Continuous Improvement Manager

A well-established discrete manufacturing company in Cary, IL is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to drive Lean initiatives and build a culture of operational excellence across the plant. This is a highly visible role focused on improving safety, quality, delivery, and productivity through structured CI methodologies.This position is ideal for a hands-on leader who can work directly with production teams, develop frontline leaders, and implement sustainable process improvements.What You’ll DoLead and execute Lean / Continuous Improvement initiatives across manufacturing operationsPartner with Production, Quality, and Materials to identify and eliminate waste, bottlenecks, and inefficienciesDrive improvements in key metrics (safety, quality, on-time delivery, productivity, OEE)Facilitate root cause analysis (RCA), problem-solving, and corrective actionsImplement and sustain Lean tools (5S, standard work, visual management, Kaizen, TPM, etc.)Coach and develop supervisors and team leads on CI principles and daily executionSupport production teams on the floor to ensure adoption and sustainability of improvementsHelp build structure, discipline, and operating rhythms within the plantWhat We’re Looking ForExperience in Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Engineering, or Production leadershipStrong background in discrete manufacturing (assembly, fabrication, machining, forming, etc.)Hands-on Lean / CI experience with proven results (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, TPM, etc.)Ability to work cross-functionally and influence at all levels of the organizationComfortable being on the shop floor and driving change with production teamsStrong problem-solving and data-driven decision-making skillsBachelor’s degree preferredWhy This RoleHigh visibility role with direct impact on plant performanceOpportunity to help shape CI culture in a growing organizationPath for career growth into broader operations leadershipCompetitive compensation + bonus + full benefits package