Director of Continuous Improvement

Director of Continuous Improvement at Q Works Group Director of Continuous Improvement at Q Works Group in Pageland, South Carolina Posted in about 1 hour ago.

Type:

full-time

Job Description:

Director of Continuous Improvement Your Challenge Work closely with the regional COO or business group COO to build the CI network aligned with operational strategy Support Plant/Site Managers, APU Managers, and CI Managers in understanding and applying Lean strategies and tools Support production supervisors in understanding standard work adherence and their role in continuous improvement Ensure the CI Manager network is appropriately staffed and developed for success Manage the Plant/Site CI Manager network, including performance reviews, training plans, recruitment input, and Lean capability development Organize network meetings and on-the-job training Drive cross-site sharing of best practices within the region or division Ensure Lean principles are integrated into new projects at the appropriate stage Validate site Lean deployment plans against group directives, including Smart Factory / Industry 4.0 initiatives Support deployment of site improvement roadmaps and strategic priorities Identify opportunities for SQDICP performance improvement Deploy and track group initiatives across the region or division Ensure regular site presence to confirm alignment with priorities and execution standards Coach Plant/Site leadership teams on Lean implementation and production system development Conduct Gemba walks to verify Lean roadmap execution and follow-up progress plans Challenge site budgets and financial assumptions during planning phases Validate and track direct labor and equipment productivity improvement actions Ensure accurate Lean reporting across sites Contribute to development of Lean standards and tools Support Industry 4.0 / Smart Factory implementation Act as a developer of the Production System roadmap Participate in group Kaizen events, committees, and town halls Support special group initiatives as required Troubleshoot and support sites during operational or performance crises Review productivity initiatives and ensure alignment across business group sites Assess applicability of productivity ideas across multiple sites and drive standardization Ensure proper payback tracking for productivity projects Support workshops at internal sites and supplier locations to drive savings Continuously monitor top productivity initiatives across sites Organize monthly productivity review meetings Remove roadblocks to ensure timely execution of key projects Encourage idea generation and ensure proper escalation and tracking Benchmark internal and external best practices and drive deployment across sites Evaluate scalability of key projects across all sites Coach project managers in leading cost reduction workshops across materials, labor, packaging, transportation, and other cost drivers Requirements Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Lean manufacturing experience in automotive or similar industries (8+ years) Strong background in purchasing, program management, manufacturing, and/or supply chain management ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) preferred Targeted Attributes 10+ years of Lean methodology experience (Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, Muda elimination, Standard Work, Cycle Time Balancing, SMED, TPM, Value Stream Mapping, Lean layout design, DFSS, etc.) Experience in Smart Factory / Industry 4.0 implementation (MES, e-Kanban, AGVs, robotics, etc.) Experience developing Lean training systems, tools, and methodologies Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with data-driven decision-making Excellent leadership and communication skills with ability to influence across all levels Strong change management capability and cultural transformation experience Proficiency in Lean tools and software (PowerPoint, Excel, AutoCAD, process mapping tools) Strong international mindset and ability to operate in a global organization Ability to lead and motivate teams to achieve continuous savings and performance improvement