Senior Project Manager, Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

Department: ETX Applications

Referral Bonus: $500.00 USD

Summary

Leads and accelerates Enerflex’s Lean and Continuous Improvement (CI) journey across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, project execution, quality, and supporting business processes. The role combines Lean leadership, structured problem solving, project/portfolio management, change leadership, data analysis, and hands-on Gemba engagement.

The purpose of the role is not to “do Lean” for the organization, but to build leaders and teams who identify and solve problems themselves. The Senior Project Manager teaches, demonstrates, facilitates, and coaches Lean practices - including structured Kaizen - while progressively transferring ownership so improvements are standardized, sustained, and continue after direct CI support is withdrawn.

Principle Responsibilities and Duties

Lean Transformation

• Deploy the Enerflex CI/Lean roadmap across sites and functions, shifting CI from projects to a daily management system.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects in fabrication, assembly, material flow, engineering, procurement, quality/NCR, schedule, COPQ and margin.
• Own charters, a prioritized project pipeline, benefit verification and executive status reporting.
• Build and coach SQDC tiered huddles, visual management, Leader Standard Work, Gemba walks, escalation and layered audits.
• Teach, coach, and facilitate structured Kaizen events and value stream assessments, developing leaders and employees to independently plan, lead, execute, and sustain Kaizen with implemented, measured results.
• Build leader ownership of Lean by coaching leaders to identify problems at Gemba, develop people through structured problem solving, remove systemic barriers, and reinforce standards through daily leadership routines.
• Lock every gain into standard work, visual controls, clear ownership and audits, verified at 30/60/90 days.

Capability Building & Change Leadership

• Coach leaders, develop internal CI coaches, and deliver practical, learn-by-doing Lean training and projects.
• Develop Kaizen capability at all levels by teaching a repeatable event method: scoping and preparation, current-state observation, waste identification, root-cause analysis, countermeasures, rapid implementation, standardization, follow-up, and sustainment.
• Transfer capability progressively: demonstrate the method, co-lead events, coach leaders as they lead, and hand ownership to the operating organization.
• Coach PDCA, A3, 5 Why, RCA, Pareto and VSM; apply DMAIC/FMEA where appropriate.
• Build stakeholder alignment and employee ownership; recognize and communicate successes.
• Set baselines and track SQDC outcomes (FPY, NCRs, COPQ, on-time delivery, labor hours, margin) and CI system-health measures.

Success Measures

• SQDC, daily management, Gemba and Leader Standard Work embedded in site routines.
• A3/PDCA is the default for complex problems; Kaizen results captured in standard work and sustained through follow-up.
• Site and functional leaders independently sponsor, lead, and sustain Kaizen events, with CI operating as coach rather than event owner.
• Internal CI coaches and leaders teach and reinforce Lean problem solving and Kaizen within their own areas.
• Measurable KPI improvement, with gains holding after CI support is withdrawn.

Qualifications

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial/Manufacturing preferred), Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or related discipline.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or MBA.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing, operations, engineering, project execution, or operational excellence.
• 5+ years leading significant Lean/CI initiatives, with demonstrated hands-on implementation and sustained results in an operating environment (not solely training or consulting).
• Demonstrated experience teaching, facilitating, and coaching Kaizen events, and developing others to independently lead improvement activities.
• Proven record leading complex cross-functional projects with frontline and executive stakeholders.
• Engineered-to-order, project-based manufacturing, fabrication/welding, assembly, or energy/industrial equipment experience strongly preferred.

Certifications

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (ASQ CSSBB or equivalent) preferred.
• Lean certification from a recognized Lean organization, PMP, and/or Prosci (or equivalent) change-management training are a plus.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong practical command of Lean/TPS principles, PDCA, A3, Kaizen, VSM, 5S, visual and daily management, Leader Standard Work, Standard Work, Gemba, flow/pull/Kanban, setup reduction, error proofing, RCA/5 Why, Pareto, FMEA, Lean Six Sigma/DMAIC, and basic statistics.
• Working mastery of the full Kaizen cycle: event selection and scoping, sponsor alignment, preparation, facilitation, implementation, standardization, benefit verification, and sustainment.

Leadership Competencies

• Leads without authority - influences through credibility, coaching, and results.
• Works at every level - equally effective at a fabrication-bay Gemba and an executive review.
• Develops people, not dependence - coaches others through problems rather than solving them.
• Teaches and transfers capability - uses Kaizen and daily improvement to grow leaders and internal problem solvers, not just deliver project results.
• Makes problems visible - uses facts, data, and visual management; challenges systems while respecting people.
• Builds sustainable systems - an improvement is complete only when standardized, owned, and sustained.
• Connects Lean to business results - ties CI activity to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer outcomes.

Physical Requirements

Combination of office and manufacturing shop-floor environments; appropriate PPE required in operational areas. Many tasks have high degrees of time sensitivity. Regular travel to Enerflex manufacturing and operating locations is required; international travel is possible on occasion.

About Us:

Transforming Energy for a Sustainable Future. Enerflex is a premier integrated global provider of energy infrastructure solutions, covering gas processing, compression, power generation, refrigeration, cryogenic, energy transition, and water solutions. We proudly employ more than 5,000 highly skilled employees across over 25 countries worldwide.

Enerflex places its core Values of Integrity, Commitment, Creativity, and Success into action across all aspects of the business. Our innovation, strong commitment to safety, and superior service to our customers positions us as the optimal partner to meet the needs of the dynamic energy industry.

We foster a culture of ensuring our employees have the tools to do their jobs right, but to also thrive in their roles. We pride ourselves in our competitive wages, extensive rewards programs, celebration of successes of individuals and teams, and are committed to ensuring Enerflex remains a safe and inclusive space for all.

What Enerflex Offers You:

Full time employees enjoy the following benefits:

• Generous healthcare, dental and vision plans
• 401(k) employer matching
• Generous paid time off program
• Employee equity plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Fun office environment

Enerflex is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Enerflex grants equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, genetic information, mental or physical disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunities are provided in recruitment, hiring, promotions, wages, benefits, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks, duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities required.