Kaizen Promotion Office; KPO Manager

Adi Development Group is a vertically integrated real estate investment management company with divisions spanning investment management, development, construction management, and forming operations. With over 4,000 units and $3B of built value under development throughout the GTHA, we are on an insurgent mission to reinvent the customer experience and deliver homes faster, better, and more cost effectively. We champion ownership and encourage our team members to think and act like owners, while developing the next generation of leaders.

Adi has built and refined a management system that connects strategy deployment to daily execution. As we scale, we are strengthening the Kaizen Promotion Office (KPO) to embed continuous improvement more deeply into how work gets done across the organization.

The KPO Manager is a hands‑on leader responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives across the business and developing problem‑solving capability at the front line and mid‑management levels. Reporting into senior operational or CI leadership, this role focuses on execution, coaching, and delivery—translating strategy into practical improvements through disciplined lean practices.

This role is ideal for a seasoned lean practitioner who thrives at gemba, can lead kaizen activity end to end, and enjoys developing others while delivering measurable operational results.

• Support the deployment of strategic priorities into operational improvement initiatives. Facilitate A3 problem‑solving with leaders and teams, support review and follow‑up cycles, and help ensure alignment between objectives, metrics, and daily management.

• Lead value stream mapping and process improvement efforts within assigned functions or projects. Apply root cause analysis, data analysis, standardized work, visual management, and KPI development to improve quality, reduce waste, and shorten lead times.

• Plan, facilitate, and follow through on kaizen events using the shingi model. Own preparation, scoping, execution, and sustainment for assigned kaizens. Ensure improvements translate into measurable performance gains and that participants build lasting problem‑solving capability.

• Design, implement, and coach teams on daily management systems, including tiered meetings, visual boards, and standard work for leaders. Reinforce discipline and consistency to ensure improvements are sustained.

• Coach team members and leaders at gemba on lean thinking, structured problem‑solving, and continuous improvement behaviors. Mentor participants through A3s and improvement work, building confidence and capability over time.

• Contribute as a core member of the Kaizen Promotion Office. Support the development of junior CI team members, share best practices, and help evolve KPO standards, tools, and ways of working as the organization grows.

• 7–12 years of progressive experience in continuous improvement / lean roles
• Demonstrated experience leading kaizen events and improvement initiatives in operational environments
• Experience applying value stream mapping, A3 problem‑solving, daily management, and standard work
• Exposure to construction, manufacturing, or other operationally intensive industries strongly preferred

• Strong working knowledge of lean principles, QC tools, and problem‑solving methodologies
• Ability to facilitate groups, coach leaders, and influence without formal authority
• Practical, results‑oriented mindset with the ability to connect improvement work to business outcomes
  
  Strong communication skills and emotional intelligence; credible with frontline teams and managers alike
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and driving execution in evolving environments

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Management, or related discipline required
• Lean Silver or Gold certification (AME/SME/Shingo Alliance or equivalent)
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• TWI (Job Instruction, Job Relations, or Job…