Process Improvement Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

The Process, Reliability & Continuous Improvement Manager leads site-wide initiatives to optimize manufacturing processes, strengthen equipment reliability, and embed a culture of continuous improvement. This role focuses on reducing waste, improving flow, increasing productivity, and ensuring that operational excellence, safety, quality, service, and compliance are fully integrated into daily plant operations.

• Lead and coordinate continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing processes to reduce waste, improve process flow, and increase overall productivity.
• Drive process reliability by identifying sources of variation, chronic losses, bottlenecks, and recurring failures, and implementing sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner closely with Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve equipment uptime, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and asset lifecycle performance.
• Develop and implement reliability strategies for critical plant assets, including autonomous maintenance (AM), preventive maintenance (PM), predictive maintenance, root cause failure analysis, and critical spare parts planning.
• Facilitate structured problem-solving sessions using methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, A3, 5 Whys, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).
• Standardize operating procedures, center lining, control plans, and visual management systems to improve process consistency and repeatability.
• Use operational data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify improvement opportunities, prioritize projects, track benefit realization, and drive sustained performance across the plant.
• Lead cross-functional project teams and workshops focused on safety, quality, service, cost, and capability improvement.
• Build and promote a culture of a “zero-loss mindset,” emphasizing ownership and control of controllable factors in the operation.
• Support capital projects, new equipment start-ups, and process changes to ensure reliability, maintainability, and operational readiness are fully embedded into standard operations.
• Coach managers, supervisors, and frontline teams in continuous improvement tools, methods, and behaviors to build site capability and drive lasting change.
• Ensure all improvement activities align with and support HSSE, quality, service, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Prepare clear and regular updates for leadership on the project pipeline, including risks, resource needs, progress, savings, and operational impact.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related technical discipline.
• Considerable experience in manufacturing, process engineering, reliability, maintenance, or continuous improvement roles within a plant or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated success leading operational improvement projects in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), root cause analysis, and reliability engineering principles.
• Experience working with key production metrics such as OEE, downtime, scrap, yield, changeover performance, and maintenance performance indicators.
• Ability to analyze operational and maintenance data, identify trends, and convert insights into practical actions with measurable results.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, prioritization, and execution of multiple improvement initiatives.
• Effective facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at different levels and across functions.
• Proven experience coaching teams and leading change across diverse functions and organizational levels.
• Proficiency in Excel and reporting tools for data analysis and performance tracking.

• Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), ERP platforms, or manufacturing data systems.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or reliability-related certification is preferred.
• Background in operational excellence, manufacturing engineering, or process improvement is highly beneficial.
• Experience applying Lean, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to design and implement visual management and standardized work systems.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build alignment and commitment to improvement initiatives.

This role operates in a manufacturing plant environment, working closely with production, maintenance, and engineering teams on the shop floor and in office settings. The position involves regular interaction with equipment, production lines, and operational data systems, including Excel-based reports, CMMS, ERP, and other manufacturing information tools. The work schedule typically follows standard plant operating hours, with flexibility required to support key projects, equipment start-ups, and cross-functional workshops. The environment emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on collaboration, structured problem-solving, and operational discipline. Appropriate attire aligned with a manufacturing and industrial setting is expected, including adherence to site-specific safety and protective equipment requirements.

This is a Permanent position based out of Blythewood, SC.

The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $140000.00/yr.

PTO, Holiday, health insurance.

This is a fully onsite position in Blythewood,SC.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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