{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"fd86eefca32295246ed80e1f","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/fd86eefca32295246ed80e1f","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/fd86eefca32295246ed80e1f","title":"Program Manager - Process Development & Improvement","description":"The Process Improvement Lead is Applied Fluid Power's owner of how work moves through the system, warehouse, and production floor - from order receipt to shipment - and how that work gets standardized, measured, and sustained across AFP's subsidiaries. This role sits at the intersection of Lean practice and daily operations, responsible for value stream design, labor productivity, and the pilot-to-standard process that turns a good idea into how a site actually runs.\n\nThis is a foundational hire for AFP's operational excellence build-out. A pilot only matters if it survives after the improvement team leaves the building - this role owns that handoff.\n\nValue Stream Design & Lean Implementation\n\nLead end-to-end Value Stream Mapping of the order-to-ship process across representative distribution operations.\nDesign and document standard order-to-ship processes, clearly defining flow, handoffs, controls, and performance expectations.\nIdentify waste, delay, and variability within the value stream and recommend practical improvements.\nEnsure process designs balance customer service, throughput, labor efficiency, and scalability.\nApply warehouse and production Lean tools including 5S, standard work, visual management, and layout optimization.\n\nLabor Productivity & Performance Baselines\n\nBuild labor productivity models to establish baseline performance by function (receiving, picking, manufacturing, assembly, packing, shipping)\nBenchmark performance across sites to identify opportunity gaps and best practices.\nReduce order cycle time and labor cost per order through process redesign and constraint removal.\nApply throughput and constraint analysis to focus improvement efforts where they deliver the highest impact.\nEstablish repeatable performance baselines for cycle time, productivity, utilization, and throughput.\nEnsure metrics are clearly defined, consistently calculated, and understood by operations.\nSupport ongoing continuous improvement by enabling fact-based problem solving - not anecdotal debate.\nPartner with local leaders to translate data into actionable improvements.\n\nPilot Execution & Enterprise Deployment\n\nLead improvement pilots in representative subsidiaries to validate process designs and assumptions.\nRapidly incorporate operator and supervisor feedback to refine standards.\nEnsure pilots demonstrate measurable improvements before broader rollout.\nDocument lessons learned to accelerate enterprise adoption\n\nHandoff, Sustainability & Capability Building\n\nHand off sustainable standards to local operations with clear ownership and accountability\nTrain supervisors and frontline teams on new processes and performance expectations\nEnsure improvements are embedded into daily management routines - not dependent on ongoing CI support.\nVerify that gains are sustained after handoff.\n\nCommunication & Collaboration\n\nCommunicate clearly and respectfully with operations, supply chain, engineering, and leadership teams.\nFacilitate improvement workshops and working sessions with structure, purpose, and outcomes.\nTranslate Lean concepts into practical, operator-level understanding.\nEscalate risks, constraints, or resistance early with proposed countermeasures.\nAdhere to all company policies, with particular focus on safety, quality, and operational discipline.\n\nWhat We're Looking For\n\nRequired\n\nHigh School Diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred.\n5+ years of experience with Lean implementation and standard work\nStrong understanding of distribution, manufacturing, or industrial business processes (order management, procurement, inventory, service)\nDemonstrated ability to design and document business processes that produce clean, structured data.\nExperience working across multiple business units or subsidiaries with varying levels of process maturity.\nComfortable operating in ambiguity, spending significant time on the floor, and working without a large team beneath you.\n\nPreferred\n\nExperience benchmarking labor productivity or throughput across multiple sites.\nFamiliarity with warehouse or distribution operations in a fluid power, industrial distribution, or manufacturing environment\nPrior experience leading Lean pilots through to enterprise-wide rollout\n\nFounded in 1923, Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT) is a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. Our leading brands, specialized services, and comprehensive knowledge serve MRO and OEM end users in virtually all industrial markets through our multi-channel capabilities that provide choice, convenience, and expertise.\n\nApplied Industrial Technologies is built on a philosophy that puts people first. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to a workforce in which we enforce fair treatment and provide growth opportunities for everyone. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, race, color, national origin, genetics, religion, gender, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.","company":"Appliedindustrialtechnologies","rawCompany":"appliedindustrialtechnologies","city":"Lenexa","state":"KS","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-10-31T09:21:04.680Z","occupations":[{"code":"11-3051.00","title":"Industrial Production Managers","slug":"industrial-production-managers"},{"code":"13-1111.00","title":"Management Analysts","slug":"management-analysts"},{"code":"11-1021.00","title":"General and Operations Managers","slug":"general-and-operations-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"541614","title":"Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services","slug":"process-physical-distribution-and-logistics-consulting-services"},{"code":"811310","title":"Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance","slug":"commercial-and-industrial-machinery-and-equipment-except-automotive-and-electronic-repair-and-maintenance"},{"code":"541611","title":"Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services","slug":"administrative-management-and-general-management-consulting-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Program Manager - Process Development & Improvement","description":"The Process Improvement Lead is Applied Fluid Power's owner of how work moves through the system, warehouse, and production floor - from order receipt to shipment - and how that work gets standardized, measured, and sustained across AFP's subsidiaries. This role sits at the intersection of Lean practice and daily operations, responsible for value stream design, labor productivity, and the pilot-to-standard process that turns a good idea into how a site actually runs.\n\nThis is a foundational hire for AFP's operational excellence build-out. A pilot only matters if it survives after the improvement team leaves the building - this role owns that handoff.\n\nValue Stream Design & Lean Implementation\n\nLead end-to-end Value Stream Mapping of the order-to-ship process across representative distribution operations.\nDesign and document standard order-to-ship processes, clearly defining flow, handoffs, controls, and performance expectations.\nIdentify waste, delay, and variability within the value stream and recommend practical improvements.\nEnsure process designs balance customer service, throughput, labor efficiency, and scalability.\nApply warehouse and production Lean tools including 5S, standard work, visual management, and layout optimization.\n\nLabor Productivity & Performance Baselines\n\nBuild labor productivity models to establish baseline performance by function (receiving, picking, manufacturing, assembly, packing, shipping)\nBenchmark performance across sites to identify opportunity gaps and best practices.\nReduce order cycle time and labor cost per order through process redesign and constraint removal.\nApply throughput and constraint analysis to focus improvement efforts where they deliver the highest impact.\nEstablish repeatable performance baselines for cycle time, productivity, utilization, and throughput.\nEnsure metrics are clearly defined, consistently calculated, and understood by operations.\nSupport ongoing continuous improvement by enabling fact-based problem solving - not anecdotal debate.\nPartner with local leaders to translate data into actionable improvements.\n\nPilot Execution & Enterprise Deployment\n\nLead improvement pilots in representative subsidiaries to validate process designs and assumptions.\nRapidly incorporate operator and supervisor feedback to refine standards.\nEnsure pilots demonstrate measurable improvements before broader rollout.\nDocument lessons learned to accelerate enterprise adoption\n\nHandoff, Sustainability & Capability Building\n\nHand off sustainable standards to local operations with clear ownership and accountability\nTrain supervisors and frontline teams on new processes and performance expectations\nEnsure improvements are embedded into daily management routines - not dependent on ongoing CI support.\nVerify that gains are sustained after handoff.\n\nCommunication & Collaboration\n\nCommunicate clearly and respectfully with operations, supply chain, engineering, and leadership teams.\nFacilitate improvement workshops and working sessions with structure, purpose, and outcomes.\nTranslate Lean concepts into practical, operator-level understanding.\nEscalate risks, constraints, or resistance early with proposed countermeasures.\nAdhere to all company policies, with particular focus on safety, quality, and operational discipline.\n\nWhat We're Looking For\n\nRequired\n\nHigh School Diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred.\n5+ years of experience with Lean implementation and standard work\nStrong understanding of distribution, manufacturing, or industrial business processes (order management, procurement, inventory, service)\nDemonstrated ability to design and document business processes that produce clean, structured data.\nExperience working across multiple business units or subsidiaries with varying levels of process maturity.\nComfortable operating in ambiguity, spending significant time on the floor, and working without a large team beneath you.\n\nPreferred\n\nExperience benchmarking labor productivity or throughput across multiple sites.\nFamiliarity with warehouse or distribution operations in a fluid power, industrial distribution, or manufacturing environment\nPrior experience leading Lean pilots through to enterprise-wide rollout\n\nFounded in 1923, Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT) is a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. Our leading brands, specialized services, and comprehensive knowledge serve MRO and OEM end users in virtually all industrial markets through our multi-channel capabilities that provide choice, convenience, and expertise.\n\nApplied Industrial Technologies is built on a philosophy that puts people first. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to a workforce in which we enforce fair treatment and provide growth opportunities for everyone. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, race, color, national origin, genetics, religion, gender, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.","datePosted":"2026-10-31T09:21:04.680Z","dateModified":"2026-10-31T09:21:04.680Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Appliedindustrialtechnologies","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Lenexa","addressRegion":"KS","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"fd86eefca32295246ed80e1f"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/fd86eefca32295246ed80e1f"}}