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional engagement.
Facilitate Kaizen events and value stream mapping sessions for sourcing, planning, inventory management, supplier performance, warehouse, and logistics processes.
Oversee standardization of supply chain processes, documentation, governance routines, and operating procedures.
Implement root cause analysis and corrective action plans for shortages, supplier disruptions, inventory discrepancies, excess freight, and process failures.
Benchmark supply chain best practices and integrate effective approaches into procurement, planning, materials, logistics, and supplier management processes.
Prepare executive-level reports and presentations on supply chain improvement outcomes, including service, cost, inventory, supplier performance, and risk reduction impacts.

REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, operations, engineering, business, or a related field.
5–8 years of experience in supply chain, procurement, planning, logistics, materials management, manufacturing, or operations, with 3–5 years supporting or leading Continuous Improvement / Lean initiatives in a supply chain or cross-functional environment.
Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority, driving results through collaboration with procurement, planning, operations, logistics, quality, finance, and suppliers.
Strong continuous improvement mindset, with experience supporting or leading supply chain process improvements, operational change initiatives, and performance management routines.
Solid analytical skills, with the ability to interpret supply chain data, identify root causes, and use insights to support decision-making and prioritization.
Customer-focused approach, demonstrating a commitment to internal and external customer satisfaction, supplier partnership, business continuity, and high ethical standards.
Effective problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to build consensus and address issues constructively.
Results-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced supply chain and manufacturing environment.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, capable of engaging supply chain leadership, plant leadership, suppliers, supervisors, and frontline associates.
Proven ability to build relationships and credibility across functions and with suppliers to support supply chain CI initiatives.
Working knowledge of financial concepts, cost drivers, working capital, inventory valuation, freight cost, and supplier economics, with the ability to support cost-reduction and efficiency efforts.

Preferred:

Experience in HVAC or related manufacturing industries with exposure to procurement, planning, supplier management, materials, or logistics.
CI practitioner with hands-on experience in supply chain, manufacturing, or operations environments and working knowledge of Lean principles.
Demonstrated experience leading or supporting cross-functional teams and improvement initiatives across procurement, planning, materials, logistics, supplier quality, and plant operations.
Solid understanding of supply chain planning processes, operational metrics, supplier performance management, inventory management, and end-to-end performance routines.
Proven experience facilitating Kaizen events, Gemba walks, and applying Toyota Production System principles to improve supply chain and operational processes.
Demonstrated ability to support change management efforts and influence supply chain leaders, plant leaders, suppliers, supervisors, and frontline teams through collaboration and coaching.
Strong working knowledge of Lean, process improvement, quality management, inventory control, supplier management, and logistics improvement tools, with the ability to apply them effectively in daily operations.
Effective project management skills with a strong commitment to continuous improvement, supply chain execution discipline, and measurable business results.