About the role
Description
This position will be onsite at our Agawam, MA facility with travel to other assigned locations.
OVERVIEW
The Director of Continuous Improvement is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and driving a culture of operational excellence within the manufacturing organization. This individual leads the implementation of Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency and quality. The Director collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for improvement, develop strategies, and execute initiatives that align with the company’s strategic goals.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and execute a company-wide continuous improvement strategy to enhance operational performance
Align continuous improvement initiatives with organizational goals and business objectives
Lead the implementation of Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to improve manufacturing processes and eliminate inefficiencies
Drive initiatives to reduce waste, increase productivity, and improve product quality
Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing continuous improvement team
Train employees at all levels in Lean principles, Six Sigma tools, and other process improvement techniques
Foster a culture of continuous learning and operational excellence
Oversee and manage multiple continuous improvement projects simultaneously, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget
Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of improvement initiatives
Partner with operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to identify opportunities for improvement and implement solutions
Act as a change agent to promote collaboration and alignment across departments
Analyze operational data to identify trends, measure progress, and drive decision-making
Provide regular updates and reports to executive leadership on the status of improvement initiatives and their impact
Stay current with industry trends and best practices in manufacturing and process improvement
Introduce innovative solutions to enhance operational excellence and maintain a competitive edge
Ensure all improvement activities comply with safety, quality, and regulatory standards
Promote a safe working environment through continuous risk assessments and process improvements
Requirements
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused on continuous improvement preferred
Proven track record of successfully implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or other operational excellence programs
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification required; Master Black Belt is a plus
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus
Deep understanding of Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and other process improvement tools
Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team-building skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with proficiency in data analysis tools
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and drive change at all levels of the organization
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field
Master’s degree is preferred
LOCATION
Remote
SCHEDULE
M-F CADREX’S CORE VALUES Safety first, rising to the challenge, collaboration, accountability, and doing the right thing TOTAL COMPENSATION INCLUDES Health/dental/vision coverage Employer-paid and supplemental life insurance Short- and long-term disability insurance Generous paid time off and holiday pay Monthly remote work stipend (for remote employees who qualify) 401(k) investment plan, with an employer match of up to 4% Education support program Safety eyeglasses/shoe reimbursement Referral bonuses Bonus plan for all full-time employees ABOUT US CADREX Manufacturing Solutions is a leading provider of complex sheet metal and machined production parts, assemblies, and weldments for a variety of end markets, including electrical transmission and distribution, warehouse automation, technology, aerospace & defense, medical, food, and industrials. With locations in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Monterrey Mexico, CADREX offers numerous in-house manufacturing capabilities, including laser cutting, sheet metal fabrication, complex assembly, CNC punching, CNC machining, forming, robotic welding, stamping, fastener insertion, and tool and die manufacturing, to effectively serve customers with lights-out manufacturing capabilities for mid- to high-volume production. For more information, visit www.cadrex.com. Cadrex provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.