Continuous Improvement Engineer

Drive operational excellence through process optimization, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. This role is highly visible and impactful within the organization and serves as a developing leadership position responsible for improving manufacturing capability, equipment reliability, process stability, and operational efficiency while supporting a culture of safety, accountability, standardization, and employee engagement. Organizational Development - 30% Integrate safety into all improvement initiatives while developing and sustaining standardized work that supports safe, efficient, and repeatable operations. Foster a culture of continuous improvement through structured problem solving, visual management, and data-driven decision making. Build strong working relationships with shop floor employees, frontline leadership, and cross-functional teams to drive engagement, accountability, and operational improvements. Partner effectively with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Technology teams to support collaboration, communication, and alignment across the organization. Support leadership development by influencing teams, facilitating change, and promoting employee involvement in continuous improvement activities. Demonstrate strong project management, organizational, and communication skills while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Operational Excellence - 70% Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, throughput, scrap reduction, downtime reduction, machine reliability, and cost savings. Analyze operational data to identify process gaps, determine root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions. Improve manufacturing performance through Lean Manufacturing and structured problem-solving methodologies including DMAIC, Kaizen, 8D, 5 Whys, FMEA, and SPC. Develop, implement, and sustain standardized work, visual management systems, and operational best practices. Support process optimization, equipment performance improvements, and new product introductions while maintaining quality and customer expectations. Manage and prioritize a continuous improvement project pipeline aligned with business objectives and operational priorities. Track, measure, and communicate the effectiveness of improvement initiatives through KPIs, dashboards, and performance reporting. Lead projects from concept through implementation while ensuring safety compliance, timeline execution, budget adherence, and expected financial return. Share and standardize successful operational practices across departments, shifts, and sites to improve consistency and accelerate continuous improvement adoption. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field preferred. Minimum of 3 years of manufacturing experience with demonstrated success leading process improvement initiatives. Experience in Lean Manufacturing, operational excellence, or continuous improvement environments preferred. Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and project management skills. Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and work effectively with shop floor employees and frontline leadership. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, along with statistical and operational analysis tools such as Minitab. Up to 10% travel required. M2SP #Nekoosa