Continuous Improvement Leader

The Continuous Improvement Leader is responsible for leading and sustaining continuous improvement initiatives across the organization using Lean methodologies. This role drives process optimization, waste reduction, and operational excellence by engaging teams, coaching leaders, and ensuring alignment with business goals. The Lean Manager partners with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, implement solutions, and build a culture of continuous improvement.

Essential/Key Functions:

• Lead the implementation of Lean principles, tools, and techniques across departments to improve quality, efficiency, and productivity.

• Lead a team that supports value stream mapping, Kaizen events, root cause analyses, and other Lean workshops.

• Collaborate with leadership to define and prioritize continuous improvement initiatives aligned with strategic goals.

• Develop metrics and dashboards to track improvement progress and sustainability.

• Coach and mentor employees at all levels in Lean thinking and problem-solving methods.

• Standardize best practices and support the deployment of Lean systems company-wide.

• Evaluate processes using data-driven analysis to identify waste (defects, overproduction, waiting, etc.).

• Drive cross-functional projects focused on cost reduction, process simplification, and customer satisfaction.

• Partner with training to develop Lean capability programs.

• Ensure continuous improvement activities comply with safety, quality, and compliance standards.

• Ensure sustainability through regular layered audits and feedback loops.

Management Responsibilities:  

• Ensure sustainability through regular layered audits and feedback loops.

Minimum (Required) Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (B.S./B.A.) or equivalent from a college or university in Engineering, Business, Operations Management or comparable field.

• Minimum of 7 years related Lean experience as a practitioner and/or utilization of tools and principles to deliver results

• Expert knowledge of Lean Manufacturing Principles, Lean Management System, 5S, CI, SMED, Root Cause Analysis, 5 Why, Standard Work, 3P, Poke Yoke, etc. required

• Proven track record of leading successful Lean transformations or large-scale process improvement initiatives.

• Demonstrated ability to teach, mentor, and coach required

• Strong leadership and change agent skills required

• Excellent team facilitation skills required

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Physical, Mental and Environmental Requirements:

Good mobility, vision and other senses required to be able to move under, over, and around production equipment, facility equipment, manufactured products, buildings and grounds

Work Environment:

Employee may be regularly exposed to moving equipment, mechanical parts in motion, risk of shock and other hazards associated with a manufacturing environment such as overhead cranes, welding, machining, painting etc

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The ADA defines "reasonable accommodation" as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job, and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer. Examples of reasonable accommodations may include:

• Additional modifying equipment or devices;

• Modified work schedules;

• Providing an interpreter; or

• Making the work environment readily accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Who we are: 

Milacron is a global leader in the manufacture, distribution and service of highly engineered and customized systems within the $27 billion plastic technology and processing industry. We are the only global company with a full-line product portfolio that includes hot runner systems, injection molding, extrusion equipment. We maintain strong market positions across these products, as well as leading positions in process control systems, mold bases and components, maintenance, repair and operating ("MRO") supplies for plastic processing equipment. Our strategy is to deliver highly customized equipment, components and service to our customers throughout the lifecycle of their plastic processing technology systems.

EEO: The policy of Milacron is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or veteran status.  We are committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and offer opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.