Continuous Improvement Manager

Why Join Us?

At Ace Sanitary, we believe our people are our greatest asset and a key driver of our continued growth. You will join a fast-growing, values-driven organization where CI has a visible opportunity to impact business results and drive success. This role is ideal for someone who wants to build practical programs, partner closely with leaders, and create the conditions for employees and teams to do their best work. Learn more at www.acesanitary.com.

Position Summary:

This is a highly visible individual contributor role responsible for establishing and leading Continuous Improvement across Ace Sanitary's manufacturing operations. As our first dedicated CI professional, you will identify opportunities, facilitate improvement events, partner with operations leaders, and personally lead projects that improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and employee engagement. This role is both strategic and hands-on—you'll spend significant time on the manufacturing floor working directly with operators, supervisors, engineers, and leadership to solve problems and implement sustainable improvements.

Ace Sanitary manufactures multi-use sanitary hose assemblies for food, beverage, pharmaceutical and industrial markets, along with single-use silicone tubing assemblies produced in a cleanroom environment. Continuous Improvement efforts span cutting, crimping, assembly, pressure testing, inspection, extrusion, cleanroom operations, material flow, and supporting business processes.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and deploy comprehensive continuous improvement strategy and tools aligned with organizational goals, objectives and lean principles.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the organization.
• Provide training and mentorship to employees at all levels on continuous improvement principles and implementing SOP’s for sustainability. Coach supervisors and managers to become Lean leaders capable of sustaining improvements independently.
• Collaborate with leadership and cross functional teams to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets for improvement.
• Utilize data analysis tools and techniques to identify trends, root causes of issues, and opportunities for improvement, such as improvements in flow, labor productivity, quality, visual management, 5S, and standard work.
• Utilize Lean methodologies, such as Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and GEMBA Walks, and Six Sigma methodologies to drive improvement projects and reduce waste. Spend significant time on the manufacturing floor observing work, identifying waste, facilitating problem solving, and partnering with production teams to implement practical improvements.
• Lead change management initiatives associated with process improvements, ensuring effective communication and buy-in at all levels of the organization.
• Provide guidance and support to teams in adapting to new processes and methodologies.
• Plan, execute, and oversee continuous improvement projects from initiation to completion.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and meet predefined success criteria.
• Implement strategies to close performance gaps and achieve best-in-class status.
• Collaborate with various departments and teams to identify cross-functional improvement opportunities.
• Prepare and present regular reports on the progress of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain documentation of processes, improvements, and best practices.
• Other duties as assigned

What Makes You Successful:

· This is a “department of one” role. Success requires the ability to successfully balance strategic planning with hands-on execution, while influencing without direct authority.

• Ability to potentially lead and develop direct reports in the future
• Positive communication and interpersonal skills
• Good attention to detail
• Ability to self-motivate and meet deadlines
• Works well in a supportive, fast-paced team environment
• Strong project management skills.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in data analysis tools.
• Change management experience and the ability to influence and motivate teams.
• Success After 12 Months Looks Like:
• Established a sustainable CI program
• Completed multiple Kaizen events
• Improved throughput
• Reduced manufacturing waste
• Increased productivity
• Improved first-pass yield
• Standardized KPIs
• Developed Lean capability within supervisors
• Embedded a culture of continuous improvement

Culture:

• Actively work to strengthen communication, trust, and a healthy working environment.
• Respectfully listen to concerns and ideas and help turn feedback into practical improvement opportunities.
• Support and participate in company functions and initiatives that build connection and investment in the team.
• Respect confidentiality.
• Embody our values of Integrity, Trust, Creativity and Courage, Teamwork, and Excellence.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and practical Lean manufacturing experience. Master's degree is a plus.

5–8 years of progressive continuous improvement experience in manufacturing, including leading cross-functional Lean initiatives.

Experience improving processes within regulated or controlled manufacturing environments, such as cleanroom, medical device, pharmaceutical, or food manufacturing, is preferred.

Proven success leading Kaizen events.

Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or other relevant methodologies. Green Belt preferred, Black Belt is a plus.

Able to travel occasionally by air and car if needed

Able to perform the physical demands of the job including:

Ability to safely navigate a manufacturing environment

Ability to use office, phone and computer equipment

Some periods of walking and standing; some periods of sitting

Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs

Attendance Requirements: Attendance on a regular, consistent basis is mandatory.

Accommodations: If you need reasonable accommodation under the ADA or other state or federal law to perform the essential job functions as listed above, you may request accommodation in the interview process.