The Lean Manufacturing Lead is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. This role serves as a Lean champion, partnering with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, eliminate waste, streamline processes, and implement sustainable operational improvements. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Lean Manufacturing, change management, and employee development within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing principles and tools, including Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 5S, Standard Work, SMED, Visual Management, and Poka-Yoke.

• Identify and prioritize opportunities to improve productivity, quality, throughput, and cost efficiency through process analysis and waste reduction activities.

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement by coaching, mentoring, and training employees at all organizational levels on Lean concepts and methodologies.

• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Maintenance teams to implement sustainable process improvements.

• Develop and maintain Lean roadmaps, project pipelines, and continuous improvement strategies aligned with business objectives.

• Establish, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and impact of improvement initiatives.

• Facilitate root cause analysis, corrective actions, and preventive actions to address operational challenges and recurring issues.

• Support new product introductions and manufacturing transfers by incorporating Lean principles into process design and execution.

• Lead change management efforts to ensure successful adoption and sustainment of process improvements.

• Promote a culture of operational excellence, accountability, problem-solving, and employee engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations excellence, continuous improvement, or Lean leadership roles.

• Demonstrated success leading Lean transformation initiatives and facilitating Kaizen events.

• Strong working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, including 5S, Standard Work, SMED, Kanban, Visual Management, Value Stream Mapping, and Root Cause Analysis.

• Experience using data to identify opportunities, measure results, and drive decision-making.

• Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

• Experience in high-volume manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, or regulated production environments.

• Knowledge of ERP/MES systems and manufacturing performance metrics.

• Experience leading site-wide operational excellence or continuous improvement programs.