Continuous Improvement Leader

Kalkaska, MI
• Full-time
• Posted February 15, 2026

Continuous Improvement Leader role at Wayne Wire's Northwest Michigan headquarters, leading hands-on process improvement across multiple manufacturing facilities. Offers strong benefits and growth stability in a long-standing manufacturing environment, ideal for candidates with lean/CI experience who can drive waste reduction, quality, productivity, and safety improvements across operations.

Wayne Wire is currently seeking a Continuous Improvement Leader for our Northwest Michigan headquarters!

The Continuous Improvement Leader position at Wayne Wire is key part of our management team, and leads all aspects of manufacturing continuous improvement for a multi facility operation.

Medical Insurance PPO (all plans with BCBS)

Vision (VSP)

Flex Spending Account

HSA

Company Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability

Company Paid Life Insurance and more

401K with company match, as well as Profit Sharing program.

We have been growing our business for over 80 years
! We manufacture custom filtration products for global customers in almost every industry. Industries include aerospace, automotive, commercial, medical, refrigeration, marine, and more. The world runs on Wayne Wire filters!

The Continuous Improvement Leader provides support and direction to the continuous improvement team.

Key responsibilities include:

Lead, facilitate, and drive projects and teams with hands-on approach
, which identify and eliminate waste or reduce process variability.

Analyze and implement current global manufacturing processes within our production facilities.

Share information with/gather input from other Manufacturing team members.

Identify productivity issues as relates to quality, cost, timing and environment.

Validate productivity processes

Work with purchasing for sourcing strategy decision.

Identify root causes of quality problems and determine solutions.

Document improvements to manufacturing efficiencies, Takt time, floor space utilization, and overhead.

Evaluate existing machinery and processes and recommend improvements that enhance both operator performance and ergonomics/safety of the overall operation.

Be able to effectively utilize resources that are not directly under her/his control to achieve both individual and team goals.

Find opportunities to create poka-yoke fixtures, improve worker ergonomics, implement minor design changes, etc.

Lead work transfer projects to balance workload and increase customer satisfaction.

Other various duties as required.

AS9100 and NADCAP experience a plus

Experience with metals and wire mesh manufacturing processes a plus

Approaches work in a meticulous and thorough manner.

Be able to effectively multi-task and prioritize.

Exceptional and active communications skills.

Competently analyzes and prioritizes information to make appropriate recommendation.

Experience analyzing complex functions, procedures, and problems to find creative, logical, and effective solutions.

Able to systematically analyze and evaluate problems in business operations.

Ability to expand job responsibilities, suggests improvements, and collaborates with others to generate ideas and improve processes.

Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job.

Familiar with the principles of lean manufacturing.

Ability to write manufacturing control plans.

Experience in a manufacturing environment.

Knowledge of manufacturing methods and procedures

The Northern Michigan area provides individuals and families with an outstanding quality of life, and limitless recreational opportunities. We offer an excellent benefit package to include health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short and long term disability, flexible spending plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, tuition reimbursement, 401K plan with a company match, and a discretionary profit sharing plan.

You should be proficient in:

Bachelor's Degree

Data Analysis and Manipulation

Troubleshooting Skills

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)

Process Engineering

Quality Control Experience

Lean Manufacturing Principles

Six Sigma Experience

ISO 9001 Certification Experience

National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP)