Quality - Continuous Improvement Manager

Continuous Improvement Team Leader

Asten Johnson | Clinton, South Carolina
Full-Time | Salaried Exempt

Are you a manufacturing leader who sees opportunities where others see problems? Do you enjoy digging into data, finding the true root cause of an issue, developing people and turning improvement ideas into measurable results?

Asten Johnson is seeking a Continuous Improvement Team Leader for our Clinton, South Carolina manufacturing facility. This is a highly visible leadership role for someone who wants to make a meaningful impact on product quality, process capability, efficiency, customer satisfaction and overall site performance.

You won't simply manage improvement projects. You'll lead the Continuous Improvement function
, develop your team, partner closely with Manufacturing and help shape how our Clinton operation performs and improves.

Asten Johnson has a history in the paper industry dating back to 1790
, and today our products support pulp and paper manufacturers around the world. Paper makers in more than 56 countries rely on Asten Johnson products and technical expertise.

We combine the resources and opportunities of a global organization with the teamwork and hands-on environment of a manufacturing site.

At our Clinton facility, you'll join a team focused on Safety, Quality, On-Time Delivery, Productivity and Innovation
. Safety is a core value, supported by our Zero Accident Culture built around accountability, commitment and trust.

Asten Johnson also offers eligible Associates a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) with a 100% company match on Associate contributions up to 6%
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Health and wellness programs
• Employee Assistance Program
• Additional voluntary benefit options and wellness incentives

As the Continuous Improvement Team Leader, you'll lead the people, processes and initiatives that help make our operation better.

You'll:

• Lead, coach and develop the Continuous Improvement Team
  , creating accountability for execution and measurable results.
• Own the site's Lean/Continuous Improvement program
  , establishing a strong cadence for projects, reviews, follow-up and sustained improvement.
• Use manufacturing and quality data to identify opportunities to reduce waste, process variation and product variation
  .
• Lead root-cause investigations into off-spec product and process issues and drive sustainable corrective actions.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing to improve product quality, repeatability, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Serve as a knowledgeable connection between field Associates and the Clinton Continuous Improvement team regarding product issues and improvement opportunities.
• Provide technical support to site operations and product management.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's ISO Quality System
  .
• Support capital planning related to equipment, process and quality improvements.
• Participate as a member of the site's Operations Business Team (OBT).
• Help manage materials, supplier relationships, obsolescence planning and variant control.
• Strengthen SOPs and workforce development efforts to improve process and product repeatability.
• Coordinate key trials, product and process modifications, and new product launches with product managers and designers.
• Provide meaningful reports, statistics and analysis that help leadership understand improvement performance and make informed decisions.
• Encourage Associate involvement and create an environment where ideas, problem-solving and continuous improvement are part of how we work every day.
• Actively support Asten Johnson's safety culture and demonstrate safe leadership in everything you do.

Occasional travel to other Asten Johnson locations and customer mills may be required.

We're looking for a leader who combines technical manufacturing knowledge, analytical thinking and the ability to develop people and drive accountability
.

Our ideal candidate brings:

• Strong Paper Machine Clothing (PMC) manufacturing experience preferred; significant industrial textile manufacturing experience may also be considered.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a manufacturing environment with a record of improving quality, processes and measurable business results.
• Strong analytical skills and…