Continuous Improvement Manager | Traverse City, MI

Salary Range: $86,000 - $132,000 depending on experience

Are you a dedicated professional with a passion for driving operational efficiency and eliminating waste? The Pivot Group is committed to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career growth. We partner with leading manufacturing companies in Traverse City, seeking experienced Continuous Improvement Managers to strengthen their teams.

The Opportunity

We collaborate with manufacturing companies in the Traverse City region seeking Continuous Improvement Managers. These employers partner with us because they want real insight into candidates—not just resumes. By joining our network, you gain access to roles worth considering.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage continuous improvement projects (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) across manufacturing operations.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and efficiency gains within production.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standard work procedures and best practices.
• Train, coach, and mentor employees at all levels on CI methodologies and tools.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the effectiveness and ROI of improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams to drive problem-solving and implement sustainable solutions.
• Champion and embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Recommended Qualifications

• Proven experience (5+ years) in Continuous Improvement roles within a manufacturing environment.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) or Green Belt (LSSGB) with demonstrated project leadership.
• Expertise in Lean methodologies including Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and root cause analysis.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of successfully implementing CI initiatives and driving measurable results.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) implementation.
• Certification in a recognized change management methodology (e.g., PROSCI, ADKAR).
• Proficiency with simulation software (e.g., Arena, AnyLogic) for process modeling.
• Knowledge of Theory of Constraints (TOC) principles and application.
• Experience integrating Continuous Improvement initiatives with Industry 4.0 or automation projects.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Continuous Improvement Manager, Process Improvement Manager, Lean Six Sigma Manager, Operational Excellence Manager, Business Process Improvement Manager, CI Manager, Process Excellence Manager, Operations Improvement Manager, Continuous Improvement Lead, Performance Improvement Manager, Efficiency Manager

Why Pivot Group

The Pivot Group was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out. The Pivot Group offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.