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Lean Manufacturing Leader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Henderson, NV ยท On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

If you are a strategic manufacturing leader who thrives on developing high-performing teams ... Lead Lean Manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives * Champion ...

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Lean Manufacturing Leader information

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$59K

$99.5K

$160.5K

How much do lean manufacturing leader jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for lean manufacturing leader in the United States is $99,499.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $126,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Lean Manufacturing Leader vs Continuous Improvement Coordinator?

AspectLean Manufacturing LeaderContinuous Improvement Coordinator
CredentialsLean certifications, Six SigmaLean, Six Sigma, or CI certifications
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, production linesOffice and shop floor, cross-functional teams
Employer & IndustryManufacturing, industrial sectorsManufacturing, service industries
Primary FocusImplementing lean strategies, reducing wasteIdentifying improvement opportunities, process optimization

The Lean Manufacturing Leader focuses on leading lean initiatives and implementing waste reduction strategies on the shop floor, often with a strong emphasis on production efficiency. The Continuous Improvement Coordinator supports ongoing process improvements across departments, emphasizing data analysis and cross-functional collaboration. While both roles require similar certifications and work in manufacturing environments, the Lean Manufacturing Leader typically has a more strategic and leadership-oriented role in lean implementation, whereas the Continuous Improvement Coordinator focuses on facilitating continuous process enhancements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lean Manufacturing Leader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lean Manufacturing Leader, you need expertise in lean principles, process improvement, and manufacturing operations, often supported by a degree in engineering or industrial management. Familiarity with Six Sigma, Kaizen methodologies, and lean management software tools, as well as certifications like Lean Six Sigma, are typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication skills are critical for driving team engagement and sustaining process improvements. These skills are crucial for reducing waste, enhancing productivity, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within manufacturing environments.

What are Lean Manufacturing Leaders?

Lean Manufacturing Leaders are professionals responsible for implementing and overseeing lean principles in manufacturing environments. Their goal is to maximize efficiency, reduce waste, and improve processes by applying methodologies such as Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement. They lead teams, train staff, and analyze workflows to identify areas for optimization. Lean Manufacturing Leaders play a crucial role in fostering a culture of operational excellence and driving sustainable improvements in productivity and quality.

What are the 5 P's of lean manufacturing?

The 5 P's of lean manufacturing are Purpose, Process, People, Problem-solving, and Performance. As a Lean Manufacturing Leader, understanding these principles helps optimize workflows, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency in production environments.

What are the 4 P's of lean?

The 4 P's of lean are Purpose, Process, People, and Problem-solving. They serve as foundational elements in lean manufacturing to improve efficiency, quality, and employee engagement. Lean leaders often focus on these areas to drive continuous improvement and waste reduction.

What is the highest paying job in manufacturing?

In manufacturing, senior executive roles such as Manufacturing Director or Vice President of Manufacturing tend to be the highest paying positions, often earning six-figure salaries. These roles require extensive experience, leadership skills, and knowledge of production processes, quality control, and supply chain management.

What are the 5 C's of lean?

The 5 C's of lean are a set of principles used to maintain a clean, organized, and efficient workspace, which is essential for lean manufacturing leaders. They include Clear, Concise, Consistent, Correct, and Clean, focusing on visual management, standardization, and continuous improvement to reduce waste and improve productivity.
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What cities are hiring for Lean Manufacturing Leader jobs? Cities with the most Lean Manufacturing Leader job openings:
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Infographic showing various Lean Manufacturing Leader job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,499 per year, or $47.8 per hour.

Lean Manufacturing Consultant

OPEX Selection

San Antonio, TX โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Senior Consultant โ€“ Lean & Operational Excellence Transformation

Client-Facing Lean Consulting Role | Shop Floor Transformation | Regulated Manufacturing


Location: San Antonio area, Texas

Travel: Regular USA travel

Salary: $140,000 - $170,000 (highly dependent on experience) + Bonus + Excellent Benefits

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time | Excellent career prospects



The Opportunity:

OPEX Selection is delighted to be partnering with a highly respected Operational Excellence consultancy to recruit a Senior Consultant for a major transformation program based near San Antonio, Texas.


This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Operational Excellence, Lean, Continuous Improvement, or Transformation professional who enjoys working in challenging environments where leadership, influence, credibility, and delivery are every bit as important as technical expertise.


The successful candidate will join an established consulting team supporting a significant manufacturing transformation program. This is a highly visible role requiring somebody who can quickly build trust, influence stakeholders at all levels, and help deliver sustainable operational and cultural improvements.


Unlike many project-based consulting opportunities, this is a permanent position offering genuine long-term career development within a growing consulting organisation. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to future transformation programmes, broaden their consulting exposure, and build a rewarding long-term career.


The Role:

Working closely with senior leaders, managers, supervisors, and frontline teams, you will help improve operational performance, strengthen leadership capability, and build sustainable improvement cultures.

You will spend significant time within operational environments, identifying opportunities, removing barriers to performance, coaching leaders, and supporting teams to deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and engagement.

This is not simply a Lean tools deployment role. Success requires somebody who can navigate complexity, influence behaviours, challenge constructively, and help organisations achieve lasting performance improvement.


Key responsibilities include:

  • Leading Operational Excellence and transformation initiatives
  • Facilitating improvement workshops and problem-solving activities
  • Coaching leaders to strengthen accountability and performance
  • Developing Continuous Improvement capability across operational teams
  • Driving measurable operational and business improvements
  • Building trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation
  • Supporting both operational and cultural aspects of transformation


Who We Are Looking For

This role will suit somebody with strong Operational Excellence expertise combined with excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

You may currently be working within:

  • Operational Excellence Consulting
  • Continuous Improvement Leadership
  • Lean Transformation
  • Manufacturing Excellence
  • Business Transformation
  • Senior Operational Leadership


Experience gained within pharmaceuticals, life sciences, medical devices, manufacturing, engineering, chemicals, consumer products, or similarly complex operational environments will be highly valued.


The successful candidate will demonstrate:

  • Strong Lean and/or Six Sigma expertise
  • Experience delivering operational improvement and transformation programs
  • The ability to influence and coach leaders at multiple organizational levels
  • Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills
  • A track record of delivering measurable business results
  • Resilience, credibility, and professional maturity


What Will Make You Successful?

The most successful individuals in this role are highly visible within operational environments and equally comfortable engaging with operators, supervisors, managers, and senior leaders.

They build credibility through action, sound judgment, and a genuine understanding of how work gets done.

We are looking for somebody who establishes credibility, builds trust quickly, and can confidently engage with senior leaders whilst remaining equally effective on the shop floor.

Rather than simply implementing Lean tools, they help organisations think differently, lead differently, and achieve higher levels of performance.


Package & Career Opportunity:

  • Salary of USD 140,000 - USD 170,000 plus bonus
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Permanent full-time position
  • Significant client-facing responsibility and visibility
  • Long-term career progression within a growing consulting environment


This role combines home office working with a significant on-site presence near San Antonio, Texas, with the majority of the working week spent supporting client teams on-site.


This recruitment process will move quickly. If you are seeking a highly visible role where you can genuinely influence operational performance and deliver meaningful transformation within complex manufacturing environments, we encourage you to apply in complete confidence.

OPEX Selection is a specialist in recruiting โ€™Improvement Championsโ€™; Lean, Six Sigma and Operational Excellence leaders and professionals on a permanent and interim basis worldwide.