Continuous Improvement Manager

Join the Associated Materials Innovations team at Associated Materials, LLC, and be AMazing with us!

At Associated Materials Innovations, we combine our rich history in innovation with an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement of the customer experience. For decades, we have provided vinyl windows, siding, and metal building products that have helped build homes and communities across North America.

As a leading manufacturer of exterior building products and preferred product manufacturer for Alside, you'll have the opportunity to contribute ideas in a welcoming and supportive work environment driven by safety and our core values. Join the AMI team where you can be AMazing as we shape our future together.

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence across the manufacturing network through Lean, Six Sigma, and standardized work methodologies. This role reports to the plant manager and focuses on reducing waste, improving equipment performance, optimizing labor efficiency, and strengthening safety and quality results.

The CI Manager partners closely with Plant Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and HR to ensure manufacturing processes are stable, repeatable, and continuously improving.

The ideal candidate has strong shopfloor presence, understands production flow and equipment constraints, and can translate Lean tools into practical, effective solutions for frontline teams.

• Lead the development and deployment of the Continuous Improvement strategy across the manufacturing plant.
• Align CI initiatives with plant KPIs, including OEE, scrap, rework, throughput, changeover time, cost per unit, and labor utilization
  .
• Serve as the plant's Lean/Operational Excellence champion
  , modeling disciplined problem-solving and data driven decision-making.
• Partner with Plant Manager and leadership team to prioritize high impact CI projects that improve productivity, quality, and safety.

• Conduct value stream mapping to identify bottlenecks, material flow issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead Kaizen events focused on:
• Reducing scrap and defects
• Minimizing downtime and changeover duration (SMED)
• Improving equipment reliability in partnership with Maintenance/Engineering
• Optimizing labor balance and standard work
• Implement 5S and visual management systems on production lines to improve consistency and reduce waste.
• Analyze production data to identify performance gaps and develop corrective action plans.

• Partner with Maintenance and Engineering to support TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) programs.
• Identify root causes of downtime using tools such as 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, FMEA
  , and implement countermeasures.
• Support implementation of automation, ergonomic improvements, and other technologies that increase line efficiency.

• Train plant employees--including operators, leads, supervisors, and engineers in Lean tools (5S, standard work, Kanban, problem-solving).
• Mentor Green Belt/Yellow Belt project leaders and support their certification progress.
• Work with HR and Operations leadership to integrate CI thinking into onboarding, new supervisor training, and ongoing plant development programs.

• Define, measure, and report CI results in areas such as: (Examples only)
• OEE (Availability, Performance, Quality)
• Scrap and material yield
• Process cycle time and lead time
• Labor productivity and utilization
• Safety improvements / near-miss reduction
• Maintain a CI project portfolio, scorecard, and regular reporting cadence with plant leadership and corporate operations.

• Lead change-management efforts to ensure new processes are adopted and sustained.
• Coach supervisors and frontline leads to reinforce standard work and daily management practices.
• Promote a culture where operators are engaged, empowered, and encouraged to identify improvement ideas.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, or…