Continuous Improvement Program Manager Jobs in Minnesota

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.
Sr. Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist
Travel: Approximately 40-50%
About the Role
Xylem is seeking a Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist to support and elevate performance across 10 Resin Regeneration plants in the United States. While these sites operate similar chemical batching and regeneration processes, variation in standards and execution creates opportunity for meaningful improvement.
This role is ideal for a CI professional who thrives in hands-on, fast-paced environments and enjoys partnering closely with operations and business leaders to standardize processes, improve productivity, and improve service to internal and external customers. Success in this role comes from turning complex operational and business challenges into clear, practical improvements that teams understand, adopt, and sustain.
The CI Specialist works closely with plant leadership and cross-functional partners to identify waste, improve flow, and translate improvement opportunities into measurable operational and financial results, including cost reductions tracked through metrics such as cost per cubic foot.
What You Will Do
In this role, the CI Specialist drives end-to-end improvement initiatives focused on standardizing processes across similar operations while respecting site-specific realities. Operating in a non-standard manufacturing environment with chemical batching processes, the CI Specialist applies Lean and CI methodologies in practical, easy-to-understand ways that resonate with frontline teams and leaders.
A current focus for the role is value stream mapping, with particular emphasis on reducing lead time, removing waste, and strengthening process flow to better serve downstream service organizations. The CI Lead works closely with both high-impact (HI) and low-impact (LI) segments to deeply understand pain points and translate those insights into targeted improvement initiatives.
The CI Specialist plans, leads, and manages improvement projects from concept through implementation and sustainment. This includes defining scope and success metrics, developing timelines, managing risks, and ensuring improvements are embedded into standard work so issues do not recur. Root cause problem-solving and the development of effective countermeasures are central to the role.
Data is used as a foundation for decision-making. The CI Specialist analyzes operational and financial performance, identifies trends and sources of variation, and helps teams understand not only what needs to change, but why the change matters to customers, the business, and the broader organization.
Training and coaching are delivered in a highly practical manner, translating CI tools and concepts into non-traditional, operator-friendly language so teams can apply them confidently in daily work. Strong business partnership is essential; the CI Specialist regularly collaborates with plant leaders, segment partners, and functional teams to ensure improvement efforts align to business priorities and service needs.
How You Will Make an Impact
This role directly contributes to business performance by improving productivity, improving process consistency, shortening lead times, and strengthening the ability of Resin Regeneration operations to support Xylem's service organizations. Impact is measured not only by metrics, but by sustained changes in how teams think, solve problems, and continuously improve.
Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field is required, along with at least four years of relevant experience or equivalent experience demonstrating a strong foundation in process improvement.
The role requires proven experience in Continuous Improvement or project-based operational improvement, strong problem-solving skills, and hands-on application of Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies. Comfort working in environments where processes are similar but inconsistently applied is important.
Strong communication and influencing skills are essential, including the ability to translate data, CI concepts, and business priorities into clear, relatable messages for diverse audiences. The ability to manage multiple initiatives, adapt to changing priorities, and drive sustainable solutions in the face of resistance is critical.
Preferred Qualifications
Lean Certification, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, PMP, CQE, CMQ/OE, CPIM, or a willingness to obtain relevant certification is preferred.
Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.
At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment.
Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation