Overview
Continuous Improvement Manager Jobs in Morrilton, AR at FlaktGroup SEMCO
Title: Continuous Improvement Manager
Company: FlaktGroup SEMCO
Location: Morrilton, AR
Continuous Improvement Manager
Position Scope
The Continuous Improvement Manager will drive operational excellence across U.S. operations by identifying inefficiencies, implementing sustainable process improvements, and building a culture of continuous improvement.
This hands-on, execution-focused role will use Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies to increase productivity, improve quality, reduce waste, and lower operating costs. The Continuous Improvement Manager will own site productivity and KPI tracking, lead improvement projects through measurable completion, and coordinate financial-gains reporting for Group leadership and key customers.
The successful candidate will be able to translate strategy and commitments into closed, verified, and financially measurable results.
Key Responsibilities
Continuous Improvement Strategy
• Align site continuous improvement initiatives with company goals and operational priorities.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor the site roadmap for the Fläkt Execution System (FES).
• Align the site Continuous Improvement Strategy with the Industrialization Plan.
• Ensure consistent execution of manufacturing standards, KPIs, and best practices.
• Lead local Hoshin Kanri policy deployment against established performance targets.
• Apply established Group NPI and technology-gate processes rather than developing parallel processes.
• Identify operational risks and opportunities through data analysis, benchmarking, and structured problem-solving.
Productivity and KPI Management
• Own and maintain the site productivity tracker, including monthly financial and KPI reporting.
• Clearly define problems, actions, owners, due dates, milestones, and prior-year performance comparisons.
• Track improvement initiatives through verified completion and measurable business impact.
• Coordinate monthly savings and financial-gains reporting for Group leadership and key customers.
• Prepare return-on-assets reporting by plant and process maps in required customer formats.
• Ensure reported savings are documented, validated, sustainable, and financially supported.
Process Improvement
• Lead initiatives that improve productivity, quality, delivery, cost, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze current workflows to identify waste, bottlenecks, capacity constraints, and process variation.
• Implement FES pillars, standards, and tools throughout manufacturing operations.
• Lead Lean and Six Sigma projects using Kaizen, value-stream mapping, SMED, TPM, standard work, root-cause analysis, and related methodologies.
• Facilitate standing project-owner review meetings and hold cross-functional owners accountable for deadlines and commitments.
• Escalate stalled actions and unresolved barriers promptly.
• Support plant layout, capacity planning, automation, and industrialization projects through data-driven analysis and benchmarking.
Training and Coaching
• Conduct workshops and provide coaching on Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools.
• Mentor employees at all levels on structured problem-solving and project execution.
• Convert Green Belt and Black Belt training into live, mentored improvement projects that deliver verifiable results.
• Support the implementation of operational changes and ensure improvements are sustained.
• Build a Lean culture focused on ownership, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Engage plant leadership in reinforcing continuous improvement behaviors and expectations.
Cross-Functional Leadership
• Lead cross-functional teams across Operations, Quality, Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, and Plant Management.
• Facilitate shared decision-making and alignment across local and global stakeholders.
• Promote a high-performance culture focused on accountability, innovation, and measurable results.
• Communicate project status, risks, financial impact, and corrective actions clearly to leadership.
• Maintain execution speed while navigating a fast-paced and complex manufacturing environment.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience in continuous improvement, manufacturing operations, operational excellence, or process improvement.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional improvement initiatives from problem identification through verified completion.
• Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience using tools such as Kaizen, value-stream mapping, SMED, TPM, standard work, root-cause analysis, and change management.
• Proven ability to establish ownership, hold project leaders accountable, and drive actions to completion.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project-management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work directly within daily plant operations while also developing strategic improvement frameworks.
• Strong communication, presentation, stakeholder-management, and leadership skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, or similar platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience using Power BI or similar reporting and data-visualization tools.
• Experience with Hoshin Kanri or policy deployment.
• Experience managing productivity trackers, savings validation, and financial-gains reporting.
• HVAC, air-handling, industrial equipment, or other complex manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting plant layout, capacity, automation, or new-product-introduction projects.
Leadership Profile
The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a builder mindset who can proactively identify opportunities, establish structure, and lead initiatives without waiting for direction. This individual must be persistent, highly accountable, comfortable challenging the status quo, and capable of turning complex problems into clear actions and measurable results.
