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Lean Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lean In

Program Operations Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140K - $155K/yr

Role Overview Lean In's programs reach thousands of partners, volunteer leaders, and community members around the world. The internal systems behind them - our CRM, our automations, our data - have ...

Lean In

Program Operations Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Role Overview Lean In's programs reach thousands of partners, volunteer leaders, and community members around the world. The internal systems behind them - our CRM, our automations, our data - have ...

Senior plc

Lean Coach

Burbank, CA · On-site

$95K/yr

Support daily management systems and help develop visual management boards * Guide implementation ... Lean or Six Sigma certification * Experience with aerospace supply chain dynamics * Background in ...

Senior plc

Lean Coach

Burbank, CA · On-site

$95K/yr

Support daily management systems and help develop visual management boards * Guide implementation ... Lean or Six Sigma certification * Experience with aerospace supply chain dynamics * Background in ...

Sulzer AG

Lean/Industrial Engineer

Pasadena, CA

$76K - $103K/yr

Monitor KPIs and provide actionable reports to management with recommendations for improvement ... Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred. * Proficiency in industrial ...

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All JobsLean JobsLean Manager JobsLean Manager Jobs in California

Lean Manager information

See California salary details

$54.8K

$100.1K

$138.7K

How much do lean manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for lean manager in California is $100,091.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,800.00 and $113,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Lean Manager vs Continuous Improvement Coordinator?

AspectLean ManagerContinuous Improvement Coordinator
CredentialsLean certifications, Six Sigma Green/Black BeltLean or Six Sigma training, certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, production, or service industriesManufacturing, healthcare, or corporate settings
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in industries focusing on process efficiencyUsed across various industries aiming for process improvements
Primary FocusImplementing lean principles to eliminate wasteSupporting continuous improvement initiatives and projects

While both roles focus on process enhancement, a Lean Manager leads lean implementation and strategy, whereas a Continuous Improvement Coordinator supports ongoing improvement projects. The Lean Manager typically has more strategic responsibilities, while the Coordinator focuses on executing specific initiatives.

What is a lean manager?

Lean managers identify areas in a business that can be streamlined to make processes and production more efficient. These changes are often small and incremental, but lean managers find ways to reduce areas that waste time, effort, or money, and make the overall functions of the business run more smoothly. As a lean manager, you need to understand how your company runs, the goals of production, and be able to connect with employees so that they are inspired to move towards the same efficiency objectives. You must know how to analyze data, dissect small and large processes of your business, and provide practical ways to cut unnecessary waste.

How does a lean manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements?

A Lean Manager regularly works with cross-functional teams—such as operations, quality, engineering, and supply chain—to identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements. This involves facilitating workshops, guiding value stream mapping sessions, and coaching team members on Lean principles. Effective collaboration requires strong communication skills to align different departments toward common goals and ensure that changes are sustained over time. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, Lean Managers help teams break down silos and achieve greater efficiency together.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lean manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lean Manager, you need expertise in process improvement methodologies, strong analytical skills, and typically a background in engineering, operations, or business management. Familiarity with Lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Six Sigma, and experience with ERP systems or continuous improvement certifications (like Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt) are highly valued. Exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills are crucial for driving change and engaging teams. These skills and qualifications enable Lean Managers to effectively streamline processes, reduce waste, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within organizations.
More about Lean Manager jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Lean jobs in California? The most popular types of Lean jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Lean Manager jobs in California? For Lean Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lean Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Lean Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Lean Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Lean Manager job openings:
Lean Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lean Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,091 per year, or $48.1 per hour.

Manager, Industrial Engineering & Lean Transformation

AeroVironment

Simi Valley, CA • On-site

$117K - $179K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 29 days ago

AeroVironment rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

Worker Type

Regular


Job Description

Summary

The Manager of Industrial Engineering & Lean Transformation is responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing manufacturing systems and workflows, while leading Lean transformation initiatives. They drive value stream efficiency, capacity planning, and strategic use of resources, ensuring alignment with business goals related to output, cost, quality, and lead time.

Position Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain time standards, labor models, and production layouts.

  • Lead capacity planning, line balancing, and throughput optimization.

  • Design and improve facility layouts, workstation ergonomics, and material flow.

  • Conduct value stream mapping to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

  • Lead Lean transformation initiatives using tools like 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, SMED, Standard Work, and Visual Management.

  • Deploy Lean Six Sigma methodologies to reduce variation, waste, and non-value-added activities.

  • Facilitate cross-functional Kaizen events and improvement workshops across departments.

  • Analyze production data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.

  • Establish and track KPIs for productivity, efficiency, takt time, and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).

  • Develop cost-benefit analyses for capital projects and process changes.

  • Support factory modernization and digital manufacturing initiatives (e.g., MES, automation, real-time analytics).

  • Partner with Product Development and NPI teams to drive Design for Manufacturability (DfM) and scalability into new product designs.

  • Train and mentor supervisors, engineers, and frontline teams in Lean principles.

  • Act as a change agent, promoting a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.

  • Build Lean maturity roadmaps and assess organizational readiness for transformation.

  • Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management to align Lean initiatives with business objectives.

  • Interface with executive leadership to report Lean transformation progress, ROI, and impact.

  • Represent the Supplier Quality organization in high-level cross-functional meetings and executive updates.

  • Ensure compliance with applicable standards including AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, and customer-specific quality requirements.

  • Foster a continuous improvement culture within the supplier base and internal SQE team.

  • Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

  • Minimum of 8 years of related experience in high-mix, low-volume, or complex production environments.

  • Minimum of 3 years of successfully leading manufacturing teams within a product development environment.

  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

  • Lean Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt) strongly preferred.

  • Proficiency in process simulation tools, time studies, and data analytics.

  • Strong leadership, project management, and facilitation skills.

  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-mix, low-volume production environment.

  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (up to 50%).

  • Strong organizational and time management skills

  • Proven adaptability in fast-paced, evolving environments

  • Strategic thinker who anticipates change and fosters team alignment

  • Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a focus on shared success

  • Ownership-driven, continuously learning, and improvement-focused

Physical Demands

  • Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)

  • Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements

  • U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) orasylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.

  • Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.


Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$117,500 - $179,250

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment's business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn't for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don't just build defense technology-we redefine what's possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we're not building history, we're building what's next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there's no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data,sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required

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