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Lean Practitioner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Imaging ISC - Sr Lean Leader

Waukesha, WI · On-site

$104K - $134K/yr

Coach and develop people at all levels of the organization to build lean skills and become practitioners, with a focus not only on tools but on methods and most importantly on behaviors. * In ...

Coach and develop people at all levels of the organization to build lean skills and become practitioners, with a focus not only on tools but on methods and most importantly on behaviors. * In ...

Train and coach others at the location to become Lean practitioners and team facilitators. * Communicate to site leadership teams on overall Lean Enterprise initiatives, continuous improvement ...

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Lean Practitioner information

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How much do lean practitioner jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for lean practitioner in the United States is $52.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.23 and $58.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Lean Practitioner position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lean Practitioner, you need a solid understanding of Lean methodologies, process improvement, and data analysis, typically supported by experience in operations or manufacturing and Lean Six Sigma certification. Familiarity with tools like Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen events, and statistical software such as Minitab is often required. Strong communication, facilitation, and change management skills help drive collaboration and effective problem-solving across teams. These abilities are essential for successfully leading continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste and enhance operational efficiency.

What are the typical career growth opportunities for a Lean Practitioner?

Lean Practitioners often start by leading small improvement projects and supporting process optimization within their teams. As they gain experience, they may take on larger, cross-functional initiatives and progress to roles such as Lean Manager, Continuous Improvement Leader, or Operations Excellence Director. Many organizations value Lean expertise, so practitioners can also move into consulting, training, or corporate strategy positions focused on process improvement. Career growth is typically supported by ongoing professional development, additional certifications, and a proven track record of successful Lean implementations.

What is a Lean Practitioner job?

A Lean Practitioner is responsible for implementing and sustaining Lean principles to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize processes within an organization. They analyze workflows, identify improvement opportunities, and apply Lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping and Kaizen events. Lean Practitioners often collaborate with teams to drive continuous improvement and foster a culture of operational excellence. Their role is essential in enhancing productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

How much does a lean practitioner make?

A lean practitioner typically earns between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Certifications like Lean Six Sigma can enhance earning potential, and many roles involve process improvement and project management skills.

What does a lean practitioner do?

A lean practitioner implements lean principles to improve efficiency by identifying and eliminating waste in processes. They analyze workflows, facilitate continuous improvement, and often use tools like value stream mapping and Kaizen events to optimize operations within organizations.

What jobs pay 10,000 a month without a degree?

A Lean Practitioner can potentially earn $10,000 a month through consulting, training, or senior roles by demonstrating expertise in process improvement, efficiency, and project management. Success depends on experience, certifications like Lean Six Sigma, and the ability to secure high-value contracts or positions, often requiring strong industry knowledge and networking.

What is a lean practitioner job description?

A lean practitioner is responsible for implementing and maintaining lean principles to improve efficiency and reduce waste within an organization. They analyze processes, identify areas for improvement, and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives, often using tools like value stream mapping and Kaizen. Certification such as Lean Six Sigma is commonly preferred for this role.
More about Lean Practitioner jobs
What cities are hiring for Lean Practitioner jobs? Cities with the most Lean Practitioner job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Lean Practitioner jobs? The most popular types of Lean Practitioner jobs are:
What states have the most Lean Practitioner jobs? States with the most job openings for Lean Practitioner jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Lean Practitioner jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lean Practitioner jobs are:
Infographic showing various Lean Practitioner job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,313 per year, or $52.1 per hour.
Lean Specialist, Lean Transformation Center of Excellence

Lean Specialist, Lean Transformation Center of Excellence

sylvamo

Memphis, TN • On-site

Other

Posted 17 days ago


Sylvamo rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Lean Specialist, Lean Transformation Center of Excellence:  PG (commensurate with experience)

 

Position Summary

Provides deep subject matter expertise in applying LEAN principles to manufacturing/business processes, specifically pulp and paper manufacturing, chemical recovery, and converting operations. Serves as the technical LEAN coach for improvement across all sites during the critical launch phase, ensuring that LEAN tools are adapted appropriately for process industries where traditional discrete-manufacturing Lean approaches (e.g., one-piece flow, takt time) require modification. This newly designed role helps realize the Lean Transformation implementation strategy and accelerate implementation companywide over the next 12–18 months, supporting key aspects of the transformation including communication and change management efforts.


Key Responsibilities

  • Develop LEAN application guides specific to continuous processes: paper machines, pulp digesters, chemical recovery systems, and associated processes
  • Adapt traditional LEAN tools (Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, SMED) for continuous process environments where changeovers, grade changes, and startup/shutdown sequences are the primary improvement targets
  • Lead kaizen events focused on machine efficiency (OEE), grade change optimization, broke/waste reduction, energy consumption, and chemical usage optimization
  • Provide coaching across Lean methodologies to drive rapid improvement and rapidly upskill the existing base of Lean practitioners
  • Coach Site CI Managers on the technical nuances of applying LEAN in continuous process environments
  • Develop standard work documentation for critical continuous process operations (machine starts, grade changes, shutdown procedures)
  • Partner with other LEAN Specialists/Coaches to ensure seamless value stream integration between continuous (papermaking) and discrete (converting) operations
  • Transfer knowledge to site CI teams through structured coaching, documented methodologies, and co-facilitation of kaizen events
  • Support integration of LEAN with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) for paper machines and converting equipment

Required Skills and Knowledge

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

10+ years of experience in continuous process manufacturing, with a minimum of 5 years in LEAN/CI roles within process industries

Strong knowledge of Lean methodology across the entire value stream from forest to customer, with the ability to lead, listen, learn, empower others, act with urgency, and deliver results 

  • Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with demonstrated expertise in process industry applications preferred
  • Deep knowledge of paper manufacturing processes: pulping, papermaking, chemical recovery, and converting
  • Experience with OEE improvement, SMED for grade changes, and statistical process control in continuous environments

Travel Requirements

 

Willingness to travel extensively (60–80%) 

Competency

Safe and Well

Courageous

Humble

Self-aware

Development-minded

Inclusive and Collaborative

Team-oriented

Business Savvy

Customer Focused

Operationally Excellent


What Sylvamo employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

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