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Director Lean Manufacturing Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

S. manufacturing facilities. This role partners with site leadership to implement and sustain Lean ... direct authority • Strong facilitation and coaching skills • High level of ownership and ...

This environment fosters collaboration and empowers team members from engineering and manufacturing ... This role will report directly to the Business Unit Manager with potential for direct reports.

Lean Industrial Engineer

Sterling Heights, MI · On-site

$65K - $88K/yr

Position Summary This position utilizes lean manufacturing and industrial engineering thinking with ... Direct and Indirect Labor studies o Plant Layouts including the measurement of current machines o ...

Manufacturing Engineer - W2 Only

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$69K - $89K/yr

Apply Lean manufacturing principles to improve equipment layouts, workflow, assembly methods, and ... Strong client results and company growth is a direct result of our focus on personal growth for ...

Manufacturing Engineer I

Grand Haven, MI

$66K - $85K/yr

Champion and Leader for Lean Manufacturing Principles. * Utilization of Value Stream Mapping (VSM ... Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as directed by the ...

Manufacturing Engineer I

Grand Haven, MI · On-site

$66K - $85K/yr

Champion and Leader for Lean Manufacturing Principles. * Utilization of Value Stream Mapping (VSM ... Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as directed by the ...

If you are passionate about operational transformation, business systems, Lean manufacturing, and ... Partner closely with Business Operational Excellence Directors, Integrated Operations Leaders, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Director Lean Manufacturing information

See Michigan salary details

$60.6K

$123.7K

$182.6K

How much do director lean manufacturing jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for director lean manufacturing in Michigan is $123,655.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,200.00 and $145,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director lean manufacturing do?

A Director of Lean Manufacturing leads initiatives to optimize production processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency within a manufacturing organization. They are responsible for implementing Lean principles and methodologies, such as Kaizen, 5S, and value stream mapping, across the company. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, mentoring staff, and driving a culture of continuous improvement to achieve operational excellence. Additionally, the Director monitors key performance indicators and ensures that Lean strategies align with business objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director lean manufacturing?

To thrive as a Director of Lean Manufacturing, you need deep expertise in lean methodologies, process improvement, and a background in engineering or manufacturing, often supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency with tools like Six Sigma, value stream mapping, and ERP/MES systems, along with Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or similar certifications, is highly valued. Strong leadership, change management abilities, and effective communication help drive organizational buy-in and continuous improvement. These skills are critical for achieving operational excellence, reducing waste, and fostering a culture of efficiency throughout the organization.

How does a director lean manufacturing typically collaborate with other departments to drive continuous improvement initiatives?

A Director of Lean Manufacturing works closely with cross-functional teams such as engineering, production, quality, and supply chain to identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements. They often facilitate workshops, lead kaizen events, and provide training to ensure all departments are aligned with lean principles. Effective communication and strong leadership skills are essential, as the Director must build consensus and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the organization. Collaboration with other department heads is also key to integrating lean strategies into broader business objectives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lean Manufacturing jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Lean Manufacturing jobs in Michigan are:

What job categories do people searching Director Lean Manufacturing jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Lean Manufacturing jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Director Lean Manufacturing jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Director Lean Manufacturing job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Lean Manufacturing job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,655 per year, or $59.4 per hour.

Lean Specialist

Kentwood, MI • On-site


Autocam Medical
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing • 201 - 500 employees

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Good employer

Uninterrupted breaks


Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Description
The Lean Specialist is responsible for driving and standardizing continuous improvement initiatives across all U.S. manufacturing facilities. This role partners with site leadership to implement and sustain Lean methodologies, with a strong emphasis on standard work, SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Dies), and waste elimination.
Reporting directly to the COO, this position serves as a key change agent, deploying enterprise-wide operational excellence strategies that improve quality, delivery, and cost performance while ensuring consistency across sites.
Responsibilities
Enterprise Continuous Improvement Leadership
• Lead the deployment of Lean Manufacturing principles across all U.S. facilities
• Drive a consistent operational excellence framework across plants
• Identify and prioritize high-impact improvement opportunities aligned with business objectives
• Facilitate Kaizen events and structured problem-solving initiatives (A3, DMAIC)
Standard Work Development & Sustainment
• Establish, document, and deploy standard work across critical operations
• Partner with site teams to ensure adherence and sustainability of standard processes
• Audit and continuously improve standard work to drive consistency and repeatability
• Train plant leadership and operators on standard work principles and execution
SMED & Changeover Optimization
• Lead SMED initiatives to significantly reduce setup and changeover times
• Analyze current changeover processes and separate internal vs. external activities
• Implement best practices to improve equipment uptime, flexibility, and responsiveness
• Drive replication of successful SMED improvements across all facilities
Operational Performance & Metrics
• Develop and standardize key performance metrics (OEE, changeover time, scrap, throughput, lead time)
• Use data analytics to identify trends, gaps, and improvement opportunities
• Support sites in achieving measurable performance improvements
Process Optimization & Best Practice Deployment
• Drive cross-site standardization of best practices and processes
• Support facility layout, flow improvements, and capacity optimization efforts
Cross-Site Collaboration & Leadership
• Act as a liaison between corporate leadership and plant operations
• Influence and support plant leaders to adopt and sustain improvements
• Share best practices and lessons learned across all facilities
Training & Culture Development
• Train and coach employees at all levels on Lean tools and methodologies
• Build internal capability in standard work, SMED, and problem-solving
• Drive a culture of accountability, discipline, and continuous improvement
Requirements
• Ability to influence across multiple sites without direct authority
• Strong facilitation and coaching skills
• High level of ownership and accountability
• Strategic thinking with hands-on execution capability
• Excellent communication across all organizational levels
• Change management and cultural leadership
• Corporate role supporting all U.S. manufacturing facilities
• Travel required: approximately 40-60% to plant locations
• Hands-on presence in plants to lead and sustain improvements
Education and Work Experience Required
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or related field)
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or continuous improvement
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean initiatives across multiple sites preferred, specifically in Standard Work, SMED, VSMs, etc
• Experience in medical device or regulated manufacturing strongly preferred
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Formal Lean or Toyota Production System training is a plus


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