Lean Manager Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

COMPANY BACKGROUND:
Morgan Truck Body isn't just the largest manufacturer of medium-duty freight and refrigerated truck bodies in North America - we're a dynamic, fast-growing force revolutionizing the trucking industry! Born from a humble welding shop in 1952 Morgantown, PA, on the historic grounds of Conestoga wagon manufacturing, we've expanded into 14 cutting-edge manufacturing plants and 8 service hubs across the U.S. and Canada - and we're just getting started.
JB Poindexter & Co (JBPCO) is a privately held, diversified manufacturing company forecasting $2.75B in annual revenue and 9,000 team members in 2026. JBPCO prides itself on providing best-in-class commercial automotive and industrial vehicles. The nine operating subsidiaries, covering approximately 70 locations, are engaged in the production of commercial truck bodies, step-vans, utility trucks, ambulances, funeral coaches, limousines, electric and alternative fuel vehicles, pickup truck bed enclosures, and expandable foam plastic packaging. For more information about our industry leading brands and products visit JBPoindexter.com or connect on LinkedIn.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Regional Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for the deployment and execution of the PLPS (Pondexter Lean Production System) in a region made up of approximately six plants. This position is responsible for understanding the current process state, identifying efficiency/improvement opportunities, then leading cross-functional team members to drive process improvements tied to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the business utilizing Lean and Continuous Improvement principles and tools.
Operating in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, this position demands both strategic thinking and a hands-on approach. Depending on business needs, the manager is expected to work directly on the shop floor to lead, implement, and sustain process improvements at the point of impact.
Focus areas include but are not limited to; cycle time and lead time reduction, root cause analysis through PDCA, process re-designs that result in the reduction of the number of steps and eliminate other forms of process waste, productivity improvements, visual management implementation, standard work definition, etc. Automation opportunities will be identified, documented, and applied where necessary.
The Regional Continuous Improvement Manager will also teach and apply Lean & CI principles to achieve self-sustaining processes.
Regions include: West: WI/TX/CA/AZ/OR; East: PA/CT/OH/FL/GA/Canada.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Document current processes and propose improvements through Kaizen events, VSMs, and problem-solving tools.
• Standardize processes across various business units, developing Standard Operating Procedures, work standards, 5S activities, displaying manufacturing KPIs across all plants.
• Implement process management/improvement initiatives following Lean & CI principle.
• Create new self-sustaining processes and tracking systems through the appropriate manufacturing KPIs, Kaizen activities and savings.
• Assist in training Lean & CI principles to line staff and other team members in the use of tools and methodologies as part of the improvement project execution
• Lead process changes, improvements, value stream mapping, financial savings calculation and validation
• Champion communication across the manufacturing plants and between Morgan and its parent company
• Facilitate and lead cross-functional teams to achieve Kaizen objectives
• Increase workflow efficiency and productivity through line balancing and waste elimination.
• Mentor employees as they apply Lean methodology to problem solving and project execution
• Publish progress reports
• Follow and comply with all Environmental Health & Safety policies

EXPERTISE (MUST):

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years' experience in Discrete manufacturing, applying Lean manufacturing and problem-solving tools
• 5+ years' work experience in Lean & Continuous Improvement activities and financial calculation of savings, budget forecasting, ROI calculation and ration analysis.
• 5+ year of experience in the implementation of a visual factory (visual management), displaying real time information for team members and management staff
• Trained in Lean Six Sigma Principles (5S, Waste Reduction, Error/Mistake Proofing, PDCA, Root Cause Analysis, A3 Problem Solving, VSM, KAIZEN, Lead Time Reduction)
• Strong analytical skills and extensive experience in financial calculations of savings and return of the investment
• Experience in operational performance evaluation (Efficiency/Productivity/Utilization)
• Ability to travel 50% to 75%.

EXPERTISE (WISH):

• Lean certification;
• Six Sigma Certified (Green or Black Belt)
• Automotive or Aerospace experience
• Experience developing and maintaining Power BI dashboards (or similar tools) to visualize KPIs, track performance, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Excel (advanced formulas, Power Query, VBA) and/or Minitab for statistical analysis and process improvement.
• Working knowledge of CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks) to support layout optimization, line balancing, and facility design improvements.
• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) or ERP systems for production tracking and performance analysis.

KEY COMPETENCIES:
Competency Title
Competency Definition
Leadership Competencies
Communication
Expresses oneself effectively both orally and in written form. Communicate plans and activities in a manner that supports strategies for employee involvement. Actively listens to others.
Creative Problem Solving
Identifies and collects information relevant to the problem. Uses brainstorming techniques to create a variety of choices. Selects the best course of action by identifying all the alternatives and then makes a logical assumption.
Time Management
Manages competing priorities effectively, to be resourceful and to use time as a resource.
Management Competencies
Building Relationships
Connects and build relationships with others inside and outside the organization develops highly effective teams and alliances.
Decision Making
Makes timely decisions with well-developed judgment, while considering alternatives, risks and other critical decision factors.
Business Acumen Competencies
Critical Thinking
Able to think analytically and apply a process of problem identification, solution development and implementation.
Results Driven
Focuses on desired results, and sets and achieve challenging goals. Habitually sets challenging goals and develops standards against which to measure behavior and performance, persists in the face of significant difficulties, takes risks, faces fear, and demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about achieving goals.
Technical Competencies
Lean Expertise
Lean Expertise
Proven knowledge and execution of Lean methods, as modeled after the Toyota Production System.
SAFETY:
Safety is paramount on any Morgan operation. The Continuous Improvement Engineer is expected to be familiar with the company's safety program and enforce the safety policy always. Never walk past an unsafe act.
CODE OF ETHICS:
Morgan requires the highest standard of ethics in all business dealings, in particular with customers, suppliers, advisors, employees and authorities. The Continuous Improvement Engineer shall actively ensure that his/her own activities and those of all employees within the project meet this obligation. Morgan's critical standards and procedures related to expected conduct are detailed on the company website. The Continuous Improvement Engineer is expected to be familiar with these policies and ensure that they are implemented in all areas of control.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
This job operates in a manufacturing plant environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms and lift and carry objects up to 30 pounds.
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