Continuous Improvement Manager

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

We're seeking a driven and strategic Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager to lead transformational initiatives across our manufacturing facility. You will champion a culture of operational excellence and drive efficiency, productivity, and quality through Lean and data-driven improvement methods. If you thrive on solving complex problems, empowering teams, and delivering measurable impact—this role is for you.

Scope of Responsibility

1. Annual budgetary responsibility
2. May supervise a team of up to 3 indirect reports and/or direct reports
3. Complexity: High.  Requires the successful execution of business plans by leading through influence instead of direct authority.  Requires high level of emotional intelligence in addition to quickly assimilating information from multiple sources along complex operational and administrative processes.  Must be able to clearly articulate complex ideas to teach and guide others.
4. Travel: 5-10%.   International travel may be required.
5. Other: Cross-functional responsibility for ensuring improvement is undertaken with an A. O. Smith Operating System approach, considering the process integration, people systems, and technical issues that may be impacted.

Responsibilities

 
• Lead and execute CI strategies that align with plant and company-level KPIs (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, HRD).

 
• Facilitate kaizen events, root cause analysis (RCA), and cross-functional workshops to solve operational challenges.

• Coach and mentor employees at all levels to embed Lean thinking and continuous improvement tools (5S, SMED, A3).

• Partner with production, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to identify, prioritize, and implement CI projects and multiyear savings plans / CIP (Cost Improvement Plans).

• Use data analysis and visual management tools (dashboards, value stream maps, process maps) to uncover opportunities and track improvements.

• Develop training materials and lead CI capability-building programs across the facility.
• Promote a hands-on, floor-focused presence to drive daily engagement and sustainment of improvements.

• Support digital transformation initiatives (e.g., real-time data collection, MES, Industry 4.0) where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Related Field
• MBA is preferred
• Minimum 8 years' experience implementing lean tools and thinking in manufacturing or transactional environments
• Minimum 4 years' Supervisory experience
• Increasing levels of responsibility over the course of career
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team, document improvement results, and effectively communicate those results
• Lean/Six-sigma certifications are a plus, but not required
• Coaching certification is a plus, but not required
• Formal training in Change Management Preferred
• Strengths in organization, project management/leadership, prioritization, multi-tasking, process documentation, and managing and meeting deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
•  8+ years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a dedicated CI, Lean, or Operational Excellence role.  
•  Proven track record of driving results through structured improvement projects.
•  Strong facilitation, communication, presentation and change management skills.
•  Analytical mindset with proficiency in tools like Excel or other process analysis software.
•  Strong experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Microsoft Outlook)
• Passion for developing people and building a continuous improvement culture.

Additional Qualifications:

• Masters' Degree a plus, but not required
• Lean/Six-sigma certifications are a plus, but not required
• Coaching certification is a plus, but not required

We Offer

• A culture that values innovation, teamwork, and transparency
• Opportunity to directly impact the future of manufacturing at a leading facility
• Growth and development in a company that invests in CI as a core strategy
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and bonus structure

#LI-Onsite

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ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.

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