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Improvement Manager Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Vertex Education

Continuous Improvement Manager

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$91K - $122K/yr

As a key driver of our mission to change lives through education, the Manager, Continuous Improvement will guide our Vertex Support Services (VSS) in its CI journey. VSS is a recently created ...

South32

Principal, Business Improvement

Tucson, AZ · On-site

Govern and manage the operation improvement pipeline to ensure sufficient pipeline health, cadence of initiative delivery and gap closure to MTC and Improvement target(s). Business Planning and ...

Banner Health

Quality Improvement Specialist

Mesa, AZ

Quality Improvement-Corp Work Shift: Day Job Category: Risk, Quality and Safety You have a place in ... Whether your background is in Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Legal, Managed Care ...

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Improvement Manager information

See Arizona salary details

$38.2K

$83.3K

$122.1K

How much do improvement manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for improvement manager in Arizona is $83,297.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,600.00 and $97,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an improvement manager do?

An Improvement Manager is responsible for identifying, planning, and implementing strategies to enhance business processes, efficiency, and performance within an organization. They analyze current workflows, identify areas for improvement, and lead projects to drive positive change. Improvement Managers often use methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement frameworks to achieve results, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation and lasting impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an improvement manager?

To thrive as an Improvement Manager, you need expertise in process analysis, project management, and data-driven decision-making, often supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies, as well as proficiency in tools like Microsoft Excel, project management software, and data visualization platforms, is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills help drive change and foster collaboration across teams. These skills are critical for identifying inefficiencies, implementing solutions, and ensuring sustainable organizational growth.

How does an improvement manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive organizational change?

Improvement Managers frequently work alongside cross-functional teams by facilitating workshops, gathering input from various departments, and aligning stakeholders on process changes. They act as a bridge between leadership and operational staff, ensuring everyone understands the objectives and benefits of proposed improvements. Regular communication, progress updates, and collaborative problem-solving are essential parts of the role, as they help address resistance and ensure smooth implementation of new initiatives.

What is the role of an improvement manager?

An improvement manager is responsible for analyzing business processes, identifying areas for efficiency gains, and implementing strategies to enhance performance. They often use tools like Lean or Six Sigma and collaborate with teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives. Strong analytical skills and project management experience are essential for this role.

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Improvement Manager jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Improvement Manager job openings:

Improvement Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Improvement Manager job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,297 per year, or $40 per hour.

Continuous Improvement Manager

Graham Packaging Company

Casa Grande, AZ • On-site

$93K - $126K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Graham Packaging rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

69th of 120 rated packaging manufacturers

Job description

Company Statement
Graham Packaging is a people, planet and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Graham Packaging is part of your everyday life.
For employees at Graham, our Blue Culture is part of their everyday lives, too. In other words, Blue is how we do things here.
At Graham, we are united by a clear vision. We know our part and help those around us know theirs, encouraging one another to continuously improve. We create a safe, challenging environment to innovate by supporting creative ideas and new ways of thinking. We take the initiative to cultivate our individual growth and help others do the same, while keeping ourselves and one another accountable. And we actively promote cooperation, collaboration, integrity and respect across regions and teams to foster an engaged, diverse and connected workforce.
We value our employees, and a Blue Culture allows for the most rewarding employee experience as part of the Graham family. Blue is how we feel about what we do-together-to create a better tomorrow. Working at Graham means you lead constructively with clear goals, use diverse thinking to drive excellence, accountability, innovation, as well as demonstrating collaboration, embracing learning, and taking action for continuous improvement and growth.
Overview
Graham Packaging is seeking a dynamic and multidisciplinary Continuous Improvement Manager to optimize plant systems, production line and equipment performance, and product quality. The Continuous Improvement Manager will be skilled in assessing and diagnosing the root causes of problems that lead to defective products, production yield loss and reduced productive uptime. The Continuous Improvement Manager will work with plants to develop and manage A3 projects to systematically address the Pareto of improvement opportunities using Lean tools and the Graham Operational Excellence (OPEX) continuous improvement process. The Continuous Improvement Manager will be knowledgeable in the fundamentals of lean manufacturing including reduction of variability, waste elimination, and theory of constraints to drive continuous improvement. The position, regionally based, has CI responsibility for the Graham network of plants. Each CI has a focus area such as Rapid Change-Over, DOE / FMEA & 8D Complex Problem Solving, Graham Operating System - CI Element, Yield & Materials Kaizen, and Intelligent Factory.
Responsibilities
The Continuous Improvement Manager's responsibilities are to:
  • Use observation, questioning and data measurement to fully understand and categorize yield and uptime issues.
  • Identify and eliminate sources of variation that lead to changes to the Standard Operating Condition (SOC).
  • Facilitate problem solving to root cause elimination and permanent reduction of variance.
  • Analyze lines for constraints and bottlenecks to achieve continuous flow.
  • Advocate for the Voice of the Customer (VOC) via process capability and defect elimination.
  • Assess standard work artifacts and training to identify the origin of production flow issues.
  • Contract or otherwise coordinate third parties to perform equipment or system assessments.
  • Conduct timing and point of loss yield studies to identify the loss Pareto.
  • Perform data analysis and prepare written reports in order make visible the true nature of problems and opportunities.
  • Develop a detailed root cause analysis for each problem, where each root cause is validated through testing, i.e. the condition or defect can be turned on or off.
  • Develop countermeasures that could range from basic problem containment to system repair to equipment replacement.
  • Generate and communicate implementation plans using Gantt charts and work breakdown structures.
  • Coordinate central Operations & Engineering resources or third parties to staff implementation plans as necessary.
  • Formulate strategic improvement hypotheses within the A3 Thinking process.
  • Facilitate Problem Solving by leveraging/modeling the DMAIC process and Kaizen.
  • Lead Daily Management processes to validate that actions lead to desired performance improvements.
  • Support deployment of Lean tools such as 5S, Visual Factory Aids, SMED concepts, VSM, VOC and Poke Yoke to improve plant safety, quality and throughput performance.
  • Proactively seek problems for resolution and quantify the anticipated benefit of solving each particular problem.
  • Follow through to assess and report on achieving desired improvements.
  • Ensure appropriate standard work is developed and in place to minimize problem reoccurrence.

Qualifications
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
  • BS degree in Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing related
  • Experience in an structured problem solving and continuous improvement mindset workplace
  • At least 7 years of experience working in plant operations in multi-line manufacturing plant
  • Experienced working in the plastics industry

Core Proficiencies and Skills
  • The following skills and proficiencies are essential requirements of the position:
  • Strong understanding of Operational Excellence, Lean principals, statistics and data analysis.
  • Rapid Changeover implementation experience using Lean tools, Standard Work, and Project Management tools
  • Proficient applying DMAIC or PDCA continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Deep knowledge in production line flow, yield and uptime analysis for improvement.
  • Knowledge of line design that optimizes line uptime i.e. throughput, queueing, accumulation and bottleneck analysis.
  • Skilled applying manual line measurements (e.g. Tic Charts) and other data collection methods and measurement methods to understand unit flow and loss characteristics
  • Experienced in optimizing the performance of:

o Factory systems and line process inputs
o Information flow
o Raw materials flow, conveyance, blending, and drying systems
o Blow Molder lines for throughput
o Injection Molding lines for capability
o Quality systems for defect elimination
o EHS systems for a safe working environment
o Operational systems for waste elimination
o People development for engagement and ownership
  • Skilled in facilitation of Problem solving including 8D, FMEA, Kaizen, Lean tools
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong coaching, mentoring skills

Compensation Statement
The expected salary range for the position described in this posting is made in accordance with the legal mandates of certain jurisdictions within the United States. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on individual qualifications and experience.
Benefits Statement
Benefits include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in the company's 401K Employee Saving Plan and may participate in its Employee Wellness Program. Employees will also receive paid time off in accordance with company policy and state law requirements.
EEO Disclaimer
Graham Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

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About Graham Packaging

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Graham Packaging is a people, planet and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Graham Packaging is part of your everyday life. For employees at Graham, our Blue Culture is part of their everyday lives, too. In other words, Blue is how we do things here.

Industry

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

York, PA, US

Year founded

1970

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