Continuous Improvement Manager

The Continuous Improvement Manager is a senior, hands-on operations leader who drives improvement by value stream to raise performance in safety, quality, delivery, inventory, and productivity (SQDIP). The role deploys GTI's business system, model, and playbooks on the floor: tiered daily management, 5S, layered process audits, value stream roadmaps, kaizen events, standard work, structured problem solving, and the training that makes them stick.

Business System Deployment & Daily Accountability 

Deploy GTI's business system, model, and playbooks across the plant's value streams in line with the VP of Continuous Improvement's annual priorities  Own the Tier Accountability Process: SQDIP boards, tier 1 through tier 3 meeting standards, escalation paths, and visual management; coach value stream leaders to run them with daily discipline  Lead the plant's 5S program and Layered Process Audit system as the backbone of daily accountability; set the standards, audit against them, and hold leaders at every level to them  Establish and audit standard work and leader standard work for supervisors and leads  Run the plant's CI maturity self-assessment against GTI's model; build and track the annual action plan to close gaps 

Value Stream Improvement & Breakthrough Projects 

Map each value stream's current and future state at least annually; own the value stream roadmap and the kaizen funnel that falls out of it  Lead site-level breakthrough improvement projects that step-change throughput, cost, or quality, from charter through sustained results  Plan and lead kaizen events on material flow, layout, labor efficiency, changeover, and quality: charters, objectives, facilitation, action tracking, report-outs, and 30-60-90 day sustainment checks  Improve lean material flow for steel, consumables, and kitted subassemblies: kanban, supermarkets, point-of-use storage, and WIP buffer targets  Lead capacity, line-balancing work for high-mix, engineered-to-order modules; support new line and new program launches with lean design  Drive TPM and OEE improvement on critical cells (cutting, welding, paint, assembly) and attack unplanned downtime with Maintenance 

Problem Solving & Quality 

Set and coach GTI's problem-solving standard (A3, 8D, PSP); lead root cause analysis on significant safety, quality, and delivery misses  Partner with Quality and Engineering on poka-yoke, first-pass yield, and rework reduction  Integrate CI with EHS so safety is the first lens on every event and standard 

Savings, Metrics & Reporting 

Identify, quantify, and track validated savings in labor, material, rework, inventory, and throughput; secure Finance sign-off and report into GTI's cost-out governance  Build and maintain plant CI dashboards in Power BI; keep ERP routings, BOMs, and work instructions aligned with improved processes  Report SQDIP trends, project status, and risks to the Plant Manager and the VP of Continuous Improvement on a set cadence 

Culture, Coaching & Change Leadership 

Reshape the plant's culture around daily accountability: be visible on the floor every day, model the standards, and coach supervisors and teams in the moment  Train and certify supervisors, leads, and CI Specialists in GTI's playbooks: 5S, standard work, daily management, layered process audits, problem solving, VSM, and kaizen facilitation  Coach plant leaders on leading through the system; surface and remove organizational barriers that stop improvements from holding or scaling  Drive adoption of new systems and behaviors through coaching, documentation, and clear communication, in English and Spanish where it helps the floor 

Team Leadership & Cross-Site Collaboration 

Build, lead, and develop the plant's Continuous Improvement Specialists; set priorities and standards, and own a development plan that moves each direct report to the next level  Partner with the Plant Manager across operations, maintenance, quality, materials, and EHS to build the cross-functional judgment a future site leader needs 

 

 

 

Travel to other GTI plants as needed (about 10–20%)

GTI offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support employees and their families while providing long-term career growth opportunities within a fast-growing manufacturing organization. Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) with company match (where applicable)

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays

• Sick time in accordance with state and local requirements

• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage

• Career advancement opportunities within a rapidly growing organization

• Exposure to advanced manufacturing, modular infrastructure, and large-scale industrial projects

• Collaborative, fast-paced environment with strong operational and engineering leadership

• Employee-focused culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

 

 Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on position, location, and employment classification.