About this role
Manufacturing Process Improvement Manager
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: Starting at $85,000/year; higher salary available based on experience
Position Overview
We are seeking a Manufacturing Process Improvement Manager to lead continuous improvement efforts across manufacturing and operations. This position focuses on improving productivity, labor efficiency, cycle times, quality, safety, and on-time delivery through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and structured problem-solving.
This is a hands-on leadership role that works directly with production teams and leadership to identify problems, improve processes, and establish sustainable solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and manage continuous improvement initiatives aligned with operational goals.
- Identify production bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and cost-reduction opportunities.
- Lead Kaizen events, process improvement workshops, and root cause investigations.
- Apply Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, and structured problem-solving techniques.
- Analyze operational data and use findings to implement sustainable process improvements.
- Partner with manufacturing and operations leaders to improve workflows, labor efficiency, and production performance.
- Train, coach, and mentor employees on continuous improvement tools and best practices.
- Work hands-on with production teams to implement and sustain process changes.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure results.
- Present project progress, performance data, and recommendations to plant leadership and senior management.
- Develop communication strategies that encourage employee involvement and adoption of improvement initiatives.
- Identify opportunities for workflow redesign and strategic capital investments.
- Support multiple shifts as needed to ensure improvements are implemented effectively.
- Ensure all initiatives support safety, product quality, and customer satisfaction.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- At least 5 years of experience leading or implementing continuous improvement programs in manufacturing.
- Proven ability to lead improvement projects and achieve measurable operational results.
- Strong knowledge of Lean principles, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, Kaizen facilitation, and change management.
- Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret operational data to guide decisions and action plans.
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to influence teams across departments and organizational levels.
- Excellent communication, presentation, training, and facilitation skills.
- Strong project management, organization, and time management abilities.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Commitment to workplace safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in engineer-to-order manufacturing, metal fabrication, or industrial operations.
- Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or another continuous improvement certification.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
- Work in both office and manufacturing settings.
- Regularly walk the production floor and collaborate with manufacturing teams.
- Stand, bend, and move throughout production areas during assessments and improvement projects.
- Occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
- Work flexible hours and support multiple shifts when needed.
This is an opportunity to take ownership of manufacturing improvement initiatives, work directly with operations teams, and deliver measurable gains in efficiency, quality, safety, and overall plant performance.