Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager (Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence)

Position Description for

Continuous Improvement Manager, QSC, CLE Company:

Quality Steel Corporation Reports to:

Plant Manager, QSC, CLE Location:

Cleveland, MS Company Overview:

Quality Steel Corporation is a family-owned manufacturing company founded in 1957 by Lowry Tims. For nearly seven decades, the company has been committed to building high-quality products while caring for employees, serving customers, and supporting the communities where we operate. Quality Steel manufactures propane storage tanks for residential and commercial use, along with anhydrous and dispenser tanks that serve customers across the propane industry. Quality is not just in our name, it is a foundational principle reflected in our products, our processes, and our people. We continuously invest in our people and operations to provide reliable products and exceptional value to our customers. As an employee-owned company through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), our employees share in the success of the business. Combined with competitive benefits, including a 401(k) match, we are committed to creating a supportive workplace where employees can build long-term careers and contribute to the continued strength of our company.

Position Summary:

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager leads the execution of the Continuous Improvement strategy and key initiatives within Cleveland site operations while supporting QSC programs across manufacturing. This role partners closely with operations leadership to drive improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and productivity. The CI Manager oversees the site CI team and programs, ensuring alignment with operational priorities and the delivery of measurable results. This position also leads the training, implementation, and sustainment of the lean systematic approach to support standardized tracking and reporting, while working collaboratively with leaders and employees across the organization to support and sustain continuous improvement in daily operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee site CI team activities and improvement projects, ensuring timely completion and alignment with operational priorities. Ensure programs and initiatives support KPI's, including Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Productivity.
• Provides coaching, structure and guidance on execution of organizational X-matrix initiatives and A3 goals.
• Provides guidance and structure to sites in utilization of CI standards and methodologies to drive site ownership.
• Oversee technical training for site operations, ensuring the Technical Training Coordinator develops training materials in collaboration with site operations.
• Oversee the site lean systematic approach, ensuring accuracy and currency of data, standard implementation and training on the system.
• Lead by example, demonstrating LT Corp's "How we Lead" (servant leader, devoted, resilient, growth mindset, team player, trustworthy, fun-loving) leadership traits and reinforcing LT Corp's purpose, core beliefs, and values to all team members.
• Lead and direct the continuous improvement team, managing performance by setting goals and coaching and developing team members in "How we Lead" to achieve results and reinforce the positive culture.
• Lead change and transformation across the organization, enabling others to adapt and transition to new methods and processes.
• Collaborate across the organization especially with safety, quality and operations to implement improvements.
• Report on all assigned Site CI activities and their progress.
• Certified in or expect to obtain Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Gold Level Lean, ASQ Black Belt, and SCRUM master level.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience implementing a continuous improvement and lean culture in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated tactical deployment of KPIs.
• Demonstrated experience leading CI programs and projects.
• Experience with Level 3 Value Stream Mapping preferred
• Experience with Lucid Chart (Modeling software) and MiniTab (Six-Sigma software) preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Self-directed; able to lead others
• Ability to lead strategic Kaizen Events across sites with various levels of leadership
• Ability to lead advanced problem-solving sessions across site(s) with various levels of leadership
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts through various methods to various audiences.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Education and Certification Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field preferred. Equivalent work experience of 5+ years with demonstrated results will also be considered. Travel
• Up to 20% travel may be required to other Quality Steel sites.

Quality Steel is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$100,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching

Work Location:

In person