Manager, Continuous Improvement
Location: Redmond, Oregon
Compensation: $111,348–$167,023 DOE + 20% Annual Incentive Plan + 30% Long-Term Incentive Plan + Relocation Assistance
Employment Type: Full-time
About the Company
HireIQ Solutions is leading the search for a Manager, Continuous Improvement at a US manufacturer of engineered-to-order HVAC and thermal management systems serving data centers, cleanrooms, and complex commercial/industrial environments. The company designs, fabricates, and tests custom equipment in-house for speed, quality, and reliability. As the business continues to scale, it is investing in operational excellence leadership that can take a macro view of the operation, strengthen process discipline, and drive measurable improvements across the site.
About the Role
This role is designed for a continuous improvement leader who can serve as a site-level guru, taking a broad view of the business and helping manufacturing leadership improve performance through better systems, stronger processes, and disciplined execution. You will lead site-level continuous improvement efforts by developing, implementing, and sustaining practices that support operational excellence, waste reduction, process stability, and throughput improvement. The right person will bring strong Lean capability, comfort working cross-functionally, and the ability to coach teams at all levels while influencing without direct authority. Automotive manufacturing experience could translate especially well to this environment, particularly for candidates grounded in structured operating systems such as Toyota Production System, Bosch Production System, or Valeo Production System.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead the deployment of continuous improvement initiatives to improve process reliability, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Partner with manufacturing and operations leadership to identify opportunities, prioritize improvement efforts, and build action plans that sustain gains over time.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, performance dialogues, and hands-on training that reinforce continuous improvement tools, standard work, and problem-solving behaviors.
• Apply and teach core Lean tools including Value Stream Mapping and Kanban systems to improve flow, production leveling, and operational execution.
• Conduct on-site observations to identify non-standard conditions, recommend corrective actions, and support structured root cause problem-solving.
• Support the development and maintenance of standardized work, operational procedures, and performance measures.
• Analyze operational data and trends to support decision-making, identify performance gaps, and improve execution.
• Partner with teams using SAP to improve bumps, routings, and material masters in support of operational excellence.
• Prepare reports and presentations that summarize improvement activity, operational trends, and cost savings.
• Benchmark relevant industry best practices and incorporate appropriate methods into site operations.
• Hire, train, coach, counsel, and evaluate performance of direct reports.
• Collaborate across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other functions to improve productivity, reduce cost, and enhance both employee and customer experience.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred engineering backgrounds include Industrial, Electrical, Electronics, or Controls Engineering.
• MBA is desired.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or operations, including supporting or leading continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong working knowledge of Kaizen and Lean manufacturing principles is required.
• Demonstrated experience with Value Stream Mapping and Kanban systems, including push, pull, and leveling concepts, is required.
• Experience with SMED is preferred and would be a highly desirable area of expertise.
• Familiarity with SAP, especially material masters, routings, and related production data, is required.
• Experience with structured operating systems such as TPS, BPS, or VPS is required.
• Spanish-speaking ability is strongly preferred to be successful in this role, as a significant portion of the factory floor communicates in Spanish.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing without direct authority.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use operational data to support problem-solving and decision-making.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage frontline teams and leadership alike.
• Strong organization and project management capability, with a bias toward execution and follow-through.
• Experience in HVAC or related manufacturing industries preferred.
• Experience with Red X problem-solving methodology is desired; Journeyman-level capability would be especially valuable.
• Six Sigma experience is desired.
• Leadership experience in a manufacturing plant of more than 500 people is strongly preferred.
• Prior responsibility for approximately 7 direct reports, such as Supervisors and Coordinators, is preferred.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
• Primarily office-based with regular visits to manufacturing areas.
• Exposure to noise, temperature variation, and proximity to industrial equipment during site visits.
• Required use of appropriate PPE in production areas.
• Frequent standing and walking in manufacturing environments.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs occasionally for job-related activities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, solve problems, and make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Occasional travel to additional facilities or vendor locations, including possible overnight stays.
• This role is classified as a Safety Sensitive Position and requires adherence to all safety policies and procedures.