Process Improvement Manager

Process Improvement Manager (Individual Contributor role with no people leadership requirements)

Location: Seattle WA area (100% in-office)

Compensation: $100,000-$150,000 plus bonus (negotiable)

Travel: Required travel to regional facilities

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree preferred

Category: Operations / Continuous Improvement

About the Opportunity

Our client, an established metals company serving the Pacific Northwest, is seeking a Process Improvement Manager to evaluate, develop, and implement operational improvements that increase efficiency, reduce waste, improve quality, and support strategic business objectives. This role will initially focus on production and processing operations, with an early emphasis on the Plate Processing department and CNC machine operations, while also identifying improvement opportunities across other departments.

The ideal candidate combines organizational development expertise with hands-on operational improvement experience, understanding both the people and process sides of organizational performance, and can lead change initiatives while improving productivity, quality, safety, and operational efficiency.

What You'll Do

• Assess current processes by documenting existing systems and procedures to evaluate effectiveness, with a primary focus on the Plate Processing department, while providing assessments that benefit other production departments
• Develop short-term and long-term strategies for process improvements, aligning plans with overall business goals to maximize quality and reduce costs
• Analyze operational data to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement
• Collaborate cross-functionally with various departments to implement process improvement initiatives, ensuring changes are beneficial across the organization
• Create business cases and ROI analyses, building outlines and case studies to determine whether proposed improvements align with corporate KPIs
• Model and test improvement plans using predictors that confirm proposed improvements are effective; oversee implementation of changes and document results
• Monitor the impact of changes and make adjustments as needed
• Train and coach employees on new processes and continuous improvement methodologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Partner directly with the VP of Operations & Finance to determine whether budgeted items align with return-on-investment initiatives

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree
• Strong background in Organizational Development, Industrial Process Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence
• Demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives that improve productivity, quality, safety, and operational efficiency
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess operational data and identify inefficiencies
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and coaching skills

Preferred

• Graduate degree
• Degree in Organizational Development, Organizational Leadership, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline
• Formal education or training in change management, organizational effectiveness, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience leading change initiatives within manufacturing, metals processing, steel service centers, or other heavy industrial environments
• Comfort and familiarity working around processing and material handling equipment such as band saws, CNC burning machines, plate processing equipment, shears, slitters, press brakes, laser cutters, overhead cranes, forklifts, and warehouse storage/rack systems
• Background in material storage management, including warehouse layout optimization, inventory control, material flow improvements, storage utilization, throughput enhancement, and overhead crane utilization

Who is Rainier Recruiting? 

Rainier Recruiting is a boutique, award winning national staffing agency and executive search firm. Using an approach that “treats every candidate like an executive search”, we offer positions in contract-to-hire, Full-Time, and executive search. Named the #1 Best Workplace in Washington State in 2022, recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm, and identified as a top recruitment firm by multiple business journals, Rainier Recruiting is fast becoming a respected company. We are no longer the “best recruiters you have never heard of”. Rainier Recruiting is also proud to share our clients have a 93% repeat business rate. Rainier Recruiting is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and for the candidates we represent. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of every organization that we partner with.