1

Head Of Continuous Improvement Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the role As the Global Director of Continuous Improvement, you'll be the senior strategic leader driving operational excellence, transformation, and sustainable performance improvement across ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Head Of Continuous Improvement information

See salary details

$11K

$139.7K

$183.5K

How much do head of continuous improvement jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for head of continuous improvement 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 are some common challenges faced by a head of continuous improvement when implementing new processes across diverse teams?

A Head of Continuous Improvement often encounters challenges such as resistance to change, varying levels of process maturity among teams, and aligning improvement initiatives with broader organizational goals. Successfully driving change requires strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to tailor strategies to different departments. Building trust and demonstrating early wins are key to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and overcoming skepticism.

What is the difference between Head Of Continuous Improvement vs Continuous Improvement Manager?

AspectHead Of Continuous ImprovementContinuous Improvement Manager
ResponsibilitiesStrategic leadership, setting long-term improvement goals, overseeing multiple projectsImplementing process improvements, managing specific projects, team coordination
Required CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees and extensive experience in process improvementOften requires relevant certifications and experience in continuous improvement
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, cross-departmental, strategic focusOperational, team-focused, project execution

The Head Of Continuous Improvement holds a strategic, leadership role overseeing company-wide improvement initiatives, while the Continuous Improvement Manager focuses on executing specific projects and managing teams. Both roles require relevant certifications and experience, but differ mainly in scope and level of responsibility.

What does a head of continuous improvement do?

A Head of Continuous Improvement leads organizational efforts to enhance processes, increase efficiency, and drive operational excellence. They analyze workflows, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen to optimize performance. This role involves collaborating with different departments, training teams on best practices, and measuring the impact of improvement initiatives. Their ultimate goal is to foster a culture of ongoing improvement and innovation across the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a head of continuous improvement?

To thrive as a Head of Continuous Improvement, you need expertise in process optimization, project management, and data analysis, often supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma methodologies, and certification (such as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt) alongside experience with process mapping and improvement software is typical. Strong leadership, change management, and communication skills help drive engagement and foster a culture of ongoing improvement. These skills are crucial for effectively leading transformative initiatives, sustaining organizational efficiency, and delivering measurable results.
More about Head Of Continuous Improvement jobs
What cities are hiring for Head Of Continuous Improvement jobs? Cities with the most Head Of Continuous Improvement job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Of Continuous Improvement jobs? The most popular types of Of Continuous Improvement jobs are:
What states have the most Head Of Continuous Improvement jobs? States with the most job openings for Head Of Continuous Improvement jobs include:
Infographic showing various Head Of Continuous Improvement job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,679 per year, or $67.2 per hour.

Head of Quality & Continuous Improvement

INFICON AG

Syracuse, NY โ€ข On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

INFICON is seeking a transformational Head of Quality & Continuous Improvement to serve as a strategic change agent for our ISS Business Unit. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, ISS Division, you will unite Quality Excellence and Lean Continuous Improvement under a single, integrated vision. This is a build role: you will create the systems, standards, culture, and operating discipline that elevate product and process quality, eliminate waste, strengthen industrial engineering capabilities, and establish a model that can scale across INFICON globally.

Leading a team of approximately 15โ€“20 professionals across Quality Systems, Process Quality, Sustainability & Compliance, and Lean Continuous Improvement and Industrial Engineering, you will create alignment across historically separate functions while driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, and customer experience.

Success in this role will require building a culture of continuous improvement, strengthening root-cause-based quality problem solving, advancing Lean Daily Management and industrial engineering practices, accelerating AI-enabled quality and operational capabilities, and developing leaders and operating standards that drive sustainable performance improvement.

What You'll Build
  • A unified Quality, Lean Continuous Improvement, and Industrial Engineering organization operating under a single, integrated vision and serving as a model for future deployment across INFICON globally.
  • A culture of continuous improvement that develops managers into coaches, technicians into problem solvers, and engineers into teachers.
  • An AI-enabled Quality & Continuous Improvement capability that accelerates problem detection, root cause analysis, and productivity improvement across operations.
  • A next-generation visual factory where wins, gaps, and opportunities are visible, creating alignment and focused productivity improvement.
  • Scalable playbooks, standards, methods, and training that can be deployed consistently across global manufacturing sites.
  • A pipeline of Lean and Quality leaders capable of leading future transformation initiatives across the organization
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the ISS Division's Quality Systems, Process Quality, Sustainability & Compliance, and Lean Continuous Improvement and Industrial Engineering functions, driving a unified vision that advances quality, productivity, and customer experience.
  • Oversee Quality Systems including QMS, BPMS, ISO 9001/14001, CAPA, audits, supplier and customer quality processes, and regulatory compliance, driving improvements in product quality and process performance.
  • Build and embed a culture of continuous improvement through Lean Daily Management, visual factory principles, and disciplined problem solving, driving waste elimination, productivity improvement, and operational excellence.
  • Lead CI and Industrial Engineering initiatives including process flow improvement, time studies, material flow optimization, and facility layout planning.
  • Provide leadership for sustainability, ESG reporting, environmental management systems, and compliance programs.
  • Drive the adoption of AI-enabled Quality and Continuous Improvement capabilities, including predictive quality analytics, computer vision and automated inspection, intelligent SPC, and AI-assisted root cause and CAPA.
  • Develop scalable standards, methods, training, tools, and playbooks while building future Lean and Quality leaders capable of supporting improvements across global sites and future business growth initiatives.
Qualifications Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality, Operations, or a related technical discipline.
  • Master's degree preferred.
Required Experience
  • 10+ years of progressive Quality and/or Operational Excellence leadership in complex manufacturing, including 5+ years leading managers.
  • Demonstrated track record across both Quality (ISO 9001/14001/27001, supplier/customer quality, 8D, CAPA, SPC) and Lean / CI (VSM, Kaizen, 6S, LDM, SMED, TPM).
  • Demonstrated experience advanced manufacturing operations.
  • Proven success leading and influencing in a global, multi-site, multi-cultural environment; willingness to travel as initiatives scale globally.
  • Executive communication skills, with the ability to influence effectively from the shop floor to the boardroom across regions and cultures.
Preferred Experience & Qualifications
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt strongly preferred.
  • Handsโ€‘on experience leading or enabling AI / digital transformation in operations, such as predictive analytics, machine vision, smart inspection, and/or AIโ€‘assisted process and quality systems.
  • Experience in semiconductor equipment, vacuum technology, instrumentation, analytical technology, or related industries.
Additional Information

A reasonable estimate of the current range is:$120,000 to $180,000 annually. In addition, INFICON employees are eligible for a profitโ€‘sharing bonus with a target of 10% as well as 401K match up to 8% (vesting schedule). The actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.

INFICON provides a dynamic work environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees experience ongoing green initiatives, flexible work hours, and a variety of health and wellness programs.

INFICONโ€™s forwardโ€‘thinking approach offers countless opportunities to design, support, and manufacture a diverse product portfolio that expands globally. Our Lean and Agile work environment offers competitive compensation, relocation assistance, a discretionary bonus, and generous employee benefits; major medical, dental, health, vision, 401K, vacation and sick time, tuition reimbursement, and more!

INFICON is committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal opportunity to all job seekers that apply without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, gender, age, protected veteran status, disability status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. A notice describing Federal equal employment opportunity laws is available here to reaffirm this commitment. Any contact that would like to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contactus.careers@inficon.com .

INFICON, Inc. strictly complies with all aspects of the Export Administration Regulations ('EAR'), including those sections dealing with deemed exports to foreign nationals.

#J-18808-Ljbffr