Continuous Improvement Manager 80 - 100% (f/m/d)

The opportunity

Are you passionate about driving operational excellence and creating measurable impact on the shop floor? As Continuous Improvement Manager, you will partner with factory and operations leaders to identify improvement opportunities, remove bottlenecks, and implement Lean Six Sigma initiatives across the value chain. This is a highly visible role where you will coach teams, lead transformational projects, and help shape a culture of continuous improvement across our manufacturing operations.

How you'll make an impact

• Act as a trusted Continuous Improvement advisor and sparring partner for Factory Managers, Operations Managers, and leadership teams, driving data-driven analyses, optimization initiatives, and operational excellence programs
• Work across the entire value chain to identify bottlenecks, remove constraints, improve flow, and maximize overall business performance
• Maintain a strong shop-floor presence through regular Gemba activities, working side-by-side with operators, supervisors, and managers to identify opportunities, solve problems, and sustain improvements where value is created
• Drive and promote Kaizen Events and Rapid Improvement Workshops to accelerate problem-solving, eliminate waste, and deliver fast, sustainable results
• Train, coach, and mentor employees and leaders in Lean Six Sigma methodologies, supporting certification programs and building continuous improvement capabilities throughout the organization
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to map, analyze, redesign, and optimize end-to-end business processes
• Lead the deployment of Lean principles, standardization, best practices, and benchmarking activities across manufacturing sites
• Monitor, track, and communicate improvement program results through KPIs, ensuring sustainable implementation and measurable business impact
• Travel regularly to support factories, conduct workshops, coach teams, and drive improvement initiatives across the organization (minimum 20% travel required)

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, or Process Engineering, with proven hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment. Factory experience is mandatory
• Strong understanding and practical application of Lean Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt required, Black Belt preferred)
• Proven experience leading Kaizen Events, Gemba activities, process mapping, value stream analysis, root cause analysis, and change management initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to identify bottlenecks, remove constraints, and improve end-to-end value stream performance
• Strong communication, facilitation, training, and presentation skills, with experience delivering workshops and Lean Six Sigma certification programs
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills
• Self-driven, hands-on, and comfortable working on the shop floor alongside production teams to deliver sustainable improvements
• Willingness to travel regularly to support factories and improvement initiatives across the region (minimum 20% travel required)
• Fluent in English; German or Swedish is considered an advantage