Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager

About the Role The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager is the hands-on change leader on the factory floor who builds a practical CI culture and drives improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Engagement. You’ll coach an hourly CI team and partner with site leadership to translate strategy into action on the Gemba. What You'll Do

• Lead kaizens, rapid improvements, and problem-solving on real processes; set the 'how we improve' standard through visible role-model behavior.
• Coach and develop people daily: train and coach hourly and salaried teams in CI basics and disciplined execution.
• Own the site CI execution: use OWPS tools (daily management, standard work, visual management, tiered accountability) and ensure sustainment.
• Drive strategy to execution: facilitate strategy/goal deployment and translate priorities into an active, cross-functional improvement funnel and roadmap.
• Deliver measurable business impact: identify and prioritize opportunities; track, validate, and communicate results via balanced-scorecard (AOP and beyond).
• Run CI governance per playbook: lead the CI steering committee, remove barriers, ensure cross-functional alignment with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Benchmark and spread best practices: identify internal/external practices and replicate successful approaches across the site and Watts. What We're Looking For
• 7+ years in manufacturing/operations with hands-on improvement delivery (not just facilitation).
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to lead and coach on the floor, influence across functions, and engage hourly and salaried workforces.
• Track record of improving productivity and SQDC; ability to translate CI work into measurable financial/operational impact.
• Strong Lean toolkit: VSM, daily management, standard work, visual management, 5S, SMED, TPM, material flow/layout, structured problem solving.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced plant.
• Proficiency in Excel/PowerPoint/Word; strong data sense and ability to communicate with all levels. Nice to Have
• Lean transformation or Six Sigma Black Belt strongly preferred.
• Operations supervision or production management preferred.
• SAP experience preferred. Compensation & Benefits
• Not disclosed in posting.