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Continuous Improvement Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Protolabs

Continuous Improvement Specialist

Maple Plain, MN · Hybrid

$72K - $92K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Become our new Continuous Improvement Specialist! This is a hybrid position (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the office) based out of our Maple Plain location. We are seeking a proactive and ...

pds

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Brooklyn Park, MN · On-site

$45/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Continuous Improvement Engineer (Manufacturing) - Drive Process Improvements & Make an Impact! Are you passionate about improving manufacturing processes, eliminating waste, and helping teams work ...

Protolabs

Continuous Improvement Specialist

Maple Plain, MN · On-site

$72K - $92K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Become our new Continuous Improvement Specialist! This is a hybrid position (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the office) based out of our Maple Plain location. We are seeking a proactive and ...

Viracon LLC

Director, Continuous Improvement

Owatonna, MN · On-site

$150 - $190/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position Summary The Director of Continuous Improvement (CI) is responsible for leading the deployment and sustainment of the Apogee Management System (AMS) across manufacturing operations. This role ...

New

Apogee

Director, Continuous Improvement

Owatonna, MN

$150K - $190K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position Summary The Director of Continuous Improvement (CI) is responsible for leading the deployment and sustainment of the Apogee Management System (AMS) across manufacturing operations. This role ...

Abbott

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Roseville, MN · On-site

$82K - $109K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

The Continuous Improvement Engineer partners with inbound, outbound, and value-added services teams to drive operational excellence through process analysis, Lean implementation, and data-driven ...

Abbott

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Roseville, MN · On-site

$82K - $109K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

The Continuous Improvement Engineer partners with inbound, outbound, and value-added services teams to drive operational excellence through process analysis, Lean implementation, and data-driven ...

Abbott

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Roseville, MN · On-site

$82K - $109K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

The Continuous Improvement Engineer partners with inbound, outbound, and value-added services teams to drive operational excellence through process analysis, Lean implementation, and data-driven ...

nVent

Continuous Improvement Lead

Anoka, MN · On-site

$76K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Lead to facilitate the advancement of Lean practices at our Anoka, MN manufacturing facility. You will partner with operations, logistics, and/or materials ...

nVent

Continuous Improvement Lead

Anoka, MN · On-site

$76 - $141/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Lead to facilitate the advancement of Lean practices at our Anoka, MN manufacturing facility. You will partner with operations, logistics, and/or materials ...

nVent

Continuous Improvement Lead

Anoka, MN · On-site

$76K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Lead to facilitate the advancement of Lean practices at our Anoka, MN manufacturing facility. You will partner with operations, logistics, and/or materials ...

nVent

Continuous Improvement Leader

Blaine, MN · On-site

$76K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree required. * 2+ years of experience leading Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing or production environment, with direct facilitation responsibility ...

nVent

Continuous Improvement Leader

Blaine, MN

$76K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree required. * 2+ years of experience leading Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing or production environment, with direct facilitation responsibility ...

Mann Lake Ltd

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Hackensack, MN · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

POSITION DESCRIPTION The Continuous Improvement Engineer will implement industrial engineering processes that result in high efficiency and high-quality products to satisfy our customers. Must have ...

Mann Lake Ltd

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Hackensack, MN · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

POSITION DESCRIPTION The Continuous Improvement Engineer will implement industrial engineering processes that result in high efficiency and high-quality products to satisfy our customers. Must have ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsContinuous Improvement JobsContinuous Improvement Jobs in Minnesota

Continuous Improvement information

See Minnesota salary details

$30.4K

$101.9K

$141K

How much do continuous improvement jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for continuous improvement in Minnesota is $101,873.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,200.00 and $121,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is continuous improvement?

Continuous improvement is an ongoing effort to enhance products, services, or processes by making small, incremental changes over time. The goal is to increase efficiency, improve quality, and reduce waste within an organization. This approach often involves methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen, and encourages employee involvement at all levels. Continuous improvement is crucial for organizations to stay competitive and responsive to changing market demands.

What is a continuous improvement job?

Continuous improvement jobs focus on finding ways to improve business operations and processes. As a continuous improvement specialist, you work to review current business and project practices, identify targets of improvement, and make recommendations or develop a plan to implement those improvements. You analyze company operations and help execute improvements in a particular area. The duties of a continuous improvement manager focus on working to manage a specific process or processes and implementing procedural changes within a company. As a continuous improvement coordinator, your responsibilities involve working with different departments and teams to support and enact improvement plans.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a continuous improvement professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Continuous Improvement professional, you need strong analytical skills, process optimization expertise, and a background in industrial engineering or business management, often supported by Lean Six Sigma certification. Familiarity with process mapping tools, data analysis software (like Minitab), and project management systems is typically required. Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities help drive change and engage cross-functional teams. These skills ensure sustainable process improvements, increased efficiency, and long-term organizational success.

How does a continuous improvement professional typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive process enhancements?

Continuous Improvement professionals work closely with various departments, such as operations, quality, and engineering, to identify process bottlenecks and recommend solutions. They facilitate workshops like Kaizen events, gather feedback from team members, and use data-driven approaches to analyze workflows. Effective communication and collaboration are key, as these professionals often need to align diverse perspectives and ensure that improvements are sustainable and widely adopted. Regular meetings and follow-ups are common to monitor progress and address any challenges that arise during implementation.

What is the difference between Continuous Improvement vs Process Analyst?

AspectContinuous ImprovementProcess Analyst
CertificationsLean, Six Sigma, KaizenLean, Six Sigma, Business Analysis
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, Service, CorporateManufacturing, Business, IT
Industry UsageBroad, across sectorsPrimarily manufacturing and business processes
Primary FocusOngoing process enhancementsAnalyzing and improving specific processes

While both roles focus on improving efficiency, Continuous Improvement professionals lead ongoing initiatives to enhance processes across an organization, often using methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma. Process Analysts typically analyze specific workflows to identify improvements. Continuous Improvement is broader and strategic, whereas Process Analysts focus on detailed process analysis.

Is continuous improvement a good career?

Continuous improvement is a valuable career path focused on enhancing processes, efficiency, and quality within organizations. It often involves skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and project management, with certifications like Lean or Six Sigma enhancing job prospects. The role typically offers opportunities for advancement and contributes to organizational success.

What are examples of continuous improvement?

Continuous improvement in a job context involves regularly analyzing processes, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing small, incremental changes to enhance productivity, quality, or safety. Common examples include adopting new tools or techniques, streamlining workflows, and encouraging employee feedback to foster ongoing development. This approach often relies on methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma to sustain progress over time.
More about Continuous Improvement jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Continuous Improvement jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Continuous Improvement jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Continuous Improvement jobs in Minnesota?

For Continuous Improvement jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Continuous Improvement jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Continuous Improvement jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Continuous Improvement jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Continuous Improvement job openings:

Continuous Improvement jobs near you
Infographic showing various Continuous Improvement job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $101,873 per year, or $49 per hour.

Continuous Improvement Specialist

Protolabs

Maple Plain, MN • Hybrid

$72K - $92K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Protolabs rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 24 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 84 rated plastic manufacturers

Job description

Be yourself at Protolabs 
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace. So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply! You can help make our company even better. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself. We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams. 
 
Why Protolabs? 
We are the leaders in digital manufacturing.  We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit.  Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds.  We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do.  It's our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home. 

Become our new Continuous Improvement Specialist!
This is a hybrid position (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the office) based out of our Maple Plain location.
 

We are seeking a proactive and analytical Continuous Improvement Specialist to join our Customer Success organization. This role is critical to identifying and eliminating process friction, streamlining workflows, and driving efficiency for our 100-person team. The ideal candidate will help organize and prioritize improvement efforts, define system requirements, and free up team capacity to focus on strategic goals. 

As part of Protolabs' ProtoExcellence Business System, the role applies Lean and continuous improvement practices - a customer-value lens, structured problem solving, standard work, and daily management - to deliver measurable gains in service quality, speed, and efficiency. 

What You'll Do:

  • Shadow team members to understand current workflows, identify pain points, and uncover opportunities for quick improvements ("Kaizens"). 

  • Analyze the existing backlog of process issues to connect related items and identify root causes. 

  • Map current-state processes and collaborate with stakeholders to design and define ideal future-state workflows. 

  • Gather and analyze data from service systems (CRM/Salesforce, AX/ERP, eCommerce, and case/contact data) to quantify performance, size problems, and prioritize improvement opportunities. 

  • Work with team leadership to prioritize improvement initiatives based on impact and effort. 

  • Develop clear business requirements for CRM (Salesforce), AX (ERP), eCommerce, and other system enhancements, creating a prioritized backlog for the technology team. 

  • Act as a liaison between the business team and technical resources to translate needs into actionable development work. 

  • Partner directly with team members on specific projects to drive them to completion, including a sustainment plan. 

  • Perform hands-on work to help clear obstacles and build momentum for the team. 

  • Participate in - and help develop and refine - team huddles and leadership meetings to gather information, provide updates, support problem solving and escalation, and act as an extension of the leadership team. 

  • Coach and support the team in continuous improvement practices such as structured problem solving, standard work, and visual/daily management. 

  • Help foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying improvement opportunities and demonstrating the value of process optimization. 

  • Perform other related duties as assigned. 

What It Takes:

Education and Experience: 

  • Bachelor's degree in business, operations, industrial engineering, information systems, or a related field, or a commensurate combination of education and experience. 

  • 3-5 years of continuous improvement experience, including meaningful experience in transactional, service, or office environments (not solely manufacturing). 

  • Experience in a customer success, customer service, contact-center, sales support, or operations role with a deep understanding of business processes. 

  • Proven ability in process mapping, analysis, and improvement methodologies, including customer journey mapping and/or service blueprinting. 

  • Familiarity with CRM and ERP systems (Salesforce and AX/ERP; eCommerce a plus) and the ability to define requirements for system enhancements. 

  • Data gathering and analysis capability across service systems - able to pull and interpret metrics such as SLA/response time, first-contact resolution, backlog/aging, handle time, and CSAT/NPS. 

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

  • An analytical mindset with the ability to "connect the dots" between disparate problems to see the larger picture. 

  • A proactive and assertive approach, with the ability to escalate issues and drive progress independently. 

  • Ability to apply Lean and continuous improvement methodologies (structured problem solving, standard work, visual/daily management) to transactional processes. 

  • Strong facilitation, coaching, and communication skills, with the ability to influence without authority across cross-functional teams. 

  • Strong organization and time management skills, with attention to detail and a devotion to eliminating variation and inconsistency in processes and systems. 

  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Lean or Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt); Six Sigma is especially valuable for reducing variation in transactional processes. 

  • Change management certification or experience (e.g., Prosci / ADKAR). 

  • Business analysis credentials or Salesforce Administrator certification. 

  • Experience facilitating Kaizen events in office/service settings and applying daily management and standard work to knowledge work. 

  • Familiarity with contact-center/ticketing platforms and BI/analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or SQL). 

  • Voice-of-Customer (VOC) program experience. 

Whats In It For You:
  • We offer a competitive salary and total rewards package
  • We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
    • Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
    • Flexible Spending Accounts
    • Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
    • Dental and Vision
    • Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
    • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
    • Paid caregiver leave
  • You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO + Wellness + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours
  • 401k with company match and immediate vest
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
  • Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
  • And More!
$104,000 - $142,000 a year
Protolabs offers a competitive total rewards package, and compensation mix vary based on position, such as base wage, as well as other earnings including incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, job function, work experience, specialized skills, training, education, and certifications
Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities.  Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status.  Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.
 
Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer
 
Physical Demands:
While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment:
Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. However, there may be job duties that require the employee to spend time in the manufacturing areas exposed to machinery and noise; eye protection occasionally required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
  

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