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Continuous Improvement Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary The Director, Continuous Improvement reports to the VP, Continuous Improvement and can be located at our FirstEnergy Headquarters in Akron, OH. Travel to various work locations ...

$207K - $242K/yr

The Continuous Improvement Director is a key leadership role responsible for developing, managing, and executing the organization's continuous improvement strategy. This individual will drive ...

Job Summary The Director of Continuous Improvement is responsible for leading and driving continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. This role requires a strong background in Lean ...

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Continuous Improvement Director information

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$11K

$139.7K

$183.5K

How much do continuous improvement director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for continuous improvement director in the United States is $139,679.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,500.00 and $157,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Continuous Improvement Director vs Process Improvement Manager?

AspectContinuous Improvement DirectorProcess Improvement Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a Six Sigma, Lean, or similar certification; bachelor's or master's degree in business, engineering, or related fieldOften holds Six Sigma or Lean certifications; similar educational background
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership in corporate or manufacturing settings, overseeing multiple projects and teamsOperational focus, managing specific process improvements within departments or teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing, healthcare, and corporate sectors to drive continuous improvement initiativesCommonly found in manufacturing, logistics, and service industries focusing on process efficiency

The Continuous Improvement Director focuses on strategic, organization-wide initiatives to enhance processes, while the Process Improvement Manager concentrates on executing specific process improvements within teams. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in scope and level of responsibility.

What are some typical challenges a Continuous Improvement Director faces when implementing change initiatives across an organization?

Continuous Improvement Directors often encounter resistance to change from employees who are accustomed to established processes. Building buy-in requires strong communication skills and the ability to demonstrate the value of new initiatives. Additionally, aligning improvement projects with overarching business goals can be complex, especially in large or cross-functional organizations. Successful directors prioritize stakeholder engagement and foster a culture of continuous learning to help teams adapt smoothly to changes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Continuous Improvement Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Continuous Improvement Director, you need expertise in process optimization, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, and a background in operations management, often supported by a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with process mapping tools, data analytics platforms, and certifications like Lean Six Sigma Black Belt are typically required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and communicate change are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies drive sustainable operational efficiency, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

What Does a Continuous Improvement Director Do?

Your job duties as a continuous improvement director revolve around working on process improvement, efficient business activity, and the realization of goals within a business or organization. Your responsibilities include assessing current performance results and coming up with strategies for improvement. You may focus on improving interdepartmental relations, communication between team members, or project management. Employers also expect their continuous improvement director to facilitate training and professional skills development and create a comprehensive strategy for improvement.

What does a Continuous Improvement Director do?

A Continuous Improvement Director leads initiatives to enhance business processes, efficiency, and quality across an organization. They analyze existing workflows, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or other process optimization methodologies. Their role often includes training staff, measuring the impact of changes, and fostering a culture of ongoing improvement. By driving these initiatives, they help organizations achieve better performance, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.
What cities are hiring for Continuous Improvement Director jobs? Cities with the most Continuous Improvement Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Continuous Improvement jobs? The most popular types of Continuous Improvement jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Continuous Improvement Director jobs? The top employers for Continuous Improvement Director jobs are:
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Continuous Improvement Director

Continuous Improvement Director

Southwire Company LLC

Carrollton, GA

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Southwire rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 77 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 518 rated manufacturers


Job description

A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America's largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, utility products, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment, electrical components, hand tools and jobsite power and lighting solutions. The company also offers digital solutions including contractor planning and utility grid resiliency as well as field services including cable testing, rejuvenation and replacement to support our customers as a value-add partner. We are proud to offer competitive compensation, employee benefits, tuition reimbursement and unlimited growth opportunities. Our more than seven decades of progressive growth can be attributed to our determination to developing innovative systems and solutions, exercising environmental stewardship and enhancing the well-being of the communities in which we work and live. How will you power what's possible? 

Job Summary

Location: Carrollton, GA

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Director provides enterprise or multi-site leadership for establishing, deploying, and sustaining a comprehensive continuous improvement system across manufacturing operations. This role is accountable for driving measurable performance improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity while building internal capability and embedding a culture of operational excellence across the enterprise.

This role leads the governance, standards, and execution of CI methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, problem solving) and partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance and other business leaders to ensure improvement work is aligned with business strategy and delivers sustained results. The role focuses on making continuous improvement a repeatable operating discipline.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and deploy a structured CI strategy aligned with manufacturing and business objectives.
Establish CI standards, operating rhythms, and governance models.
Lead cross-functional initiatives targeting safety, COPQ, scrap, productivity, cost, service metrics such as OTIF, order to cash, as well as transactional improvements.
Build CI capability through coaching, mentoring, and structured training within manufacturing and distribution sites along with other organizational functions.
Embed CI into daily management systems and leader standard work.
Standardize and deploy best practices across manufacturing and distributions sites.
Partner cross-functionally to align improvement priorities with strategy.
Masters CI methodology to influence organizational strategy and drive the adoption of CI principles across all functions and business areas.
Modifies complex CI strategies to fit the unique needs of the organization, continuously refining processes and methodologies to maximize business impact.

Required Education & Experience

Bachelor's Degree

Specialized Degree: Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or related field

12-14 Years Experience

Field(s) of Expertise:  Manufacturing or operations experience

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Preferred Education & Experience

15+ Years of Experience

Field(s) of Expertise: Manufacturing or operations experience. Demonstrated success leading large-scale improvement initiatives. 

Certificates/Licenses: 

Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt 

Spans of Control

Does this role manage Southwire team members: No

Travel

Domestic - Up to 25% of time

Physical Requirements

Moving - 25% of time

Standing - 25% of time

Sitting - 50% of time 

Working Conditions

Office

Plant/Warehouse Floor

Various Shifts 

Equipment

Computer/Keyboard

Safety Glasses

Safety Shoes

Safety Vest 

Competencies
Action Oriented
Balances Stakeholders
Collaborates
Customer Focus
Nimble Learning
Plans and Aligns
Skills
Continuous Improvement Process
Critical Thinking
Financial Acumen
Influencing Skills
Kaizen Methodology
Lean Six Sigma
Product Quality (QA/QC)
Quality Control
Strategic Planning
Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)

Southwire is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


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