Lead Continuous Improvement Engineer

Supporting the Legrand Power Bus Way plants and reporting to the Plant Manager, the Lead Continuous Improvement Engineer will lead and support Lean transformation and daily management initiatives across manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for driving the implementation of continuous improvement strategies, ensuring Lean principles, practices, and tools are embedded into the organization’s culture and day-to-day processes. The position will identify, lead, and sustain improvement initiatives focused on areas including safety, customer value, quality, delivery, cycle time, productivity, growth, margin expansion, and inventory optimization.

Travel: 25% / Valid Passport Requied

Main Responsibilities

Lean Transformation & Daily Management

• Implement tactical strategies that support the plant's Lean transformation vision.
• Execute short-term and long-term objectives aligned with plant KPIs and operational goals.
• Partner with site personnel to identify, address, and eliminate process-related obstacles.
• Support changes to systems and processes that advance Lean initiatives.
• Utilize value stream mapping to optimize information flow, material flow, and operational processes.

Continuous Improvement & Change Leadership

• Serve as a change agent by supporting, facilitating, and leading Kaizen events.
• Coach teams on pre-work and post-work standards to ensure successful event outcomes.
• Co-facilitate or facilitate improvement events, projects, and rapid-action initiatives.
• Participate in Gemba walks and coach employees on continuous improvement practices.
• Promote standard work development, adherence, and accountability.
• Coach employees and leaders on problem-solving techniques and managing process abnormalities.
• Update and maintain visual management tools, including tier boards and performance displays.
• Develop, implement, and sustain standard work while teaching leaders to do the same.

Culture & Employee Development

• Support the integration of Lean transformation and daily management into plant culture.
• Identify ongoing training and development opportunities related to Lean principles.
• Drive an Operational Excellence (OpEx) culture through coaching and reinforcement of Lean behaviors.
• Promote and support adherence to the Legrand Way.
• Conduct Legrand Way RADAR assessments to identify opportunities for cultural and operational improvement.
• Coach and reinforce Legrand Values across all levels of the organization.

Performance Monitoring & Sustainability

• Audit improvement initiatives to ensure changes are effective and sustainable.
• Monitor, track, and report key performance metrics.
• Validate results and support continuous improvement efforts through ongoing follow-up and assessment.

Project & Operational Support

• Assist the Plant Manager and Value Stream Managers with critical projects and capacity expansion initiatives.
• Support cross-functional efforts that improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory management, and overall operational performance.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Communication & Facilitation

• Demonstrated written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, activities, and discussions using structured problem-solving and improvement methodologies.
• Skilled in preparing reports, business correspondence, procedures, and process documentation.
• Ability to create, implement, and maintain standard work documentation.

Interpersonal Skills

• Self-motivated learner with a commitment to continuous personal and professional development.
• Ability to energize, engage, and motivate teams toward achieving organizational goals.
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to facilitate change and drive adoption of new processes and behaviors.
• Ability to recognize conflict, address issues appropriately, and act within the scope of the role.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

• Ability to identify problem areas, gather and analyze data, and develop fact-based solutions.
• Capable of interpreting technical processes and operational workflows.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Effective critical thinking and decision-making capabilities.

Computer Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including:
  • Excel
  • Word
  • PowerPoint
  • Visio
• Ability to leverage technology and reporting tools to support continuous improvement initiatives.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field required; equivalent education and experience may be considered.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in Business Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence (OpEx), or Lean implementation.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, continuous improvement methodologies, and related tools.
• Experience operating within a world-class Lean environment preferred.
• Operations, Manufacturing, or Engineering background preferred.
• Experience facilitating improvement projects, Kaizen events, and process optimization initiatives is highly desirable.